1 THE Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching.
2 The high priests and the scribes were intent upon finding some way to destroy Jesus; for they were afraid of the people.
3 But Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve,
4 and he went away and talked over with the high priests and officers how he could betray him.
5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money.
6 He promised, and was on the lookout for an opportunity to betray him to them when the crowd was not with him.
7 The day of unleavened bread came, when the Passover lamb must be sacrificed,
8 and Jesus sent Peter and John, telling them, "Go and make ready the Passover for us so that we may eat it."
9 They said to him, "Where do you wish us to make ready?"
10 He said, "As you are entering the city a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house that he enters
11 and say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, Where is the dining room where I am to eat the Passover with my disciples?'
12 And he will show you an upper room, large and furnished. There make ready."
13 They went away and found everything just as he had said, and they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour came, he reclined at table and the apostles with him.
15 He said to them, "I have strongly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
16 For, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."
17 He took a cup and gave thanks and said, "Take this and share it among yourselves.
18 For, I say to you, I shall not again drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
19 Then he took a loaf and gave thanks and broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."
20 He took the cup in the same manner after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.
21 But, see, the hand of the traitor is with me on the table!
22 The Son of Man is going, as it is appointed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!"
23 They began to question among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do this.
24 There was also a dispute among them as to which of them should be regarded as superior.
25 He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those of them who exercise authority are called benefactors.
26 But you are not to be so. The greatest among you is to be like the youngest and the leader like him who serves.
27 For which is superior, he who reclines at table or he who serves? Is not he who reclines? But I am in the midst of you as the one who serves.
28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials
29 and I will assign to you, as my Father has assigned to me, a kingdom,
30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. You shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 Simon, Simon, Satan has begged to be allowed to sift all of you like wheat.
32 But I have prayed for thee that thy faith may not fail. And when you come back to yourself, strengthen your brothers."
33 Peter said to him, "Master, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34 Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow to-day before you three times deny that you know me."
35 He said to them, "When I sent you out without purse or bag or shoes, did you lack for anything?" They said, "We lacked for nothing."
36 He said to them, "But now whoever has a purse must take it, and so with a bag, and he who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.
37 For I tell you that the prophecy must be fulfilled in me \'97 the prophecy, 'He was numbered among the lawless.' For what concerns me is coming to an end."
38 They said, "Master, here are two swords." He said to them, "That is enough."
39 He went out and made his way, according to his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.
40 When he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray not to enter into temptation."
41 He parted from them about a stone's throw and kneeled down and prayed,
42 "Father, if thou wilt, take away this cup from me. Yet not my will, but thine, be done."
43 An angel from heaven appeared to him strengthening him.
44 Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood failing upon the ground.
45 Then he rose from prayer and came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.
46 He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."
47 While he was still speaking there came a crowd, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came up to Jesus to kiss him.
48 Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?"
49 Those about Jesus, seeing what was going to happen, said, "Master, shall we strike with the sword?"
50 One of them did strike the High Priest's servant and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus said, "Let me at least do this," and he touched his ear and healed it.
52 Jesus said to the high priests and officers of the Temple and elders who had come out against him, "You come out with swords and clubs, just as if after a robber.
53 In the daytime while I was with you in the Temple courts you did not stretch out your hands to take me. But this is your hour and the power of darkness."
54 After arresting him they led him away and brought him into the house of the High Priest. Peter followed at a distance.
55 They lighted a fire in the center of the court and seated themselves around it, and Peter seated himself in the midst of them.
56 A maid saw him sitting near the light, and, looking hard at him, said, "This man was with him too."
57 But he denied, saying, "Woman, I do not know him."
58 After a short space another \'97 a man \'97 saw him, and said, "You too are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not."
59 About an hour later, another man asserted positively, "Truly this man was with him too, for he is a Galilaean."
60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." Immediately while he was speaking the cock crew,
61 and the Master turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Master, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows to-day you will disown me three times."
62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
63 The men who had arrested Jesus made sport of him, beating him,
64 and, after blindfolding him, they asked him, "Prophesy who it is that struck you."
65 Many other insulting words they said to him.
66 When daylight came, the eldership of the people assembled, both high priests and scribes, and they led him to their council, saying,
67 "If you are the Christ, tell us." He said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe.
68 If I question you, you will not answer.
69 But from this time the Son of Man will be seated at the powerful right hand of God."
70 They all said, "You then are the Son of God?" He said to them, "I am what you say."
71 They said, "Why do we need any more testimony? For we ourselves have heard it from his own mouth."