Mark 14:26–65

²⁶After they sang a hymn, they went to the Mount of Olives. 

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial—Matthew 26:31–35; Luke 22:31–34; John 13:36–38

²⁷Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will abandon me. Scripture says, 

‘I will strike the shepherd, 

and the sheep will be scattered.’ 

²⁸“But after I am brought back to life, I will go to Galilee ahead of you.” 

²⁹Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else abandons you, I won’t.” 

³⁰Jesus said to Peter, “I can guarantee this truth: Tonight, before a rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” 

³¹But Peter said very strongly, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never say that I don’t know you.” All the other disciples said the same thing. 

Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane—Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46

³²Then they came to a place called Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Stay here while I pray.” 

³³He took Peter, James, and John with him and began to feel distressed and anguished. ³⁴He said to them, “My anguish is so great that I feel as if I’m dying. Wait here, and stay awake.” 

³⁵After walking a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible he might not have to suffer what was ahead of him. ³⁶He said, “Abba!^bFather! You can do anything. Take this cup ⸤of suffering⸥ away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine.” 

³⁷He went back and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake for one hour? ³⁸Stay awake, and pray that you won’t be tempted. You want to do what’s right, but you’re weak.” 

³⁹He went away again and prayed the same prayer as before. ⁴⁰He found them asleep because they couldn’t keep their eyes open. They didn’t even know what they should say to him. 

⁴¹He came back a third time and said to them, “You might as well sleep now. It’s all over.^cThe time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. ⁴²Get up! Let’s go! The one who is betraying me is near.” 

Jesus Is Arrested—Matthew 26:47–56; Luke 22:47–54a; John 18:1–14

⁴³Just then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, arrived. A crowd carrying swords and clubs was with him. They were from the chief priests, the experts in Moses’ Teachings, and the leaders of the people. ⁴⁴Now, the traitor had given them a signal. He said, “The one I kiss is the man you want. Arrest him, and guard him closely as you take him away.” 

⁴⁵Then Judas quickly stepped up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 

⁴⁶Some men took hold of Jesus and arrested him. ⁴⁷One of those standing there pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest’s servant. 

⁴⁸Jesus asked them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I were a criminal? ⁴⁹I used to teach in the temple courtyard every day. But you didn’t arrest me then. But what the Scriptures say must come true.” 

⁵⁰Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away. 

⁵¹A certain young man was following Jesus. He had nothing on but a linen sheet. They tried to arrest him, ⁵²but he left the linen sheet behind and ran away naked. 

The Trial in Front of the Jewish Council—Matthew 26:57–68; Luke 22:63–71

⁵³The men took Jesus to the chief priest. All the chief priests, the leaders, and the experts in Moses’ Teachings had gathered together. ⁵⁴Peter followed him at a distance and went into the chief priest’s courtyard. He sat with the guards and warmed himself facing the glow of a fire. 

⁵⁵The chief priests and the whole Jewish council were searching for some testimony against Jesus in order to execute him. But they couldn’t find any. ⁵⁶Many gave false testimony against him, but their statements did not agree. 

⁵⁷Then some men stood up and gave false testimony against him. They said, ⁵⁸“We heard him say, ‘I’ll tear down this temple made by humans, and in three days I’ll build another temple, one not made by human hands.’ ” ⁵⁹But their testimony did not agree even on this point. 

⁶⁰So the chief priest stood up in the center and asked Jesus, “Don’t you have any answer to what these men testify against you?” 

⁶¹But he was silent. 

The chief priest asked him again, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 

⁶²Jesus answered, “Yes, I am, and you will see the Son of Man in the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. He will be coming with the clouds of heaven.” 

⁶³The chief priest tore his clothes ⸤in horror⸥ and said, “Why do we need any more witnesses? ⁶⁴You’ve heard him dishonor God! What’s your verdict?” 

All of them condemned him with the death sentence. ⁶⁵Some of them began to spit on him. They covered his face and hit him with their fists. They said to him, “Prophesy!” Even the guards took him and slapped him.