The Plot to Kill Jesus

1[†]Now it happened that when Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, 2“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be delivered over for crucifixion.”

3Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 4and they plotted together to seize Jesus by stealth and kill Him. 5But they were saying, “Not during the festival, lest a riot occur among the people.”

The Costly Perfume

6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, 7a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. 8But when the disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good work to Me. 11For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. 13Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

Judas Looks to Betray Jesus

14Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What are you willing to give me [†]to deliver Him to you?” And they weighed out [†]thirty pieces of silver to him. 16And from then on he began looking for a good opportunity to [†]betray [†]Jesus.

The Passover Meal

17Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near; I am keeping the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’” 19And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

20Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 21And as they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22And being deeply grieved, they [†]each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23And He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. 24The Son of Man is going, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good [†]for that man if he had not been born.” 25And Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You yourself said it.”

The Lord’s Supper

26Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and [†]after a blessing, He broke it. And giving it to the disciples, He said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

30And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

31Then Jesus said to them, “You will all [†]fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’ 32But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33But Peter answered and said to Him, “Even though all may [†]fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

36Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

39And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “[†]Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Get up, let us go; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up, and with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” 49And immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

51And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew out his sword and struck the slave of the high priest and [†]cut off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. 53Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve [†]legions of angels? 54Therefore, how will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

55At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. 56But all this has taken place in order that the Scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

Jesus Before Caiaphas

57Now those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the [†]officers to see the outcome.

59Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60And they did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the [†]sanctuary of God and to rebuild it [†]in three days.’” 62And the high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What are these men testifying against You?” 63But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the [†]Christ, the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him, “You yourself said it; nevertheless I tell you, [†]hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”

65Then the high priest tore his garments and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66what do you think?” They answered and said, “He deserves death!”

67Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others [†]slapped Him, 68and said, “Prophesy to us, O [†]Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

Peter’s Denials

69Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk [†]gives you away.” 74Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and cried bitterly.