Preparing the Passover

1Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. 2The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people [who listened devotedly to His teaching, and who respected His spiritual wisdom].

3Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve [disciples]. 4And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him and hand Him over to them. 5They were delighted and agreed with him to give him money. 6So he consented, and began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus to them [at a time when He was] separated from the crowd [because the people might riot or stop them from seizing Him].

7Then came the preparation day of [a]Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us, so that we may eat it.” 9They asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” 10He replied, “When you have entered the city, a [b]man carrying an earthen jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house that he enters. 11And say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 12Then he will show you a large upstairs room, furnished [with carpets and dining couches]; prepare the meal there.” 13They left and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

The Lord’s Supper

14When the hour [for the meal] had come, Jesus reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15He said to them, “I have earnestly wanted to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16for I say to you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17And when He had taken a cup and [c]given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19And when He had taken bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant [ratified] in My blood. 21But listen, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. 22For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe (judgment is coming) to that man by whom He is betrayed and handed over!” 23And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this.

Who Is Greatest?

24Now a dispute also arose among them as to which of them was regarded to be the greatest. 25Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ 26But it is not to be this way with you; on the contrary, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest [and least privileged], and the [one who is the] leader, like the servant. 27For who is the greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

28“You are those who have remained and have stood by Me in My trials; 29and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you [the privilege] 30that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31“Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain; 32but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].” 33And Peter said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death!” 34Jesus said, “I say to you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will [utterly] deny three times that you know Me.”

35And He said to them, “When I sent you out without a money belt and [provision] bag and [extra] sandals, did you lack anything?” They answered, “Nothing.” 36Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money belt is to take it along, and also his [provision] bag, and he who has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. 37For I tell you that this [Scripture] which is written must be completed and fulfilled in Me: ‘AND HE WAS COUNTED WITH THE CRIMINALS’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment [and is settled].” 38They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”

The Garden of Gethsemane

39And He came out and went, as was His habit, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed Him. 40When He arrived at the place [called Gethsemane], He said to them, “Pray continually that you may not fall into temptation.” 41And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup [of divine wrath] from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done.” 43[d]Now an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44And being in agony [deeply distressed and anguished; almost to the point of death], He prayed more intently; and His [e]sweat became like drops of blood, falling down on the ground. 45When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, 46and He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not fall into temptation.”

Judas Betrays Jesus

47While He was still speaking, a crowd came, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve [disciples], was leading the way for them. He approached Jesus to [f]kiss Him. 48And Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49When those who were around Him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50And [g]one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51But Jesus replied, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched the ear and healed him. 52Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders [of the Sanhedrin] who had come out against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? 53Day after day when I was with you in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power and authority of darkness are yours.”

Peter’s Denials

54Then they seized Him, and led Him away and brought Him to the [elegant] house of the [Jewish] [h]high priest. And Peter was following at a [safe] distance. 55After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.” 57But Peter denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him!” 58A little later someone else saw him and said, “You are one of them too.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59After about an hour had passed, another man began to insist, “This man was with Him, for he is a Galilean too.” 60But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62And he went out and wept bitterly [deeply grieved and distressed].

63Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking and ridiculing Him [and treating Him with contempt] and beating Him. 64They blindfolded Him and asked, “Prophesy, who is it that struck You?” 65And they were saying many other [evil and slanderous] things against Him, blaspheming [speaking sacrilegiously and abusively about] Him.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

66When day came, the Council of the elders of the people (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) assembled, both chief priests and scribes; and they led Jesus away to the council chamber, saying, 67“If You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe [what I say], 68and if I ask a question, you will not answer. 69But from now on, THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD.” 70And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” He replied, “[i]It is just as you say.” 71Then they asked, “What further need of testimony do we have? For we ourselves have heard it from His own mouth.”

[a] 7 This remembrance lasted eight days. The Passover lambs were selected on the tenth of Nisan (MarchApril) and sacrificed on the fourteenth of Nisan (the first day of the feast). The Passover meal was eaten that same night (15 Nisan). This was immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread (15-21 Nisan). The terms “Passover” and “The Feast of Unleavened Bread” were used interchangeably.
[b] 10 It would have been unusual to see a manservant carrying a jar of water, because that was considered a woman’s task.
[c] 17 Giving thanks consisted of two benedictions, one over the wine (Blessed are You, Lord our God, who has created the fruit of the vine!) and one for the return of the Feast Day with all it implied, as well as being allowed once more to witness it.
[d] 43 This particular encounter between Jesus and the ministering angel is found only in Luke’s gospel. Most early mss do not contain vv 43, 44.
[e] 44 A potentially life-threatening physical response to extreme physical or mental stress, hematidrosis.
[f] 47 A kiss on either the hand or cheek was usually an act of homage and a common gesture of greeting and reverence given to a rabbi by his disciples, but done here to identify Jesus.
[g] 50 John names Peter as the assailant and Malchus as the victim.
[h] 54 See note 3:2.
[i] 70 Lit You say that I am.