Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

After two days, it was time for the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes were secretly plotting to capture Jesus by stealth and put him to death.

They said, "Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people." But while he was in Bethany at Simon the leper's house, sitting down to eat with his disciples, a woman came with an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, very precious. She broke the box and poured it on Jesus' head.

Some of the disciples were indignant within themselves, saying, "Why was this ointment wasted? For it could have been sold for more than three hundred pence and given to the poor." But they murmured against her. Leave her alone," Jesus said. "Why trouble her? She has done a good thing for me. You will always have the poor with you, but I won't always be here."

She has done what she could, and anointed my body beforehand for burial," Jesus said. Wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, that also which she has done shall be spoken of as a memorial to her.

As they were discussing this, Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, went secretly to the chief priests to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money, but he was looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples asked him, "Where will you have us go and prepare?" He sent two of his disciples into the city, saying, "Go there and meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him." The man would show them a large upper room that was furnished and prepared for Jesus to eat the Passover with his disciples.

Jesus' disciples went out and found everything just as he had told them. They made ready the Passover. In the evening, Jesus came with the twelve disciples. One of you who is eating with me will betray me," Jesus said. "Who?" they asked one by one. "Is it I?" But Jesus knew what was going to happen.

One of you who shares my bread in this dish will betray me," Jesus said. The Son of Man is going to suffer, just as it has been written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man; it would be better for him if he had never been born."

As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "Take, eat. This is my body." He also gave them a cup and said, "This is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for many." I'll drink no more wine until that day when I drink it anew with you in the kingdom of God."

After they sang a hymn, Jesus led his disciples out to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, "Tonight all of you will stumble because of me, just as it has been written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will scatter.'"

But after I am raised up, I'll go before you into Galilee," Jesus said. Peter said, "Although everyone else might desert you, I'll stand by you." But Jesus replied, "Before the rooster crows twice tonight, you will deny me three times."

When they came to a place called Gethsemane, Jesus told his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter and James and John with him and began to be deeply troubled. My soul is filled with grief even unto death," he said. Stay here and keep watch.

Jesus went forward a little distance, fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, this cup of suffering might pass from him. Abba, Father, all things are possible for you," Jesus prayed. Take away this cup from me; but not my will, but yours be done."

He came back to find his disciples asleep again, their eyes heavy with sleep. He woke them up and said, "Watch and pray so that you won't fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again he prayed, repeating the same words.

When Jesus returned a third time, he found his disciples asleep once more. It's enough," he said. "The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners." Arise and let us go," Jesus said to them. Look, he who betrays me is at hand."

Just as Jesus was speaking, Judas Iscariot arrived with a large crowd armed with swords and clubs from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. He had given them a signal: whoever I kiss is him; take him away safely." As soon as Judas arrived, he went straight to Jesus and said, "Teacher," giving him a kiss.

They laid their hands on Jesus and took him. One of those standing nearby drew his sword and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear. Jesus answered them, "You've come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like a common thief? I was with you in the temple every day, teaching, but you didn't take me into custody."

The crowd left Jesus and fled. A young man followed him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth around his body. They grabbed hold of him, but he ran off naked, leaving behind the linen cloth.

They led Jesus to the high priest's palace, accompanied by all the chief priests, elders, and scribes. Peter followed at a distance, even into the courtyard where they were warming themselves by the fire.

The chief priests and council members were seeking witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, but they couldn't find any who testified consistently. Some people gave false testimony, saying, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple made by human hands, and within three days I'll build another one.'"

But their testimony didn't match up. The high priest stood up and asked Jesus, "Don't you have a response to these witnesses' accusations?" But Jesus held his peace and said nothing.

The high priest asked him again, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" Jesus replied, "I am; you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven."

The high priest tore his clothes in disgust, exclaiming, "Do we need further witnesses? They all condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy.

Some people spat on him, covered his face, beat him, and said, "Prophesy." Meanwhile, the guards slapped him. As Peter warmed himself by the fire in the courtyard, a servant of the high priest approached him and said, "You were with Jesus from Nazareth too, weren't you?"

Peter denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you're talking about." He went out into the courtyard entrance, where a rooster crowed.

A maid saw Peter again and started telling those nearby, "This man is one of them." They said to him once more, "You must be one of them; your accent gives you away."

Peter began to curse and swear, saying, "I don't know the man you're talking about." But when he remembered Jesus' words, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times," he wept.