1<\/sup>Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 2<\/sup>And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put [Jesus] to death, for they feared the people.<\/p>\n 3<\/sup>Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4<\/sup>He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5<\/sup>And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6<\/sup>So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.<\/p>\n 7<\/sup>Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8<\/sup>So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, \u201cGo and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.\u201d 9<\/sup>They said to him, \u201cWhere will you have us prepare it?\u201d 10<\/sup>He said to them, \u201cBehold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11<\/sup>and tell the master of the house, \u2018The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?\u2019 12<\/sup>And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.\u201d 13<\/sup>And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.<\/p>\n 14<\/sup>And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15<\/sup>And he said to them, \u201cI have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16<\/sup>For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.\u201d 17<\/sup>And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, \u201cTake this, and divide it among yourselves. 18<\/sup>For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.\u201d 19<\/sup>And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, \u201cThis is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.\u201d 20<\/sup>And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, \u201cThis cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21<\/sup>But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22<\/sup>For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!\u201d 23<\/sup>And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.<\/p>\n 24<\/sup>A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25<\/sup>And he said to them, \u201cThe kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26<\/sup>But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27<\/sup>For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.<\/p>\n 28<\/sup>\u201cYou are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29<\/sup>and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30<\/sup>that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.<\/p>\n 31<\/sup>\u201cSimon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32<\/sup>but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.\u201d 33<\/sup>Peter said to him, \u201cLord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.\u201d 34<\/sup>Jesus said, \u201cI tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.\u201d<\/p>\n 35<\/sup>And he said to them, \u201cWhen I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?\u201d They said, \u201cNothing.\u201d 36<\/sup>He said to them, \u201cBut now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37<\/sup>For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: \u2018And he was numbered with the transgressors.\u2019 For what is written about me has its fulfillment.\u201d 38<\/sup>And they said, \u201cLook, Lord, here are two swords.\u201d And he said to them, \u201cIt is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n 39<\/sup>And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40<\/sup>And when he came to the place, he said to them, \u201cPray that you may not enter into temptation.\u201d 41<\/sup>And he withdrew from them about a stone\u2019s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42<\/sup>saying, \u201cFather, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.\u201d 43<\/sup>And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44<\/sup>And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45<\/sup>And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46<\/sup>and he said to them, \u201cWhy are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.\u201d<\/p>\n 47<\/sup>While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48<\/sup>but Jesus said to him, \u201cJudas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?\u201d 49<\/sup>And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, \u201cLord, shall we strike with the sword?\u201d 50<\/sup>And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51<\/sup>But Jesus said, \u201cNo more of this!\u201d And he touched his ear and healed him. 52<\/sup>Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, \u201cHave you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53<\/sup>When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.\u201d<\/p>\n 54<\/sup>Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest\u2019s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55<\/sup>And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56<\/sup>Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, \u201cThis man also was with him.\u201d 57<\/sup>But he denied it, saying, \u201cWoman, I do not know him.\u201d 58<\/sup>And a little later someone else saw him and said, \u201cYou also are one of them.\u201d But Peter said, \u201cMan, I am not.\u201d 59<\/sup>And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, \u201cCertainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.\u201d 60<\/sup>But Peter said, \u201cMan, I do not know what you are talking about.\u201d And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61<\/sup>And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, \u201cBefore the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.\u201d 62<\/sup>And he went out and wept bitterly.<\/p>\n 63<\/sup>Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64<\/sup>They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, \u201cProphesy! Who is it that struck you?\u201d 65<\/sup>And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.<\/p>\n 66<\/sup>When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67<\/sup>\u201cIf you are the Christ, tell us.\u201d But he said to them, \u201cIf I tell you, you will not believe, 68<\/sup>and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69<\/sup>But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.\u201d 70<\/sup>So they all said, \u201cAre you the Son of God, then?\u201d And he said to them, \u201cYou say that I am.\u201d 71<\/sup>Then they said, \u201cWhat further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.\u201d<\/p>\n 1<\/sup>Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2<\/sup>And they began to accuse him, saying, \u201cWe found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.\u201d 3<\/sup>And Pilate asked him, \u201cAre you the King of the Jews?\u201d And he answered him, \u201cYou have said so.\u201d 4<\/sup>Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, \u201cI find no guilt in this man.\u201d 5<\/sup>But they were urgent, saying, \u201cHe stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.\u201d<\/p>\n 6<\/sup>When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7<\/sup>And when he learned that he belonged to Herod\u2019s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8<\/sup>When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9<\/sup>So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10<\/sup>The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11<\/sup>And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12<\/sup>And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.<\/p>\n 13<\/sup>Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14<\/sup>and said to them, \u201cYou brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15<\/sup>Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16<\/sup>I will therefore punish and release him.\u201d<\/p>\n 18<\/sup>But they all cried out together, \u201cAway with this man, and release to us Barabbas\u201d\u2014 19<\/sup>a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. 20<\/sup>Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21<\/sup>but they kept shouting, \u201cCrucify, crucify him!\u201d 22<\/sup>A third time he said to them, \u201cWhy, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.\u201d 23<\/sup>But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24<\/sup>So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25<\/sup>He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.<\/p>\n 26<\/sup>And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27<\/sup>And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28<\/sup>But turning to them Jesus said, \u201cDaughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29<\/sup>For behold, the days are coming when they will say, \u2018Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!\u2019 30<\/sup>Then they will begin to say to the mountains, \u2018Fall on us,\u2019 and to the hills, \u2018Cover us.\u2019 31<\/sup>For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?\u201d<\/p>\n 32<\/sup>Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33<\/sup>And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34<\/sup>And Jesus said, \u201cFather, forgive them, for they know not what they do.\u201d And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35<\/sup>And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, \u201cHe saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!\u201d 36<\/sup>The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37<\/sup>and saying, \u201cIf you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!\u201d 38<\/sup>There was also an inscription over him, \u201cThis is the King of the Jews.\u201d<\/p>\n 39<\/sup>One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, \u201cAre you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!\u201d 40<\/sup>But the other rebuked him, saying, \u201cDo you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41<\/sup>And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.\u201d 42<\/sup>And he said, \u201cJesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.\u201d 43<\/sup>And he said to him, \u201cTruly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.\u201d<\/p>\n 44<\/sup>It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45<\/sup>while the sun\u2019s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46<\/sup>Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, \u201cFather, into your hands I commit my spirit!\u201d And having said this he breathed his last. 47<\/sup>Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, \u201cCertainly this man was innocent!\u201d 48<\/sup>And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49<\/sup>And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.<\/p>\n 50<\/sup>Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51<\/sup>who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52<\/sup>This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53<\/sup>Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54<\/sup>It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55<\/sup>The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56<\/sup>Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.<\/p>\n On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.<\/p>\n