Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
19 Open the gates of righteousness for me;
I will enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.(A)
20 This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous will enter through it.(B)
21 I will give thanks to You
because You have answered me
and have become my salvation.(C)
22 The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.(D)
23 This came from the Lord;
it is wonderful in our eyes.(E)
24 This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.(F)
25 Lord, save us!
Lord, please grant us success!(G)
26 He who comes in the name
of the Lord is blessed.(H)
From the house of the Lord we bless you.(I)
27 The Lord is God and has given us light.
Bind the festival sacrifice with cords
to the horns of the altar.(J)
28 You are my God, and I will give You thanks.
You are my God; I will exalt You.(K)
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.(L)
The Triumphal Entry
11 When(A) they approached Jerusalem,(B) at Bethphage and Bethany(C) near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples 2 and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you will find a young donkey tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here right away.’”
4 So they went and found a young donkey outside in the street, tied by a door. They untied it, 5 and some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the donkey?” 6 They answered them just as Jesus had said, so they let them go. 7 Then they brought the donkey to Jesus and threw their robes on it, and He sat on it.
8 Many people spread their robes on the road,(D) and others spread leafy branches cut from the fields.[a] 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed kept shouting:
Hosanna!
He who comes in the name(E)
of the Lord is the blessed One!(F)[b]
10 The coming kingdom(G)
of our father David(H) is blessed!
Hosanna(I) in the highest heaven!
11 And He went into Jerusalem(J) and into the temple complex.(K) After looking around at everything, since it was already late, He went out to Bethany(L) with the Twelve.
The Triumphal Entry
12 The(A) next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 they took palm branches(B) and went out to meet Him. They kept shouting: “Hosanna!(C) He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One(D)[a]—the King of Israel!”(E)
14 Jesus found a young donkey(F) and sat on it, just as it is written: 15 Fear no more,(G) Daughter Zion. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.(H)[b]
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first. However, when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about Him(I) and that they had done these things to Him.
The Obedient Servant
4 The Lord God has given Me
the tongue of those who are instructed(A)
to know how to sustain the weary with a word.
He awakens Me each morning;
He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.(B)
5 The Lord God has opened My ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I did not turn back.(C)
6 I gave My back to those who beat Me,
and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard.
I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting.(D)
7 The Lord God will help Me;
therefore I have not been humiliated;
therefore I have set My face like flint,(E)
and I know I will not be put to shame.
8 The One who vindicates Me is near;(F)
who will contend with Me?
Let us confront each other.[a]
Who has a case against Me?[b]
Let him come near Me!
9 In truth, the Lord God will help Me;
who will condemn Me?(G)
Indeed, all of them will wear out like a garment;
a moth will devour them.(H)
9 Be gracious to me, Lord,
because I am in distress;(A)
my eyes are worn out from angry sorrow—
my whole being[a] as well.(B)
10 Indeed, my life is consumed with grief
and my years with groaning;(C)
my strength has failed
because of my sinfulness,[b]
and my bones waste away.(D)
11 I am ridiculed by all my adversaries
and even by my neighbors.
I am dreaded by my acquaintances;
those who see me in the street run from me.(E)
12 I am forgotten: gone from memory
like a dead person—like broken pottery.(F)
13 I have heard the gossip of many;
terror is on every side.(G)
When they conspired against me,
they plotted to take my life.(H)
Christ’s Humility and Exaltation
5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God(A)
as something to be used for His own advantage.[a]
7 Instead He emptied Himself(B)
by assuming the form of a slave,(C)
taking on the likeness of men.(D)
And when He had come as a man
in His external form,
8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.(E)
9 For this reason God highly exalted Him(F)
and gave Him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow(G)—
of those who are in heaven(H) and on earth
and under the earth(I)—
11 and every tongue(J) should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,[b]
to the glory(K) of God the Father.
The Plot to Kill Jesus
14 After(A) two days it was the Passover(B) and the Festival(C) of Unleavened Bread.(D) The chief priests and the scribes(E) were looking for a treacherous(F) way to arrest and kill Him.(G) 2 “Not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be rioting among the people.”
The Anointing at Bethany
3 While(H) He was in Bethany(I) at the house of Simon who had a serious skin disease,(J) as He was reclining at the table,(K) a woman came with an alabaster jar of pure and expensive fragrant oil of nard. She broke the jar and poured it on His head.(L) 4 But some were expressing indignation to one another: “Why has this fragrant oil been wasted? 5 For this oil might have been sold for more than 300 denarii(M) and given to the poor.”(N) And they began to scold her.
6 Then Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a noble thing(O) for Me. 7 You always have the poor(P) with you, and you can do what is good for them whenever you want, but you do not always have Me.(Q) 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body(R) in advance for burial.(S) 9 I assure you:(T) Wherever the gospel(U) is proclaimed in the whole world,(V) what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”
10 Then(W) Judas Iscariot,(X) one of the Twelve,(Y) went to the chief priests(Z) to hand Him over(AA) to them. 11 And when they heard this, they were glad and promised to give him silver.[a](AB) So he started looking for a good opportunity to betray(AC) Him.
Preparation for Passover
12 On(AD) the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb,(AE) His disciples(AF) asked Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare the Passover so You may eat it?”
13 So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher(AG) says, “Where is the guest room for Me to eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples(AH) went out, entered the city, and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Betrayal at the Passover
17 When(AI) evening came, He arrived with the Twelve.(AJ) 18 While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “I assure you: One of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me!”
19 They began to be distressed and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?”
20 He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread with Me in the bowl. 21 For the Son of Man(AK) will go just as it is written(AL) about Him,(AM) but woe(AN) to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
The First Lord’s Supper
22 As(AO) they were eating, He took bread,(AP) blessed and broke(AQ) it, gave it to them,(AR) and said, “Take it;[b] this is My body.”(AS)
23 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks,(AT) He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is My blood that establishes the covenant;[c](AU) it is shed(AV) for many.(AW) 25 I assure you:(AX) I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine(AY) until that day when I drink it in a new(AZ) way[d] in the kingdom of God.”(BA) 26 After singing psalms,[e] they went out to the Mount of Olives.(BB)
Peter’s Denial Predicted
27 Then(BC) Jesus said to them, “All of you will run away,[f][g] because it is written:(BD)
28 But after I have been resurrected,(BG) I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”(BH)
29 Peter(BI) told Him, “Even if everyone runs away, I will certainly not!”
30 “I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times!”(BJ)
31 But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with You, I will never deny You!” And they all said the same thing.
The Prayer in the Garden
32 Then(BK) they came to a place named Gethsemane, and He told His disciples,(BL) “Sit here while I pray.”(BM) 33 He took Peter,(BN) James,(BO) and John(BP) with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and horrified. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow[i] —to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.”(BQ) 35 Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour(BR) might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba,(BS) Father!(BT) All things are possible(BU) for You. Take this cup(BV) away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
37 Then He came and found them sleeping. “Simon,(BW) are you sleeping?” He asked Peter.(BX) “Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray(BY) so that you won’t enter into temptation.(BZ) The spirit(CA) is willing, but the flesh(CB) is weak.”
39 Once again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing. 40 And He came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open.[j] They did not know what to say to Him.(CC) 41 Then He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man(CD) is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.(CE) 42 Get up;(CF) let’s go! See—My betrayer is near.”
The Judas Kiss
43 While(CG) He was still speaking, Judas,(CH) one of the Twelve,(CI) suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes,(CJ) and the elders.(CK) 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. “The One I kiss,” he said, “He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, “Rabbi!”(CL)—and kissed Him. 46 Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his ear.
48 But Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal,[k] to capture Me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex,(CM) and you didn’t arrest Me. But the Scriptures(CN) must be fulfilled.”(CO) 50 Then they all deserted Him and ran away.(CP)
51 Now a certain young man,[l] having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body, was following Him. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.(CQ)
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
53 They(CR) led Jesus away to the high priest,(CS) and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes(CT) convened.(CU) 54 Peter(CV) followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police,[m](CW) warming himself by the fire.[n]
55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(CX) were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,(CY) but they could find none. 56 For many were giving false testimony(CZ) against Him, but the testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and were giving false testimony against Him, stating, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will demolish this sanctuary made by human hands,(DA) and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’” 59 Yet their testimony did not agree(DB) even on this.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?” 61 But He kept silent and did not answer anything.(DC) Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah,(DD) the Son(DE) of the Blessed(DF) One?”
62 “I am,”(DG) said Jesus, “and all of you[o] will see the Son of Man(DH) seated at the right hand(DI) of the Power and coming with the clouds(DJ) of heaven.”(DK)[p]
63 Then the high priest(DL) tore his robes(DM) and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?(DN) 64 You have heard the blasphemy!(DO) What is your decision?”[q]
And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.(DP) 65 Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, “Prophesy!”(DQ) The temple police(DR) also took Him and slapped Him.
Peter Denies His Lord
66 While(DS) Peter(DT) was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s servants came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with that Nazarene,(DU) Jesus.”
68 But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about!” Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed.[r]
69 When the servant saw him again she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them!”
70 But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean!”[s](DV)
71 Then he started to curse[t] and to swear with an oath,(DW) “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”
72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time,(DX) and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” When he thought about it, he began to weep.[u]
Jesus Faces Pilate
15 As(DY) soon as it was morning, the chief priests had a meeting with the elders,(DZ) scribes,(EA) and the whole Sanhedrin.(EB) After tying Jesus up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate.(EC)
2 So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King(ED) of the Jews?”(EE)
He answered him, “You have said it.”[v]
3 And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. 4 Then Pilate(EF) questioned Him again, “Are You not answering anything? Look how many things they are accusing You of!” 5 But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed.
Jesus or Barabbas
6 At(EG) the festival(EH) it was Pilate’s(EI) custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested. 7 There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder(EJ) during the rebellion.(EK) 8 The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom. 9 So Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release the King(EL) of the Jews(EM) for you?” 10 For he knew it was because of envy(EN) that the chief priests had handed Him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.
12 Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?”
13 Again they shouted, “Crucify Him!”
14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why? What has He done wrong?”
But they shouted, “Crucify Him!” all the more.
15 Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged,[w] he handed Him over to be crucified.
Mocked by the Military
16 Then(EO) the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard (that is, headquarters(EP)) and called the whole company together. 17 They dressed Him in a purple(EQ) robe, twisted together a crown(ER) of thorns, and put it on Him. 18 And they began to salute Him, “Hail,(ES) King(ET) of the Jews!” 19 They kept hitting Him on the head with a reed and spitting on Him. Getting down on their knees,(EU) they were paying Him homage. 20 When they had mocked(EV) Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
Crucified between Two Criminals
21 They(EW) forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’ cross.(EX) He was Simon, a Cyrenian,(EY) the father of Alexander and Rufus.(EZ) 22 And(FA) they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place(FB)). 23 They tried to give Him wine(FC) mixed with myrrh,(FD) but He did not take it. 24 Then they crucified Him and divided His clothes, casting lots(FE) for them to decide what each would get. 25 Now it was nine in the morning[x] when they crucified Him. 26 The inscription of the charge written against Him was:
27 They(FH) crucified two criminals[y](FI) with Him, one on His right and one on His left. [28 So the Scripture was fulfilled that says: And He was counted among outlaws.][z](FJ)[aa] 29 Those(FK) who passed by were yelling insults(FL) at[ab] Him, shaking their heads,(FM) and saying, “Ha! The One who would demolish the sanctuary and build it in three days,(FN) 30 save Yourself by coming down from the cross!”(FO) 31 In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes(FP) were mocking Him to one another and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself! 32 Let the Messiah,(FQ) the King(FR) of Israel,(FS) come down now from the cross,(FT) so that we may see and believe.”(FU) Even those who were crucified with Him were taunting Him.
The Death of Jesus
33 When(FV) it was noon,[ac] darkness came over the whole land[ad] until three in the afternoon.[ae](FW) 34 And at three[af] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá[ag] sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”(FX)[ah]
35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “Look, He’s calling for Elijah!” 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink,(FY) and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down!”
37 But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. 38 Then the curtain(FZ) of the sanctuary[ai] was split in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He[aj] breathed His last, he said, “This man really was God’s Son!”[ak](GA)
40 There(GB) were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene,(GC) Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee,(GD) they would follow Him and help Him. Many other women had come up with Him to Jerusalem.(GE)
The Burial of Jesus
42 When(GF) it was already evening, because it was preparation day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward(GG) to the kingdom of God,(GH) came and boldly went in to Pilate(GI) and asked for Jesus’ body.(GJ) 44 Pilate was surprised that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. 45 When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph. 46 After he bought some fine linen, he took Him down and wrapped Him in the linen. Then he placed Him in a tomb(GK) cut out of the rock, and rolled a stone(GL) against the entrance to the tomb. 47 Now(GM) Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where He was placed.
Jesus Faces Pilate
15 As(A) soon as it was morning, the chief priests had a meeting with the elders,(B) scribes,(C) and the whole Sanhedrin.(D) After tying Jesus up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate.(E)
2 So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King(F) of the Jews?”(G)
He answered him, “You have said it.”[a]
3 And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. 4 Then Pilate(H) questioned Him again, “Are You not answering anything? Look how many things they are accusing You of!” 5 But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed.
Jesus or Barabbas
6 At(I) the festival(J) it was Pilate’s(K) custom to release for the people a prisoner they requested. 7 There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder(L) during the rebellion.(M) 8 The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom. 9 So Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release the King(N) of the Jews(O) for you?” 10 For he knew it was because of envy(P) that the chief priests had handed Him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead.
12 Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?”
13 Again they shouted, “Crucify Him!”
14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why? What has He done wrong?”
But they shouted, “Crucify Him!” all the more.
15 Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged,[b] he handed Him over to be crucified.
Mocked by the Military
16 Then(Q) the soldiers led Him away into the courtyard (that is, headquarters(R)) and called the whole company together. 17 They dressed Him in a purple(S) robe, twisted together a crown(T) of thorns, and put it on Him. 18 And they began to salute Him, “Hail,(U) King(V) of the Jews!” 19 They kept hitting Him on the head with a reed and spitting on Him. Getting down on their knees,(W) they were paying Him homage. 20 When they had mocked(X) Him, they stripped Him of the purple robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
Crucified between Two Criminals
21 They(Y) forced a man coming in from the country, who was passing by, to carry Jesus’ cross.(Z) He was Simon, a Cyrenian,(AA) the father of Alexander and Rufus.(AB) 22 And(AC) they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place(AD)). 23 They tried to give Him wine(AE) mixed with myrrh,(AF) but He did not take it. 24 Then they crucified Him and divided His clothes, casting lots(AG) for them to decide what each would get. 25 Now it was nine in the morning[c] when they crucified Him. 26 The inscription of the charge written against Him was:
27 They(AJ) crucified two criminals[d](AK) with Him, one on His right and one on His left. [28 So the Scripture was fulfilled that says: And He was counted among outlaws.][e](AL)[f] 29 Those(AM) who passed by were yelling insults(AN) at[g] Him, shaking their heads,(AO) and saying, “Ha! The One who would demolish the sanctuary and build it in three days,(AP) 30 save Yourself by coming down from the cross!”(AQ) 31 In the same way, the chief priests with the scribes(AR) were mocking Him to one another and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself! 32 Let the Messiah,(AS) the King(AT) of Israel,(AU) come down now from the cross,(AV) so that we may see and believe.”(AW) Even those who were crucified with Him were taunting Him.
The Death of Jesus
33 When(AX) it was noon,[h] darkness came over the whole land[i] until three in the afternoon.[j](AY) 34 And at three[k] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá[l] sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”(AZ)[m]
35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “Look, He’s calling for Elijah!” 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink,(BA) and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down!”
37 But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. 38 Then the curtain(BB) of the sanctuary[n] was split in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He[o] breathed His last, he said, “This man really was God’s Son!”[p](BC)
40 There(A) were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene,(B) Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When He was in Galilee,(C) they would follow Him and help Him. Many other women had come up with Him to Jerusalem.(D)
The Burial of Jesus
42 When(E) it was already evening, because it was preparation day (that is, the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward(F) to the kingdom of God,(G) came and boldly went in to Pilate(H) and asked for Jesus’ body.(I) 44 Pilate was surprised that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He had already died. 45 When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph. 46 After he bought some fine linen, he took Him down and wrapped Him in the linen. Then he placed Him in a tomb(J) cut out of the rock, and rolled a stone(K) against the entrance to the tomb. 47 Now(L) Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where He was placed.
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