1 ARST At that time, it was only two days until the Passover festival, which was the first day of the Celebration of Unleavened Bread. The ruling priests and the teachers of the Jewish law were planning a clever way to arrest Jesus and have people execute him. BSB BSB: Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.
2 ARST { They were planning something clever} because they agreed that they would not act during the festival period. Otherwise, the people who were there in Jerusalem might riot. BSB BSB: “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
3 ARST Now Jesus was in the village of Bethany. He was in the home of Simon, who used to have a skin disease. While Jesus was feasting{ there}, a woman arrived. She brought with her a stone jar that contained nard, a very valuable, fragrant ointment. She shattered the jar and poured the ointment on Jesus’ head. BSB BSB: While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.
4 ARST Some of the people there were very upset.{ They said} to each other,“She wasted the fragrant ointment! BSB BSB: Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?
5 ARST She could have sold this fragrant ointment for at least 300 coins! Then, she could have given{ that money} to poor people.” So, they rebuked her. BSB BSB: It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.
6 ARST However, Jesus told{ those people},“Stop rebuking this woman. Do not bother her! What she did for me was right. BSB BSB: But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.
7 ARST There will always be poor people with you, so you can help them whenever you want to. However, I will not always be with you. BSB BSB: The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.
8 ARST This woman used what she possessed to do{ something for me}. When she poured this ointment on me, she was preparing me ahead of time for when someone buries me. BSB BSB: She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.
9 ARST In every place where my apprentices proclaim the good news, they will also tell what this woman just did. That way, people will remember her. What I have said is true.” BSB BSB: And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
10 ARST Then Judas Iscariot visited the ruling priests to talk about helping them arrest Jesus. He was one of the 12 men whom Jesus had chosen to represent him. BSB BSB: Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
11 ARST When the ruling priests heard from Judas, they were very happy. They agreed to pay money to Judas{ to help them arrest Jesus}. So, Judas tried to find a good time to help{ the ruling priests} arrest Jesus. BSB BSB: They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
12 ARST Then it was the first day of the Celebration of Unleavened Bread, the time when people slaughter lambs for the Passover festival. Jesus’ apprentices asked him,“Where should we go to set up the meal for the Passover celebration?” BSB BSB: On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
13 ARST So, Jesus told two of his apprentices{ to prepare everything}. He instructed them,“Enter the city of Jerusalem. There you will encounter a certain man. He will be holding a jar with water in it. Go wherever he does. BSB BSB: So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him,
14 ARST When he goes into a house, tell the man who owns the house,‘Our instructor wants to eat the meal for the Passover celebration with us, his apprentices. He asks you to show us the room that is ready for him.’ BSB BSB: and whichever house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’
15 ARST He will take you to a large room that is upstairs. It will already have everything that we need for preparing and eating a meal. Then, set up the meal for us in that room.” BSB BSB: And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
16 ARST So the two apprentices went away and entered the city of Jerusalem. Everything that Jesus had spoken about happened. Then they set up the meal for the Passover celebration. BSB BSB: So the disciples left and went into the city, where they found everything as Jesus had described. And they prepared the Passover.
17 ARST When it was evening, Jesus arrived at that house with his 12 representatives. BSB BSB: When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.
18 ARST Then, they began to feast. As they ate, Jesus told them,“One of you is going to help{ my enemies} arrest me. This person is eating with me right now! What I have said is true.” BSB BSB: And while they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me.”
19 ARST The apprentices started to become sad. One after another they told Jesus,“I will not do that!” BSB BSB: They began to be grieved and to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I?”
20 ARST Jesus responded,“One of you 12 men whom I have chosen to represent me{ will do that}. It is one of you who is sharing food from this dish with me. BSB BSB: He answered, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping his hand into the bowl with Me.
21 ARST { I say that} because I, the Son of Man, will die. That is what you can read in the Scriptures about me. Nevertheless, how terrible it will be for the man who helps{ my enemies} arrest me, the Son of Man. In fact, that man would be better off if he had never existed.” BSB BSB: The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
22 ARST Then, as they ate, Jesus picked up a loaf of bread. He thanked God{ for the loaf of bread}. He tore it into pieces and handed the pieces to the apprentices{ to eat}. He said,“This{ bread} is my body. Receive it.” BSB BSB: While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it; this is My body.”
23 ARST Then Jesus picked up a cup{ of wine}. He thanked God{ for the wine}. Then, he handed{ the cup of wine} to the apprentices. All of them drank wine from it. BSB BSB: Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 ARST Then Jesus told them,“This wine is my blood, which inaugurates the agreement{ God is making with you}. My blood will flow from my body{ when my enemies kill me}. That will help many people. BSB BSB: He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
25 ARST I will no longer drink any more wine until the time when I drink it again when we participate together in God’ s kingdom. What I have said is true.” BSB BSB: Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”
26 ARST After they sang a song praising God, Jesus and his apprentices walked to the Mount of Olives. BSB BSB: And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27 ARST Then Jesus told them,“{ God had Zechariah} write in the Scriptures,‘I will kill the one who is like a shepherd. Then, the people who are like sheep will flee.’ So, all of you will reject me! BSB BSB: Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
28 ARST However, once God has made me alive again, I will go ahead of you to the region of Galilee{ and meet you there}.” BSB BSB: But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
29 ARST Then Peter told Jesus,“Suppose that everyone else rejects you. Despite that, I will never{ do that}!” BSB BSB: Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I never will.”
30 ARST Jesus replied,“During this day, tonight, before a male chicken crows two times, you will say three times that you are not my apprentice! What I have said is true.” BSB BSB: “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”
31 ARST Peter replied strongly,“I will always say that I am your apprentice, even if I die with you because of that!” The rest{ of the apprentices} said similar things. BSB BSB: But Peter kept insisting, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the others said the same thing.
33 ARST Jesus had Peter, James, and John go with him. Then, Jesus started to become very anxious and upset. BSB BSB: He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.
34 ARST He told those three apprentices,“I am so sad that I feel like I am dying. Stay here and stay awake!” BSB BSB: Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”
35 ARST After saying that, Jesus walked a little further. Then, he kneeled down to pray. He asked God to prevent him from experiencing what was about to happen, if there was any way to do so. BSB BSB: Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour would pass from Him.
37 ARST Then he returned{ to the three apprentices}. He discovered that they were asleep. He{ woke them up and} told Peter,“Simon, it disappoints me that you were asleep. You could not stay awake for even a short time! BSB BSB: Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?
38 ARST You{ men} want to do what I say, but you are not strong enough. Stay awake and pray! That way, nothing can convince you to sin.” BSB BSB: Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
39 ARST Then Jesus walked a short distance away a second time. He prayed again what he had prayed previously. BSB BSB: Again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing.
40 ARST Then he returned a second time{ to the three apprentices}. He discovered that they, because they were so sleepy, had fallen asleep again. They did not know how to respond to him{ when he woke them up}. BSB BSB: And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him.
41 ARST { After Jesus walked away and prayed again}, he returned a third time{ to the three apprentices}. He{ woke them up and} told them,“It disappoints me that you continue to sleep! You have slept enough. The time{ when I will suffer} is beginning! Someone is about to help sinful people arrest me, the Son of Man. BSB BSB: When Jesus returned the third time, He said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42 ARST Stand up! We are going to leave{ this place}. The person who is helping{ my enemies} arrest me has arrived!” BSB BSB: Rise, let us go. See, My betrayer is approaching!”
43 ARST While Jesus was still talking{ to the three apprentices}, Judas came. He was one of the 12 men whom Jesus had chosen to represent him.{ He brought} with him a large group of people carrying swords and clubs. The ruling priests, the teachers of the Jewish law, and the other Jewish leaders had sent them{ to arrest Jesus}. BSB BSB: While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders.
44 ARST Previously, Judas, who was helping{ Jesus’ enemies} arrest him, told the group of people how they would know which man was Jesus. He instructed them,“The man you should arrest is the one whom I will greet affectionately. Guard him while you take him away.” BSB BSB: Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.”
45 ARST As soon as he arrived, Judas went to Jesus and said,“Teacher!” and he greeted Jesus affectionately. BSB BSB: Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
46 ARST Then the large group of people arrested Jesus. BSB BSB: Then the men seized Jesus and arrested Him.
47 ARST One of the men who were there pulled his sword{ out of its sheath}. He attacked a man who served the ruling priest, but he{ only} cut off that man’ s ear. BSB BSB: And one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48 ARST Jesus responded by saying to the group of people,“You did not need to treat me like a dangerous bandit by arming yourselves with swords and clubs to arrest me. BSB BSB: Jesus asked the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw?
49 ARST Each day I was instructing people in the temple area, and you were there. You did not arrest me then! However,{ as these things have happened}, what you can read in the Scriptures has come true.” BSB BSB: Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has happened that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.”
50 ARST Then all{ the apprentices} deserted Jesus and ran away. BSB BSB: Then everyone deserted Him and fled.
51 ARST Now there was a young man there. He was wearing only one thin garment. He had been walking around with Jesus. The people who arrested Jesus tried to arrest him too. BSB BSB: One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body. They caught hold of him,
52 ARST However,{ he escaped by} slipping out of his garment, and he ran away naked. BSB BSB: but he pulled free of the linen cloth and ran away naked.
53 ARST The people who had arrested Jesus took him to{ the house where} the ruling priest{ lived}. All the ruling priests, the other Jewish leaders, and the teachers of the Jewish law assembled there. BSB BSB: They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and scribes assembled.
54 ARST Peter followed Jesus, but he stayed a safe distance away.{ He went} into the area just outside{ the house where} the ruling priest{ lived}. He sat there with the servants near a fire to keep from getting cold. BSB BSB: Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire.
55 ARST The ruling priests and all{ the rest of} the Jewish council tried to find something for which they could accuse Jesus. That way, they could have{ the Roman authorities} execute him. However, they did not find{ anything for which they could accuse him}. BSB BSB: Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.
56 ARST In fact, many people said what was untrue about Jesus. However, these people did not agree about what Jesus had done. BSB BSB: For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent.
57 ARST Then, some other people got up to say what was untrue about Jesus. They declared, BSB BSB: Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him:
58 ARST “We heard him tell people that he would tear down this temple, which humans have built. Then he said that within three days he would construct another temple that God, not humans, would build.” BSB BSB: “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple, and in three days I will build another that is made without hands.’”
59 ARST However, even these people did not agree about exactly what Jesus had said. BSB BSB: But even their testimony was inconsistent.
62 ARST Jesus replied,“That is who I am. You will see me, the Son of Man, ruling powerfully with God.{ You will see me} arriving by means of clouds.” BSB BSB: “I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
63 ARST When he heard that, the ruling priest was so upset that he ripped his clothes. He said,“We certainly do not need anyone else to say anything about him. BSB BSB: At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses?
64 ARST You have heard him insult God! What do you think we should do?” The whole Jewish council agreed that he was guilty and that someone should execute him because of what he had said. BSB BSB: You have heard the blasphemy. What is your verdict?” And they all condemned Him as deserving of death.
65 ARST Then some of them started to spit on Jesus{ to insult him}. They covered his eyes and then struck him{ with their fists}. They demanded,“Speak for God!” When the servants led Jesus away, they slapped him. BSB BSB: Then some of them began to spit on Him. They blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in His face.
66 ARST Meanwhile, Peter was down in the area just outside the{ ruling priest’ s} house. A female servant, one of the servants who served the ruling priest, was there. BSB BSB: While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the servant girls of the high priest came down
67 ARST She noticed Peter, who was near a fire to keep from getting cold. She stared at him and declared,“{ I can tell that} you were an apprentice of Jesus, that man from the town of Nazareth.” BSB BSB: and saw him warming himself there. She looked at Peter and said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.”
68 ARST However, he told her that he was not Jesus’ apprentice. He said,“I do not at all understand what you are talking about!” Then Peter left{ the area just outside the house and walked} to the place where people entered that area. BSB BSB: But he denied it. “I do not know or even understand what you are talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, and the rooster crowed.
69 ARST The female servant noticed him again, and she started to tell the people who were there,“This man belongs to{ Jesus’} group.” BSB BSB: There the servant girl saw him and again said to those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.”
70 ARST However, Peter again said that he was not Jesus’ apprentice. A little later, some people who were there told Peter,“You are from Galilee,{ where Jesus is from}. So, you really must belong to{ Jesus’} group.” BSB BSB: But he denied it again. After a little while, those standing nearby said once more to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you too are a Galilean.”
71 ARST Then Peter started to ask God to punish him if he was lying. He solemnly promised,“I have never met the man about whom you are speaking!” BSB BSB: But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak!”
72 ARST As soon as he said that, a male chicken crowed for a second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had told him. He had said,“Before a male chicken crows two times, you will say three times that you are not my apprentice.” Then Peter became very upset. He cried. BSB BSB: And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he broke down and wept.