Luke 22:39–53

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

³⁹Jesus left the city and went, as he usually did, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples went with him. ⁴⁰When he arrived at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”

⁴¹Then he went off from them about the distance of a stone’s throw and knelt down and prayed. ⁴²“Father,” he said, “if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done.” ⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴In great anguish he prayed even more fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.^b

⁴⁵Rising from his prayer, he went back to the disciples and found them asleep, worn out by their grief. ⁴⁶He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you will not fall into temptation.”

The Arrest of Jesus

⁴⁷Jesus was still speaking when a crowd arrived, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. He came up to Jesus to kiss him. ⁴⁸But Jesus said, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?”

⁴⁹When the disciples who were with Jesus saw what was going to happen, they asked, “Shall we use our swords, Lord?” ⁵⁰And one of them struck the High Priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. ⁵¹But Jesus said, “Enough of this!” He touched the man’s ear and healed him.

⁵²Then Jesus said to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and the elders who had come there to get him, “Did you have to come with swords and clubs, as though I were an outlaw? ^53*I was with you in the Temple every day, and you did not try to arrest me. But this is your hour to act, when the power of darkness rules.”