Luke 22:21–71

²¹But someone here is going to hand me over to my enemies. His hand is with mine on the table. ²²The Son of Man will go to his death, just as God has already decided. But how terrible it will be for the one who hands him over!”

²³The apostles began to ask each other about this. They wondered which one of them would do it.

²⁴They also started to argue. They disagreed about which of them was thought to be the most important person.

²⁵Jesus said to them, “The kings of the nations hold power over their people. And those who order them around call themselves Protectors. ²⁶But you must not be like that. Instead, the most important among you should be like the youngest. The one who rules should be like the one who serves.

²⁷“Who is more important? Is it the one at the table, or the one who serves? Isn’t it the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸You have stood by me during my troubles. ²⁹And I give you a kingdom, just as my Father gave me a kingdom. ³⁰Then you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.

³¹“Simon, Simon! Satan has asked to sift you disciples like wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, Simon. I have prayed that your faith will not fail. When you have turned back, help your brothers to be strong.”

³³But Simon replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

³⁴Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, you will say three times that you don’t know me. And you will do it before the rooster crows today.”

³⁵Then Jesus asked the disciples, “Did you need anything when I sent you without a purse, bag or sandals?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

³⁶He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it. And also take a bag. If you don’t have a sword, sell your coat and buy one. ³⁷It is written, ‘He was counted among those who had committed crimes.’ I tell you that what is written about me must come true. Yes, it is already coming true.”

³⁸The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That is enough,” he replied.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

³⁹Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives. His disciples followed him. ⁴⁰When they reached the place, Jesus spoke. “Pray that you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted,” he said to them.

⁴¹Then he went a short distance away from them. There he got down on his knees and prayed. ⁴²He said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup of suffering away from me. But do what you want, not what I want.”

⁴³An angel from heaven appeared to Jesus and gave him strength. ⁴⁴Because he was very sad and troubled, he prayed even harder. His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

⁴⁵After that, he got up from prayer and went back to the disciples. He found them sleeping. They were worn out because they were very sad.

⁴⁶“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up! Pray that you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted.”

Jesus Is Arrested

⁴⁷While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd came up. The man named Judas was leading them. He was one of the Twelve. Judas approached Jesus to kiss him.

⁴⁸But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you handing over the Son of Man with a kiss?”

⁴⁹Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen. So they said, “Lord, should we use our swords against them?” ⁵⁰One of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹But Jesus answered, “Stop this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

⁵²Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders. They had all come for him. “Am I leading a band of armed men against you?” he asked. “Do you have to come with swords and clubs? ⁵³Every day I was with you in the temple courtyard. And you didn’t lay a hand on me. But this is your hour. This is when darkness rules.”

Peter Says He Does Not Know Jesus

⁵⁴Then the men arrested Jesus and led him away. They took him into the high priest’s house. Peter followed from far away. ⁵⁵They started a fire in the middle of the courtyard. Then they sat down together. Peter sat down with them.

⁵⁶A female servant saw him sitting there in the firelight. She looked closely at him. Then she said, “This man was with Jesus.”

⁵⁷But Peter said he had not been with him. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

⁵⁸A little later someone else saw Peter. “You also are one of them,” he said.

“No,” Peter replied. “I’m not!”

⁵⁹About an hour later, another person spoke up. “This fellow must have been with Jesus,” he said. “He is from Galilee.”

⁶⁰Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹The Lord turned and looked right at Peter. Then Peter remembered what the Lord had spoken to him. “The rooster will crow today,” Jesus had said. “Before it does, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” ⁶²Peter went outside. He broke down and sobbed.

The Guards Make Fun of Jesus

⁶³There were men guarding Jesus. They began laughing at him and beating him. ⁶⁴They blindfolded him. They said, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” ⁶⁵They also said many other things to make fun of him.

Jesus Is Brought to Pilate and Herod

⁶⁶At dawn the elders of the people met together. These included the chief priests and the teachers of the law. Jesus was led to them. ⁶⁷“If you are the Christ,” they said, “tell us.”

Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me. ⁶⁸And if I asked you, you would not answer. ⁶⁹But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

⁷⁰They all asked, “Are you the Son of God then?”

He replied, “You are right in saying that I am.”

⁷¹Then they said, “Why do we need any more witnesses? We have heard it from his own lips.”