Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
The King Rides Into Jerusalem On a Donkey, As Predicted In Zechariah
21 And when they drew-near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent forth two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Proceed to the village before you, and immediately you will find a donkey having been tied, and a colt with her. Having untied them, bring them to Me. 3 And if someone says something to you, you shall say that ‘The Lord has need of them’, and immediately he will send them forth”. 4 Now this has taken place in order that the thing might be fulfilled having been spoken through the prophet saying: 5 “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you— gentle, and mounted upon a donkey, even upon a colt, a foal of a beast-of-burden’” [Zech 9:9]. 6 And the disciples— having proceeded, and having done just as Jesus directed them— 7 brought the donkey and the colt. And they put their cloaks on them. And He sat on them[a]. 8 And most-of the crowd[b] spread their cloaks in the road. And others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. 9 And the crowds going ahead of Him, and the ones following Him, were crying out, saying, “Hosanna[c] to the Son of David. Blessed is the One coming in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest [heavens]”.
The King Arrives In Jerusalem, And The Whole City Is Shaken
10 And He having entered into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken[d], saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee”.
Think And Behave Like Christ Did
5 Be thinking[a] this in you, which also was in Christ Jesus— 6 Who, while[b] being[c] in the form[d] of God, did not regard the being equal with God a thing-to-be-grasped[e], 7 but emptied Himself, having taken the form of a slave, having come[f] in the likeness[g] of humans[h]. And having been found as a man in outward-appearance, 8 He humbled Himself, having become obedient to the point of death— and a death of a cross! 9 Therefore God also highly-exalted Him, and granted Him the name above every name 10 in-order-that every knee should bow at the name of Jesus— of heavenly ones and earthly ones and ones under-the-earth— 11 and every tongue should confess-out[i] that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus Is Betrayed By One of The Twelve
14 Then one of the twelve, the one being called Judas Iscariot, having gone to the chief priests, 15 said, “What are you willing to give me, and I will hand Him over to you?” And the ones set[a] thirty silver-coins for him. 16 And from that time on, he was seeking a favorable-opportunity in order that he might hand Him over.
Jesus Celebrates Passover With The Twelve
17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened-Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover [meal]?” 18 And the One said, “Go into the city to so-and-so[b], and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I am doing[c] the Passover [meal] with you, along-with My disciples”’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus directed them. And they prepared the Passover [meal]. 20 And having become evening, He was reclining back [to eat] with the twelve.
The Betrayer Is Exposed
21 And while they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will hand Me over”. 22 And while being extremely grieved, each one began to say to Him, “I am not the one, am I, Lord?” 23 And the One, having responded, said, “The one having dipped his hand with[d] Me in the bowl— this one will hand Me over. 24 The Son of Man is going just as it has been written about Him— but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is being handed-over! It would have been better for him if that man had not been born”. 25 And having responded, Judas, the one handing Him over, said, “I am not[e] the one, am I, Rabbi?” He says to him, “You said[f] it ”.
The Bread And The Wine Are Given a New Meaning
26 And while they were eating, having taken bread and having blessed it [g], Jesus broke it. And having given it to the disciples, He said, “Take, eat. This is My body”. 27 And having taken a cup and given-thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, everyone. 28 For this is My blood of [h] the covenant— the blood being poured-out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 And I say to you, I will by-no-means drink of this fruit of the grapevine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of My Father”.
You Will All Be Scattered In Fulfillment of Zechariah. Peter’s Denial Is Predicted
30 And having sung-a-hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus says to them, “You all will be caused-to-fall in-connection-with Me[i] during this night. For it has been written [in Zech 13:7]: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered’. 32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee”. 33 But having responded, Peter said to Him, “If all[j] will be caused-to-fall in connection with You, I will never be caused to fall”. 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that during this night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three-times”. 35 Peter says to Him, “Even if I have-to die with You, I will never deny You”. All the disciples also spoke likewise.
Jesus Waits And Prays In The Garden of Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus comes with them to a place being called Gethsemane. And He says to the disciples, “Sit here while[k] I pray, having gone there”. 37 And having taken-along Peter and the two sons[l] of Zebedee, He began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He says to them, “My soul is deeply-grieved, to the point of death. Stay here and keep-watching with Me”. 39 And having gone ahead a little, He fell on His face while praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I want[m], but as You want ”. 40 And He comes to the disciples and finds them sleeping. And He says to Peter, “So were you[n] [three] not strong-enough[o] to keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep watching, and be praying that[p] you may not enter into temptation[q]. The spirit is willing[r], but the flesh is weak”. 42 Again having gone away for a second time, He prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, let Your will be done”. 43 And having come, He again found them sleeping. For their eyes had been weighed-down. 44 And having left them again, having gone away, He prayed for a third time, having spoken the same thing[s] again. 45 Then He comes to the disciples and says to them, “Are you sleeping and resting[t] from-now-on[u]? Behold— the hour has drawn-near, and the Son of Man is being handed-over into the hands of sinners. 46 Arise, let us be going. Behold— the one handing Me over has drawn near”.
Jesus Is Betrayed With a Kiss And Arrested
47 And while He was still speaking, behold— Judas, one of the twelve, came. And with him was a large crowd from the chief priests and elders of the people with swords and clubs. 48 Now the one handing Him over gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss is He. Seize Him”. 49 And immediately having gone to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi”, and kissed Him. 50 And Jesus said to him, “Friend, it is for what[v] you are here”. Then, having come to Him, they put their hands on Jesus and seized Him. 51 And behold— one of the ones with Jesus, having stretched-out his hand, withdrew his sword. And having struck the slave of the high priest, he took-off his ear. 52 Then Jesus says to him, “Return your sword into its place. For all the ones having taken the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think[w] that I am not able to appeal-to My Father, and He will provide[x] Me right-now more than twelve legions[y] of angels? 54 How then would the Scriptures saying that it must take place in this manner be fulfilled?” 55 At that hour, Jesus said to the crowds, “Did you come out to arrest Me with swords and clubs as-if against a robber? Daily I was sitting in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. 56 But this entire thing has taken place in order that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled”. Then all the disciples, having left[z] Him, fled.
Jesus Is Led Before The High Priest And The Sanhedrin. Peter Follows
57 Now the ones having seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 And Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest. And having entered inside, he was sitting with the officers[aa] to see the outcome.
Jesus Swears Under Oath That He Is The Messiah, The Son of God
59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false-testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 And they did not find it, many false-witnesses having come-forward. But finally, two having come-forward 61 said, “This One said, ‘I am able to tear-down the temple of God, and to build it in three days’”. 62 And having stood up, the high priest said to Him, “Are You answering nothing? What is it these[ab] ones are testifying against You?” 63 But Jesus was being silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I am putting You under oath[ac] by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God”. 64 Jesus says to him, “You said[ad] it. Nevertheless, I say to you— from-now-on[ae] you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right side of the Power[af], and coming on the clouds[ag] of heaven”. 65 Then the high priest tore his garments, saying, “He blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See— now you heard the blasphemy. 66 What seems right to you?” And the ones, having responded, said, “He is subject-to[ah] death!” 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him. And the[ai] ones slapped Him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ— who is the one having hit You?”
Peter Denies That He Even Knows Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And one servant-girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean”. 70 But the one denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are saying”. 71 And he having gone out to the gate[aj], another saw him. And she says to the ones there, “This one was with Jesus the Nazarene”. 72 And again he denied it with an oath that “I do not know the man”. 73 And having come to him after a little while, the ones standing there said to Peter, “Truly you also are one of them, for even your speaking[ak] makes you evident”. 74 Then he began to curse[al], and to swear-with-an-oath[am] that “I do not know the man”. And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken[an]— that “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three-times”. And having gone outside, he wept bitterly.
Jesus Is Led Before The Roman Governor, Pilate
27 Now having become early-morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus so as to put Him to death. 2 And having bound Him, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.
The Betrayer Kills Himself
3 Then Judas (the one handing Him over)— having seen that He was condemned, having regretted it— returned the thirty silver-coins to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I sinned, having handed-over innocent blood!” But the ones said, “What is it to us? You shall see to it”. 5 And having thrown the silver-coins into[ao] the temple, he departed. And having gone away, he hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, having taken the silver-coins, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple-treasury, since it is the price of blood”. 7 And having taken counsel, they bought the field of the potter with[ap] them, for a burial-place for strangers. 8 For this reason[aq], that field was called the Field of Blood up to today. 9 Then the thing was fulfilled having been spoken through Jeremiah[ar] the prophet saying “And they took the thirty silver-coins— the price of the One having been priced[as], Whom they from the sons of Israel priced— 10 and they gave them for the field of the potter, just as the Lord directed me”.
The Roman Governor Offers To Free Jesus, But The Crowd Demands He Be Crucified
11 Now Jesus was stood[at] in front of the governor. And the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said, “You are saying[au] it”. 12 And during His being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. 13 Then Pilate says to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?” 14 And He did not answer him with-regard-to even one charge[av], so that the governor was marveling greatly. 15 Now at the Feast, the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd one prisoner whom they were wanting. 16 And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner being called Jesus[aw] Barabbas. 17 So they[ax] having been gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus, the One being called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they[ay] handed Him over because of envy. 19 And while he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent out a message to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous[az] One. For I suffered greatly today in a dream because of Him”. 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should ask-for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 Now having responded, the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And the ones said, “Barabbas”. 22 Pilate says to them, “Then what should I do as to Jesus, the One being called Christ?” They all say, “Let Him be crucified!” 23 But the one said, “What indeed[ba] did He do wrong?” But the ones were crying out even more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” 24 And Pilate— having seen that he[bb] is profiting nothing, but rather an uproar is taking place— having taken water, washed-off his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood[bc] of this One. You shall see to it. 25 And having responded, all the people said, “His blood be upon us and upon our children”. 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But having flogged[bd] Jesus, he handed Him over in order that He might be crucified.
The King of The Jews Is Mocked, Spit On, Beaten And Crucified
27 Then the soldiers of the governor, having taken Jesus into the Praetorium[be], gathered the whole [Roman] cohort[bf] to[bg] Him. 28 And having stripped Him, they put a scarlet cloak[bh] on Him. 29 And having woven a crown out of thorns, they put it on His head, and they put a staff [bi] in His right hand. And having knelt in front of Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail[bj], King of the Jews!” 30 And having spat on Him, they took the staff and were striking Him on His head. 31 And when they mocked Him, they stripped the cloak off Him and put His garments on Him. And they led Him away so as to crucify Him. 32 And while going forth, they found a Cyrenian[bk] man, Simon by name. They pressed this one into service in order that he might take-up His cross. 33 And having come to a place being called Golgotha[bl] (which is meaning “The Place of a Skull”), 34 they gave Him wine having been mixed with gall[bm] to drink. And having tasted it, He did not want to drink. 35 And having crucified Him, they divided His garments among themselves, casting a lot. 36 And sitting-down, they were guarding Him there. 37 And above His head they put on His charge, having been written, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”. 38 Then two robbers[bn] are crucified with Him, one on the right side and one on the left side.
The King of Israel Is Mocked While Hanging On The Cross
39 And the ones passing by were blaspheming Him while shaking their heads 40 and saying, “The One tearing-down the temple and building it in three days, save Yourself— if [bo] You are God’s Son— and come down from the cross”. 41 Likewise also the chief priests, mocking Him with the scribes and elders, were saying, 42 “He saved others— Himself He is not able to save! He is King of Israel— let Him come down now from the cross and we will put-faith upon Him! 43 He trusts in God— let Him deliver Him now, if He wants[bp] Him. For He said that ‘I am God’s Son’”. 44 And even[bq] the robbers, the ones having been crucified with Him, were reproaching Him the same.
Jesus Dies
45 And from the sixth hour, a darkness came over all the land[br] until the ninth[bs] hour. 46 And around the ninth hour Jesus shouted-out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”, that is, “My God, My God, why[bt] did you forsake[bu] Me?” 47 And some of the ones standing there, having heard, were saying that “This One is calling Elijah”. 48 And immediately one of them— having run, and having taken a sponge, and having filled it with sour-wine[bv], and having put it on a stick[bw]— was giving-a-drink-to Him. 49 But the others were saying, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him”. 50 And Jesus, again having cried-out[bx] with a loud voice, let His spirit go[by].
The Temple Curtain Is Torn. The Earth Quakes. Tombs Are Opened, Bodies Raised
51 And behold— the curtain of the temple was torn[bz] in two from top to bottom. And the earth was shaken and the rocks were split. 52 And the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints having fallen-asleep were raised. 53 And having come out from the tombs after[ca] His resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 And the centurion and the ones with him guarding Jesus— having seen the earthquake and the things having taken place— became extremely afraid, saying, “Truly this One was God’s[cb] Son!”
Many Women Followers of Jesus Watch At a Distance
55 And many women were there watching at a distance, who followed Jesus from Galilee while serving Him, 56 among whom was Mary the Magdalene[cc], and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother[cd] of the sons of Zebedee.
Jesus Is Laid In a Rich Man’s Tomb
57 Now having become evening[ce], a rich man from Arimathea came, Joseph as to the-name, who also himself became-a-disciple to Jesus. 58 This one, having gone to Pilate, asked-for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered that it be given-back. 59 And having taken the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen-cloth 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he hewed in the rock. And having rolled a large stone to the door of the tomb, he departed. 61 And Mary the Magdalene was there, and the other[cf] Mary, sitting in front of the burial-place.
The Tomb Is Secured And Roman Guards Posted
62 Now on the next-day[cg] which is after the Preparation[ch] day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together with Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remembered that that deceiver said while still alive, ‘I am arising after three days’. 64 Therefore, give-orders that the burial-place be made-secure until the third day, so that His disciples, having come, might not at any time steal Him and say to the people, ‘He arose from the dead’, and the last deception will be worse than the first”. 65 Pilate said to them, “Have[ci] a guard[cj]. Go, make it secure as you know-how”. 66 And the ones, having gone, made the burial-place secure, having sealed the stone along-with[ck] the guard.
The Roman Governor Offers To Free Jesus, But The Crowd Demands He Be Crucified
11 Now Jesus was stood[a] in front of the governor. And the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said, “You are saying[b] it”. 12 And during His being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. 13 Then Pilate says to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?” 14 And He did not answer him with-regard-to even one charge[c], so that the governor was marveling greatly. 15 Now at the Feast, the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd one prisoner whom they were wanting. 16 And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner being called Jesus[d] Barabbas. 17 So they[e] having been gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus, the One being called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they[f] handed Him over because of envy. 19 And while he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent out a message to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous[g] One. For I suffered greatly today in a dream because of Him”. 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should ask-for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 Now having responded, the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And the ones said, “Barabbas”. 22 Pilate says to them, “Then what should I do as to Jesus, the One being called Christ?” They all say, “Let Him be crucified!” 23 But the one said, “What indeed[h] did He do wrong?” But the ones were crying out even more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” 24 And Pilate— having seen that he[i] is profiting nothing, but rather an uproar is taking place— having taken water, washed-off his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood[j] of this One. You shall see to it. 25 And having responded, all the people said, “His blood be upon us and upon our children”. 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But having flogged[k] Jesus, he handed Him over in order that He might be crucified.
The King of The Jews Is Mocked, Spit On, Beaten And Crucified
27 Then the soldiers of the governor, having taken Jesus into the Praetorium[l], gathered the whole [Roman] cohort[m] to[n] Him. 28 And having stripped Him, they put a scarlet cloak[o] on Him. 29 And having woven a crown out of thorns, they put it on His head, and they put a staff [p] in His right hand. And having knelt in front of Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail[q], King of the Jews!” 30 And having spat on Him, they took the staff and were striking Him on His head. 31 And when they mocked Him, they stripped the cloak off Him and put His garments on Him. And they led Him away so as to crucify Him. 32 And while going forth, they found a Cyrenian[r] man, Simon by name. They pressed this one into service in order that he might take-up His cross. 33 And having come to a place being called Golgotha[s] (which is meaning “The Place of a Skull”), 34 they gave Him wine having been mixed with gall[t] to drink. And having tasted it, He did not want to drink. 35 And having crucified Him, they divided His garments among themselves, casting a lot. 36 And sitting-down, they were guarding Him there. 37 And above His head they put on His charge, having been written, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews”. 38 Then two robbers[u] are crucified with Him, one on the right side and one on the left side.
The King of Israel Is Mocked While Hanging On The Cross
39 And the ones passing by were blaspheming Him while shaking their heads 40 and saying, “The One tearing-down the temple and building it in three days, save Yourself— if [v] You are God’s Son— and come down from the cross”. 41 Likewise also the chief priests, mocking Him with the scribes and elders, were saying, 42 “He saved others— Himself He is not able to save! He is King of Israel— let Him come down now from the cross and we will put-faith upon Him! 43 He trusts in God— let Him deliver Him now, if He wants[w] Him. For He said that ‘I am God’s Son’”. 44 And even[x] the robbers, the ones having been crucified with Him, were reproaching Him the same.
Jesus Dies
45 And from the sixth hour, a darkness came over all the land[y] until the ninth[z] hour. 46 And around the ninth hour Jesus shouted-out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”, that is, “My God, My God, why[aa] did you forsake[ab] Me?” 47 And some of the ones standing there, having heard, were saying that “This One is calling Elijah”. 48 And immediately one of them— having run, and having taken a sponge, and having filled it with sour-wine[ac], and having put it on a stick[ad]— was giving-a-drink-to Him. 49 But the others were saying, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him”. 50 And Jesus, again having cried-out[ae] with a loud voice, let His spirit go[af].
The Temple Curtain Is Torn. The Earth Quakes. Tombs Are Opened, Bodies Raised
51 And behold— the curtain of the temple was torn[ag] in two from top to bottom. And the earth was shaken and the rocks were split. 52 And the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints having fallen-asleep were raised. 53 And having come out from the tombs after[ah] His resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 And the centurion and the ones with him guarding Jesus— having seen the earthquake and the things having taken place— became extremely afraid, saying, “Truly this One was God’s[ai] Son!”
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing