1Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, drew near. 2And the chief priests and scribes looked for a way to kill Him; but they feared the people’s reaction.

3Then Satan entered into Judas, surnamed Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles. 4And he went and conspired with the chief priests and Temple officials, as to how he might betray Jesus and turn Him over to them. 5And they were delighted, and promised to pay him money. 6And he agreed, and began looking for an opportunity to betray and turn Him over to them when the crowd of people was not present.

7Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb must be killed. 8And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us to eat. 9And they asked Him, “Where would You want us to prepare it?” 10And He told them, “When you enter the city, a man bearing a pitcher of water shall meet you; follow him to the house that he enters. 11And say to the owner of the house, ‘The Master asks, “Where is the guest-room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 12And he will show you a large upper room, all furnished; make the preparation there.” 13And they went, and found things just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover there. 14And when the hour came, Jesus and the twelve apostles sat (reclined) at the table. 15And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16For I tell you, I will not eat it again, until its meaning is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17And He took the cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this, and divide it among you; 18For I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me.” 20 In the same way, after supper, He said, “This cup is the new testament (covenant) in My blood, which is shed for you. 21But the hand of him that will betray Me is on the table with Mine. 22And truly the Son of man will go as it was decreed; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23And they began to question among themselves, which of them would do this.

24And a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be considered the greatest. 25And Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those that exercise authority over them are called benefactors (‘friends of the people’). 26But you shall not be like that; but he that is greatest among you should be like the youngest (lowest in rank); and the leader should be like a servant. 27For who is greater - he that dines, or he that serves? Is it not he that dines? But I am among you as he that serves.”

28“You are they who have stood with Me in My trials. 29And just as My Father has conferred a kingdom upon Me, I now bestow a kingdom upon you, 30So that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

31And then the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have you, that he may sift all of you as wheat; 32But I have prayed for you, that your faith does not fail. And when you have turned back to Me, strengthen your brethren.” 33And Peter said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, either to prison, or to death.” 34And Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day, before you shall have denied Me three times.”

35And Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse, bag, or shoes, did you lack anything?” And they said, “Nothing.” 36Then said He to them, “But now, if you have a purse, or a bag, take it with you; and if you have no sword, sell a garment, and buy a sword. 37For I tell you, what is written about Me must yet be fulfilled in Me: ‘He was counted among the transgressors’; for the things concerning Me are about to reach fulfillment.” 38And they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “That is enough.”

39And Jesus went, as was His custom, to the Mount of Olives; and His disciples followed Him. 40And when He reached that place, He said to them, “Pray that you do not fall into temptation.” 41And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt, and prayed, 42Saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43And an angel from heaven appeared unto Him, strengthening Him. 44And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground. 45And when He rose from prayer, and came back to His disciples, He found them sleeping, exhausted from sorrow, 46And He asked them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray, that you do not fall into temptation.”

47And while He was still speaking, a crowd approached, and Judas, one of His twelve, was leading them, and approached Jesus to kiss Him. 48But Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?”

49When those who were about Him saw what was developing, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with our swords?” 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51But Jesus answered, “Allow this thus far.” And He touched the servant’s ear, and healed him. 52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, officials of the Temple, and the elders, who had come for Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 I was with you every day in the Temple, and you did not lay a hand on Me; but this is your hour, when darkness reigns.”

54Then they seized Him, and led Him away, and brought Him to the high priest's house. And Peter followed at a distance. 55And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56But a servant girl looked closely at him as he sat by the fire, and said, “This man was also with Him.” 57But Peter denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” 58And after a little while someone else saw him, and said, “You are also one of them.” And Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59And after about an hour, another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with Him; for he is a Galilean.” 60And Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” And immediately, while he yet spoke, the rooster crowed. 61And the Lord turned, and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the words of the Lord, when He had said to him, “Before the cock crows, you shall deny Me thrice.” 62And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

63And the men that were guarding Jesus began mocking Him, and hitting Him. 64They blindfolded Him, then struck Him on the face, and said to Him, “Prophesy, who is it that hit You?” 65And many other blasphemous things they said to Him.

66And at daybreak, the elders of the people, chief priests, and the scribes met together, and led Him into their council, asking, 67“Are You the Christ (the Messiah)? Tell us.” And He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe Me; 68And if I ask you a question, you will not answer Me, nor let Me go. 69But hereafter you shall the Son of man seated on the right hand of Almighty God.” 70Then they all asked, “Are You, then, the Son of God?” And He said to them, “You say that I am.” 71And then they said, “Why do we need any further witnesses? For we ourselves have heard it from His own mouth.”