³⁰“What I’m about to tell you is true,” Jesus answered. “It will happen today, this very night. Before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will say three times that you don’t know me.”

³¹But Peter would not give in. He said, “I may have to die with you. But I will never say I don’t know you.” And all the others said the same thing.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

³²Jesus and his disciples went to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, “Sit here while I pray.”

³³He took Peter, James and John along with him. He began to be very upset and troubled. ³⁴“My soul is very sad. I feel close to death,” he said to them. “Stay here. Keep watch.”

³⁵He went a little farther. Then he fell to the ground. He prayed that, if possible, the hour might pass by him. ³⁶“Abba,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want.” Abba means Father.

³⁷Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? ³⁸Watch and pray. Then you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing. But the body is weak.”

³⁹Once more Jesus went away and prayed the same thing. ⁴⁰Then he came back. Again he found them sleeping. They couldn’t keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to him.

⁴¹Jesus returned the third time. He said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look! The Son of Man is about to be handed over to sinners. ⁴²Get up! Let us go! Here comes the one who is handing me over to them!”

Jesus Is Arrested

⁴³Just as Jesus was speaking, Judas appeared. He was one of the Twelve. A crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders had sent them.

⁴⁴Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, had arranged a signal with them. “The one I kiss is the man,” he said. “Arrest him and have the guards lead him away.”

⁴⁵So Judas went to Jesus at once. He said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him.

⁴⁶The men grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

⁴⁷Then one of those standing nearby pulled his sword out. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

⁴⁸“Am I leading a band of armed men against you?” asked Jesus. “Do you have to come out with swords and clubs to capture me? ⁴⁹Every day I was with you. I taught in the temple courtyard, and you didn’t arrest me. But the Scriptures must come true.”

⁵⁰Then everyone left him and ran away.

⁵¹A young man was following Jesus. The man was wearing nothing but a piece of linen cloth. When the crowd grabbed him, ⁵²he ran away naked. He left his clothing behind.

Jesus Is Taken to the Sanhedrin

⁵³The crowd took Jesus to the high priest. All of the chief priests, the elders, and the teachers of the law came together.

⁵⁴Not too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards. He warmed himself at the fire.

⁵⁵The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. But they did not find any proof. ⁵⁶Many witnesses lied about him. But their stories did not agree.

⁵⁷Then some stood up. They gave false witness about him. ⁵⁸“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made by human hands. In three days I will build another temple, not made by human hands.’ ” ⁵⁹But what they said did not agree.

⁶⁰Then the high priest stood up in front of them. He asked Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer? What are these charges these men are bringing against you?”

⁶¹But Jesus remained silent. He gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ? Are you the Son of the Blessed One?”

⁶²“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.”

⁶³The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. ⁶⁴“You have heard him say a very evil thing against God. What do you think?”

They all found him guilty and said he must die.

⁶⁵Then some began to spit at him. They blindfolded him. They hit him with their fists. They said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

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