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A Plot To Kill Jesus

(Matthew 26.1-5; Luke 22.1,2; John 11.45-53)

14 (A) It was now two days before Passover and the Festival of Thin Bread. The chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses were planning how they could sneak around and have Jesus arrested and put to death. They were saying, “We must not do it during the festival, because the people will riot.”

At Bethany

(Matthew 26.6-13; John 12.1-8)

(B) Jesus was eating in Bethany at the home of Simon, who once had leprosy,[a] when a woman came in with a very expensive bottle of sweet-smelling perfume.[b] After breaking it open, she poured the perfume on Jesus' head. This made some of the guests angry, and they complained, “Why such a waste? We could have sold this perfume for more than 300 silver coins and given the money to the poor!” So they started saying cruel things to the woman.

But Jesus said:

Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me. (C) You will always have the poor with you. And whenever you want to, you can give to them. But you won't always have me here with you. She has done all she could by pouring perfume on my body to prepare it for burial. You may be sure that wherever the good news is told all over the world, people will remember what she has done. And they will tell others.

Judas and the Chief Priests

(Matthew 26.14-16; Luke 22.3-6)

10 Judas Iscariot[c] was one of the twelve disciples. He went to the chief priests and offered to help them arrest Jesus. 11 They were glad to hear this, and they promised to pay him. So Judas started looking for a good chance to betray Jesus.

Jesus Eats with His Disciples

(Matthew 26.17-25; Luke 22.7-14,21-23; John 13.21-30)

12 It was the first day of the Festival of Thin Bread, and the Passover lambs were being killed. Jesus' disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal?”

13 Jesus said to two of the disciples, “Go into the city, where you will meet a man carrying a jar of water.[d] Follow him, 14 and when he goes into a house, say to the owner, ‘Our teacher wants to know if you have a room where he can eat the Passover meal with his disciples.’ 15 The owner will take you upstairs and show you a large room furnished and ready for you to use. Prepare the meal there.”

16 The two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover meal.

17-18 (D) While Jesus and the twelve disciples were eating together that evening, he said, “The one who will betray me is now eating with me.”

19 This made the disciples sad, and one after another they said to Jesus, “You surely don't mean me!”

20 He answered, “It is one of you twelve men who is eating from this dish with me. 21 The Son of Man will die, just as the Scriptures say. But it is going to be terrible for the one who betrays me. That man would be better off if he had never been born.”

The Lord's Supper

(Matthew 26.26-30; Luke 22.14-23; 1 Corinthians 11.23-25)

22 During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this. It is my body.”

23 Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He gave it to his disciples, and they all drank some. 24 (E) Then he said, “This is my blood, which is poured out for many people, and with it God makes his agreement. 25 From now on I will not drink any wine, until I drink new wine in God's kingdom.” 26 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Peter's Promise

(Matthew 26.31-35; Luke 22.31-34; John 13.36-38)

27 (F) Jesus said to his disciples, “All of you will reject me, as the Scriptures say,

‘I will strike down
    the shepherd,
and the sheep
    will be scattered.’

28 (G) But after I am raised to life, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

29 Peter spoke up, “Even if all the others reject you, I never will!”

30 Jesus replied, “This very night before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me.”

31 But Peter was so sure of himself that he said, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never say I don't know you!”

All the others said the same thing.

Jesus Prays

(Matthew 26.36-46; Luke 22.39-46)

32 Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he told them, “Sit here while I pray.”

33 Jesus took along Peter, James, and John. He was sad and troubled and 34 told them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.”

35-36 Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt down on the ground and prayed, “Father,[e] if it is possible, don't let this happen to me! Father, you can do anything. Don't make me suffer by drinking from this cup.[f] But do what you want, and not what I want.”

37 When Jesus came back and found the disciples sleeping, he said to Simon Peter, “Are you asleep? Can't you stay awake for just one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray that you won't be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.”

39 Jesus went back and prayed the same prayer. 40 But when he returned to the disciples, he found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open, and they did not know what to say.

41 When Jesus returned to the disciples the third time, he said, “Are you still sleeping and resting?[g] Enough of this! The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. 42 Get up! Let's go. The one who will betray me is already here.”

Jesus Is Arrested

(Matthew 26.47-56; Luke 22.47-53; John 18.3-12)

43 Jesus was still speaking, when Judas the betrayer came up. He was one of the twelve disciples, and a mob of men armed with swords and clubs were with him. They had been sent by the chief priests, the nation's leaders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses. 44 Judas had told them ahead of time, “Arrest the man I greet with a kiss.[h] Tie him up tight and lead him away.”

45 Judas walked right up to Jesus and said, “Teacher!” Then Judas kissed him, 46 and the men grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

47 Someone standing there pulled out a sword. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

48 Jesus said to the mob, “Why do you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like a criminal? 49 (H) Day after day I was with you and taught in the temple, and you didn't arrest me. But what the Scriptures say must come true.”

50 All of Jesus' disciples ran off and left him. 51 One of them was a young man who was wearing only a linen cloth. And when the men grabbed him, 52 he left the cloth behind and ran away naked.

Jesus Is Questioned by the Council

(Matthew 26.57-68; Luke 22.54,55,63-71; John 18.13,14,19-24)

53 Jesus was led off to the high priest. Then the chief priests, the nation's leaders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses all met together. 54 Peter had followed at a distance, and when he reached the courtyard of the high priest's house, he sat down with the guards to warm himself beside a fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole council tried to find someone to accuse Jesus of a crime, so they could put him to death. But they could not find anyone to accuse him. 56 Many people did tell lies against Jesus, but they did not agree on what they said. 57 Finally, some men stood up and lied about him. They said, 58 (I) “We heard him say he would tear down this temple that we built. He also claimed that in three days he would build another one without any help.” 59 But even then they did not agree on what they said.

60 The high priest stood up in the council and asked Jesus, “Why don't you say something in your own defense? Don't you hear the charges they are making against you?” 61 But Jesus kept quiet and did not say a word. The high priest asked him another question, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the glorious God?”[i]

62 (J) “Yes, I am!” Jesus answered.

“Soon you will see
    the Son of Man
sitting at the right side[j]
    of God All-Powerful,
and coming with the clouds
    of heaven.”

63 At once the high priest ripped his robe apart and shouted, “Why do we need more witnesses? 64 (K) You heard him claim to be God! What is your decision?” They all agreed he should be put to death.

65 Some of the people started spitting on Jesus. They blindfolded him, hit him with their fists, and said, “Tell us who hit you!” Then the guards took charge of Jesus and beat him.

Peter Says He Doesn't Know Jesus

(Matthew 26.69-75; Luke 22.56-62; John 18.15-18,25-27)

66 While Peter was still in the courtyard, a servant girl of the high priest came up 67 and saw Peter warming himself by the fire. She stared at him and said, “You were with Jesus from Nazareth!”

68 Peter replied, “That isn't true! I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have any idea what you mean.” He went out to the gate, and a rooster crowed.[k]

69 The servant girl saw Peter again and said to the people standing there, “This man is one of them!”

70 “No, I'm not!” Peter replied.

A little while later some of the people said to Peter, “You certainly are one of them. You're a Galilean!”

71 This time Peter began to curse and swear, “I don't even know the man you're talking about!”

72 At once the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had told him, “Before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me.” So Peter started crying.

Footnotes

  1. 14.3 leprosy: In biblical times the word “leprosy” was used for many different skin diseases.
  2. 14.3 sweet-smelling perfume: The Greek text has “perfume made of pure spikenard,” a plant used to make perfume.
  3. 14.10 Iscariot: See the note at 3.19.
  4. 14.13 a man carrying a jar of water: A male slave carrying water could mean that the family was rich.
  5. 14.35,36 Father: The Greek text has “Abba,” which is an Aramaic word meaning “father.”
  6. 14.35,36 by drinking from this cup: See the note at 10.38.
  7. 14.41 Are you still sleeping and resting: Or “You may as well keep on sleeping and resting.”
  8. 14.44 greet with a kiss: It was the custom for people to greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.
  9. 14.61 Son of the glorious God: “Son of God” was one of the titles used for the kings of Israel.
  10. 14.62 right side: See the note at 12.36.
  11. 14.68 a rooster crowed: These words are not in some manuscripts.

Jesus Anointed at Bethany(A)(B)(C)

14 Now the Passover(D) and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.(E) “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

While he was in Bethany,(F) reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.(G)

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want.(H) But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.(I) Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world,(J) what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve,(K) went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.(L) 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

The Last Supper(M)(N)

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb,(O) Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs,(P) furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me.(Q) 21 The Son of Man(R) will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it(S) and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.(T)

24 “This is my blood of the[c] covenant,(U) which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”(V)

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.(W)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(X)

27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.’[d](Y)

28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”(Z)

29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice[e] you yourself will disown me three times.”(AA)

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you,(AB) I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Gethsemane(AC)

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John(AD) along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,”(AE) he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour(AF) might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[f] Father,”(AG) he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup(AH) from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”(AI)

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.(AJ) The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(AK)

39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour(AL) has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested(AM)

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas,(AN) one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!”(AO) and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts,(AP) and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”(AQ) 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.(AR)

51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin(AS)(AT)

53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.(AU) There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.(AV)

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(AW) were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another,(AX) not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.(AY)

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”(AZ)

62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”(BA)

63 The high priest tore his clothes.(BB) “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death.(BC) 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.(BD)

Peter Disowns Jesus(BE)

66 While Peter was below in the courtyard,(BF) one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself,(BG) she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,”(BH) she said.

68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,”(BI) he said, and went out into the entryway.[g]

69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.(BJ)

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”(BK)

71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”(BL)

72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[h] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[i] you will disown me three times.”(BM) And he broke down and wept.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 14:5 Greek than three hundred denarii
  2. Mark 14:7 See Deut. 15:11.
  3. Mark 14:24 Some manuscripts the new
  4. Mark 14:27 Zech. 13:7
  5. Mark 14:30 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.
  6. Mark 14:36 Aramaic for father
  7. Mark 14:68 Some early manuscripts entryway and the rooster crowed
  8. Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have the second time.
  9. Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.