The Plot to Kill Jesus (Matthew 26:1–5; Luke 22:1–2; John 11:45–57)
1 UDB It was only two days before the people would begin to celebrate the week-long festival that they called the Passover. During those days they also celebrated the festival which they called Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the men who taught the Jewish laws were planning how they could arrest Jesus secretly and put him to death. 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 UDB But they were saying to one another, "We must not do it during the festival because if we do it then, the people will be very angry with us and riot!" BSB BSB: “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany (Matthew 26:6–13; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8)
3 UDB Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon, who was known as a leper. While they were eating, a woman came to him. She was carrying a stone jar that contained expensive, fragrant perfume called nard. She opened the jar and then poured all the perfume on Jesus's 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 UDB Some of the people who were present became angry and said to themselves, "It is terrible that she wasted that perfume! BSB BSB: Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?
5 UDB It could have been sold for almost a year's wages and then the money could have been given to poor people!" So they scolded 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 UDB But Jesus said, "Stop scolding her! She has done to me what I consider to be very appropriate. So you should not bother her! BSB BSB: But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.
7 UDB You will always have poor people among you. So you can help them whenever you want to. But I will not be here with you much longer. 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 UDB It is appropriate that she has done what she could do. It is as if she had known that I was going to die soon, because she has anointed my body ahead of time so that it is ready for burial. BSB BSB: She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.
9 UDB I will tell you this: Wherever my followers preach the good news throughout the world, they will also tell what she has done, and people will remember her." 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.”
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16; Luke 22:3–6)
10 UDB Then Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests to talk about helping them to capture Jesus. He did that even though he was one of the twelve disciples. BSB BSB: Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
11 UDB When the chief priests heard what he was willing to do for them, they were very happy. They promised that they would give him a large amount of money in return. Judas agreed and began watching for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them. 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.
Preparing the Passover (Matthew 26:17–19; Luke 22:7–13)
12 UDB On the first day of the festival that they call Unleavened Bread, when they kill the lambs for the Passover, Jesus's disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare the meal for the Passover Celebration so that we can eat it?" 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 UDB So Jesus chose two of his disciples to prepare everything. He said to them, "Go into Jerusalem. A man will meet you, who will be carrying a large jar full of water. Follow him. 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 UDB When he enters a house, say to the man who owns the house, 'Our teacher wants us to prepare the meal of the Passover Celebration so that he can eat it with us his disciples. Please show us the room.' 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 UDB He will show you a large room that is on the upper floor of the house. It will be furnished and ready for us to eat a meal in it. Then prepare the meal there for us." BSB BSB: And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
16 UDB So the two disciples left. They went into the city and found everything to be just like he had told them. They prepared the meal for the Passover Celebration there. BSB BSB: So the disciples left and went into the city, where they found everything as Jesus had described. And they prepared the Passover.
The Last Supper (Matthew 26:20–30; Luke 22:14–23; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34)
17 UDB When it was evening, Jesus arrived at that house with the twelve disciples. BSB BSB: When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.
18 UDB As they were all sitting there and eating, Jesus said, "Listen carefully to this: One of you will make it possible for my enemies to arrest me. It is one of you who is eating with me right now!" 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 UDB The disciples became very sad and they said to him one by one, "Surely it is not I?" BSB BSB: They began to be grieved and to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I?”
20 UDB Then he said to them, "It is one of you twelve disciples, the one who is dipping bread into the sauce in the dish along 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 UDB It is certain that I, the Son of Man, will die, because that is what has been written about me. But there will be terrible punishment for the man who betrays me! In fact, he would have been better off if he had never been born!" 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 UDB While they were eating, he took a flat loaf of bread and thanked God for it. Then he broke it into pieces and gave it to them and said to them, "This bread is my body. Take it and eat 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 UDB Afterwards, he took a cup that contained wine and thanked God for it. Then he gave it to them and they all drank. BSB BSB: Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24 UDB He said to them, "This wine is my blood, which is about to be shed when my enemies kill me. With this blood I will confirm the covenant that God has made to forgive the sins of many people. BSB BSB: He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
25 UDB I want you to know this: I will not drink any more wine until the time when I drink it again when God shows himself as king." 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 UDB After they sang a hymn, they went out toward the Mount of Olives. BSB BSB: And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial (Zechariah 13:7–9; Matthew 26:31–35; Luke 22:31–38; John 13:36–38)
27 UDB While they were on their way, Jesus said to them, "They wrote in the scriptures that God said about me, 'I will kill the shepherd and scatter his sheep.' Those words will come true. You will leave me and run away. 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 UDB But after God makes me alive again, I will go ahead of you to the district of Galilee and meet you there." BSB BSB: But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
29 UDB Then Peter said to him, "Perhaps all the other disciples will leave you, but I will not leave you!" BSB BSB: Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I never will.”
30 UDB Then Jesus said to him, "The truth is that this very night, before the rooster crows two times, you will say about me three times that you do not know me. BSB BSB: “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”
31 UDB But Peter replied strongly, "Even if they kill me, I will not say that I do not know you." And all the other disciples said the same thing. 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.
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46)
33 UDB Then he took Peter, James, and John with him. He became extremely upset. BSB BSB: He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.
34 UDB He said to them, "I am very sorrowful. It is as if I were about to die. You men stay here and keep watch!" BSB BSB: Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”
35 UDB He went a bit farther and threw himself on the ground. Then he prayed that if it were possible, he would not have to suffer. 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 UDB Then he returned and found his disciples sleeping. He woke them up and said, "Simon! Are you sleeping? Were you not able to stay awake for just 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 UDB And he said to them, "You want to do what I say, but you are weak. So keep awake and pray so that you can resist when you are tempted!" BSB BSB: Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
39 UDB Then he went away again and prayed again what he prayed before. BSB BSB: Again He went away and prayed, saying the same thing.
40 UDB When he returned, he found that they were sleeping again; they were so sleepy that they could not keep their eyes open. Because they were ashamed, they did not know what to say to him when he awakened them. 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 UDB Then he went and prayed again. He returned a third time and found them sleeping again. He said to them, "You are still asleep? No more of this! The time for me to suffer is about to begin. Look! Someone is about to enable sinful men to capture 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 UDB So get up! Let us go! Look! Here comes the one who is enabling them to capture me!" BSB BSB: Rise, let us go. See, My betrayer is approaching!”
The Betrayal of Jesus (Matthew 26:47–56; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:1–14)
43 UDB While he was still speaking, Judas arrived. Even though he was one of Jesus's twelve disciples, he came to enable Jesus's enemies to capture him. A crowd who carried swords and clubs was with him. The leaders of the Jewish council had sent them. 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 UDB Judas, who was betraying Jesus, had previously told this crowd, "The man whom I kiss is the one you want. When I kiss him, seize him and lead 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 UDB So when Judas arrived, he immediately went to Jesus and said, "My teacher!" Then he kissed Jesus. BSB BSB: Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
46 UDB Then the crowd seized Jesus. BSB BSB: Then the men seized Jesus and arrested Him.
47 UDB But one of the disciples who was standing nearby drew his sword. He struck the servant of the high priest with it, but he only cut off his ear. BSB BSB: And one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48 UDB Jesus said to them, "It is ridiculous that you come here to seize me with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber! Day after day I was with you in the temple courtyard teaching the people! Why did you not arrest me then? But this is happening so that what the prophets have written in the scriptures about me may come true." BSB BSB: Jesus asked the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw?
50 UDB All the disciples at once left him and ran away. BSB BSB: Then everyone deserted Him and fled.
51 UDB At that time, a young man was following Jesus. He was wearing only a linen cloth around his body. The crowd seized him, BSB BSB: One young man who had been following Jesus was wearing a linen cloth around his body. They caught hold of him,
52 UDB but, as he pulled away from them, he left behind the linen cloth in their hands, and then he ran away naked. BSB BSB: but he pulled free of the linen cloth and ran away naked.
Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57–68; Luke 22:66–71; John 18:19–24)
53 UDB The men who had seized Jesus led him away to the high priest's house. All of the Jewish council members were gathering there. BSB BSB: They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders, and scribes assembled.
54 UDB Peter followed Jesus at a distance. He went into the courtyard of the house where the high priest lived, and he sat there with the men who guarded the house of the high priest. He was warming himself beside a fire. 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 UDB The chief priests and all the rest of the Jewish council were looking for evidence against Jesus that would be strong enough to put him to death. But they did not find any evidence that would require the officials to put him to death. 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 UDB Many other people told lies about Jesus, but the statements they made did not agree with each other. And so their statements were not strong enough to make a charge against Jesus. BSB BSB: For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent.
57 UDB Finally, some stood up and accused him falsely by saying, BSB BSB: Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him:
58 UDB "We heard him when he said, 'I will destroy this temple that was built by men, and then within three days I will build another temple without help from anyone else.'" 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 UDB But what some of these men said also did not agree with what others of them said. BSB BSB: But even their testimony was inconsistent.
62 UDB Jesus said, "I am. Furthermore, you will see me, the Son of Man, ruling beside the Almighty, the one who has complete power. You will also see me coming with the clouds of heaven, as the scriptures predicted that the Christ would return!" 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 UDB When Jesus said this, the high priest tore his own outer garment in protest, and the high priest said, "Do we need more witnesses to testify against this man? BSB BSB: At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses?
64 UDB You have heard his blasphemy! He claims to be God!" They all agreed that Jesus was guilty and that he deserved to be put to death. BSB BSB: You have heard the blasphemy. What is your verdict?” And they all condemned Him as deserving of death.
65 UDB Then some of them began spitting on Jesus. They put a blindfold on him, and then they began striking him and saying to him, "If you are a prophet, tell us who hit you!" And those who were guarding Jesus struck him with their hands. 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.
Peter Denies Jesus (Matthew 26:69–75; Luke 22:54–62; John 18:15–18)
66 UDB While Peter was outside in the courtyard of the high priest's house, one of the girls who worked for the high priest came near him. BSB BSB: While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the servant girls of the high priest came down
67 UDB When she saw Peter warming himself beside the fire, she looked at him closely. Then she said, "You also were with Jesus, that man from Nazareth!" BSB BSB: and saw him warming himself there. She looked at Peter and said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.”
68 UDB But he denied it by saying, "I do not know what you are talking about! I understand nothing of it!" Then he went away from there to the gate of the courtyard. 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 UDB The servant girl saw him there and said again to the people who were standing nearby, "This man is one of those who have been with that man they arrested." BSB BSB: There the servant girl saw him and again said to those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.”
70 UDB But he denied it again. After a little while, those who were standing there said to Peter again, "You also are from Galilee. So it is certain that you are one of those who accompanied Jesus!" 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 UDB But he began to say that God could punish him if he were not telling the truth; he said, "I do not know the man that you are talking about!" BSB BSB: But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak!”
72 UDB Immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him earlier: "Before the rooster crows a second time, you will deny three times that you know me." When he realized that he had denied him three times, he started crying. 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.