The Plot to Kill Jesus (Mark 14:1–2; Luke 22:1–2; John 11:45–57)
1 UST So, Jesus completed saying all those things. Then, he told his apprentices, BSB BSB: When Jesus had finished saying all these things, He told His disciples,
2 UST “As you know, two days from now, the Passover festival will begin. At that time, somebody will help the authorities arrest me, the Son of Man. They will have people kill me by nailing me to a cross.” BSB BSB: “You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
4 UST They started to plan a clever way to arrest Jesus and have others execute him. BSB BSB: and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.
5 UST However, they agreed that they would not act during the Passover festival. 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.”
Jesus Anointed at Bethany (Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8)
6 UST One time, Jesus{ and his apprentices} were in the village of Bethany. They were in the home of Simon, who used to have a skin disease. BSB BSB: While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,
7 UST While Jesus was feasting{ there}, a woman came to him. She brought with her a stone jar that contained a valuable, fragrant ointment. She poured the ointment on Jesus’ head. BSB BSB: a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.
8 UST When the apprentices noticed{ what the woman had done}, they were very upset. They declared,“She wasted{ the valuable ointment}! BSB BSB: When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and asked, “Why this waste?
9 UST She could have sold it for a lot of money! Then, she could have given{ that money} to poor people.” BSB BSB: This perfume could have been sold at a high price, and the money given to the poor.”
10 UST However, Jesus realized{ what they were saying}. He told them,“Do not bother this woman!{ I say that} because what she did to me was right. BSB BSB: Aware of this, Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.
11 UST 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, but you will not always have Me.
12 UST When she poured this ointment on me, she was getting me ready for when someone buries me. BSB BSB: By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial.
13 UST In every place where my apprentices proclaim the good news, they will also tell what this woman just did. That way, people remember her. What I have said is true.” BSB BSB: Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus (Mark 14:10–11; Luke 22:3–6)
14 UST After that, one of Jesus’ 12 representatives visited the ruling priests. This man’ s name was Judas Iscariot. BSB BSB: Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
15 UST He said to them,“Suppose that I help you arrest Jesus. How much money would you pay me?”{ In response,} they offered Judas 30 silver coins. BSB BSB: and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.
16 UST From that moment on, Judas tried to find a good time to help{ the ruling priests} arrest Jesus. BSB BSB: So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Preparing the Passover (Mark 14:12–16; Luke 22:7–13)
17 UST During the first day of the Celebration of Unleavened Bread, the apprentices came to Jesus. They asked him,“Where should we set up the meal for the Passover celebration?” BSB BSB: On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
18 UST Jesus told them,“Enter the city of Jerusalem and find a certain man. Tell him,‘Our instructor says that something important is about to happen to him. He wants to eat the meal for the Passover celebration with us, his apprentices, in your home.’” BSB BSB: He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’”
19 UST The apprentices did what Jesus told them to do. They{ went to that man’ s house and} set up the meal for the Passover celebration. BSB BSB: So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
The Last Supper (Mark 14:17–26; Luke 22:14–23; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34)
20 UST When it was evening, Jesus and his 12 representatives began to feast. BSB BSB: When evening came, Jesus was reclining with the twelve disciples.
21 UST As they ate, Jesus told them,“One of you is going to help{ my enemies} arrest me. What I have said is true.” BSB BSB: And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”
22 UST The apprentices became very sad. Every one of them told Jesus,“Lord, I will not do that!” BSB BSB: They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?”
23 UST Jesus replied,“The one who will help{ my enemies} arrest me is eating food here with me. BSB BSB: Jesus answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me.
24 UST 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.”
25 UST Judas, the one who was going to help{ his enemies} arrest him, replied,“Teacher, I will not do that!” Jesus replied,“Yes you will.” BSB BSB: Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.”
26 UST As they ate, Jesus picked up a loaf of bread. He thanked God{ for the loaf of bread}. Then, he tore it into pieces and handed the pieces to the apprentices{ to eat}. He said,“This{ bread} is my body. Receive 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 and eat; this is My body.”
27 UST Then Jesus picked up a cup{ of wine}. He thanked God{ for the wine}. Then, he handed{ the cup of wine} to the apprentices. He said,“All of you must drink wine from this cup. BSB BSB: Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.
28 UST 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 way, God will forgive the sins of many people. BSB BSB: This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 UST Here is what I want to tell you: From this moment on, I will not drink any more wine until the time when I drink it again with you when we participate in God my Father’ s kingdom.” BSB BSB: I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
30 UST 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.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial (Zechariah 13:7–9; Mark 14:27–31; Luke 22:31–38; John 13:36–38)
31 UST After that, 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 in his flock will flee.’ So, tonight all of you will reject me! BSB BSB: Then Jesus said to them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 UST 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.”
33 UST Peter replied,“Suppose that everyone else rejects you. Despite that, I will never reject you!” BSB BSB: Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”
34 UST Jesus replied,“Tonight before male chickens crow{ at dawn}, you will say three times that you are not my apprentice! What I have said is true.” BSB BSB: “Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
35 UST Peter told him,“I will always say that I am your apprentice, even if I die with you because of that!” The rest of the apprentices said the same thing. BSB BSB: Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.
Jesus Prays at Gethsemane (Mark 14:32–42; Luke 22:39–46)
36 UST After that, Jesus and his apprentices walked to a place whose name was Gethsemane. He told the apprentices,“Stay here. I will walk over there and pray{ to God}.” BSB BSB: Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
37 UST Jesus had Peter and Zebedee’ s two sons{, James and John}, go with him. Then, Jesus started to become very sad and upset. BSB BSB: He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
38 UST He told those three apprentices,“I am so sad that I feel like I am dying. Stay here and stay awake with me!” BSB BSB: Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”
39 UST After saying that, Jesus walked a little further. Then, he kneeled down to pray. He said,“God my Father, if there is any way to do so, please prevent me from suffering terribly. However, please do what you want to do, not what I want you to do.” BSB BSB: Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
40 UST Then he returned to the three apprentices. He discovered that they were asleep. He{ woke them up} and rebuked Peter,“It disappoints me that you{ men} could not stay awake with me for just a short time! BSB BSB: Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.
41 UST You 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.”
42 UST Then Jesus walked a short distance away a second time. He prayed,“God my Father, there may be no way to prevent me from suffering terribly. So, please do what you want to do!” BSB BSB: A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”
43 UST Then he returned a second time{ to the three apprentices}. He discovered that they, because they were so sleepy, had fallen asleep again. BSB BSB: And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44 UST So, Jesus walked a short distance away a third time. He prayed again what he had prayed before. BSB BSB: So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing.
45 UST Then he returned to the three apprentices. He{ woke them up and} rebuked them,“It disappoints me that you continue to sleep! The time{ when I will suffer} is about to begin! Someone is about to help sinful people arrest me, the Son of Man. BSB BSB: Then He returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 UST 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!”
The Betrayal of Jesus (Mark 14:43–52; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:1–14)
48 UST 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.” BSB BSB: Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.”
49 UST As soon as he arrived, Judas went to Jesus and said,“Greetings, Teacher!” Then he greeted Jesus affectionately. BSB BSB: Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
50 UST Jesus told him,“My friend, I know why you are really here.” After that, the large group of people arrested Jesus. BSB BSB: “Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him.
53 UST You should realize that I could ask God my Father to protect me, and he would immediately send more than 12 armies of angels to do so! BSB BSB: Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
54 UST { However, if I did that,} then what people wrote in the Scriptures would not come true. They wrote that what is happening to me has to occur.” BSB BSB: But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”
55 UST At that time, Jesus told the groups of people{ who were arresting him},“You did not need to treat me like a dangerous bandit by arming yourselves with swords and clubs to arrest me. Each day I was peacefully instructing people in the temple area. You did not arrest me then! BSB BSB: At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me.
56 UST However, as all these things have happened, what the prophets wrote has come true.” After that, all of Jesus’ apprentices deserted him and ran away. BSB BSB: But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:53–65; Luke 22:66–71; John 18:19–24)
58 UST 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. That way, he could see what was going to happen. BSB BSB: But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59 UST The ruling priests and all{ the rest of} the Jewish council tried to find{ people who would say} what was untrue about Jesus. That way, they could have{ the Roman authorities} execute him. BSB BSB: Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.
60 UST However, even though many people said what was untrue about Jesus, the Jewish council did not find{ anything that they could tell the Roman authorities about}. Finally, two people came forward. BSB BSB: But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
61 UST They said,“This man said that he could tear down God’ s temple and construct it again within three days.” BSB BSB: and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
62 UST Then the ruling priest stood up. He asked Jesus,“Are you going to reply? How do you respond to what these people have said about you?” BSB BSB: So the high priest stood up and asked Him, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?”
63 UST Despite that, Jesus kept quiet. Then the ruling priest told him,“I want you to have the only real God guarantee that you will say truthfully whether you are the Messiah, God’ s Son.” BSB BSB: But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
64 UST Jesus replied,“What you have called me is right. In fact, here is what I want to tell you: From this time on, you will see me, the Son of Man, ruling powerfully with God.{ You will see me} arriving by means of clouds.” BSB BSB: “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 UST When he heard that, the ruling priest was so upset that he ripped his outer garments. He said,“This man has insulted God! We certainly do not need anyone else to say anything about him. You all just heard him insult God! BSB BSB: At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
66 UST What should we decide to do?” The Jewish council replied,“Someone should execute him because of what he has said!” BSB BSB: What do you think?” “He deserves to die,” they answered.
67 UST After that, some of the people there spit in Jesus’ face{ to insult him}. They struck him{ with their fists}. They slapped him BSB BSB: Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him
68 UST and demanded,“{ You who claim to be the} Messiah, prove to us that you speak for God! Name the people who just struck you!” BSB BSB: and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”
Peter Denies Jesus (Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:54–62; John 18:15–18)
69 UST Meanwhile, Peter was sitting down in the area just outside the{ ruling priest’ s} house. A female servant came up to him and said,“{ I can tell that} you were an apprentice of Jesus, that man from the region of Galilee.” BSB BSB: Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.
70 UST However, while everyone there was listening, he told them that he was not Jesus’ apprentice. He said,“I do not understand what you are talking about!” BSB BSB: But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”
71 UST Then Peter walked to the entrance{ into the area just outside the house}. Another female servant noticed him there. She told the people who were standing nearby,“This man was an apprentice of Jesus, that man from the town of Nazareth.” BSB BSB: When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 UST Peter again said that he was not Jesus’ apprentice. He solemnly promised,“I have never met that man!” BSB BSB: And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!”
73 UST A little later, some people who were there came up to Peter. They told him,“When you talk, you sound like{ you are from where Jesus is from}. So, you must really be one of his apprentices.” BSB BSB: After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.”
74 UST After they said that, Peter asked God to punish him if he was lying. Then he solemnly promised,“I have never met that man!” As soon as he said that, a male chicken crowed. BSB BSB: At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
75 UST Then Peter remembered what Jesus had told him. He had said,“Before male chickens crow{ at dawn}, you will say three times that you are not my apprentice.” Peter left{ the area just outside the ruling priest’ s house} and cried very sorrowfully. BSB BSB: Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.