The Last Days

29 It was when Jesus had almost reached Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, that he sent on two of the disciples. 30 ‘Go to the village facing us,’ he said, ‘and, when you get there, you will find a foal tethered, which no one has yet ridden; untie it and lead it here. 31 And, if anybody asks you “Why are you untying it?”, you are to say this – “The Master wants it.” ’ 32 So the two who were sent went and found it as Jesus had told them. 33 While they were untying the foal, the owners asked them – ‘Why are you untying the foal?’ 34 And the two disciples answered – ‘The Master wants it.’ 35 Then they led it back to Jesus, and threw their cloaks on the foal and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, the people kept spreading their cloaks in the road. 37 When he had almost reached the place where the road led down the Mount of Olives, everyone of the many disciples began in their joy to praise God loudly for all the miracles that they had seen:

38 ‘Blessed is He who comes – our king – in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven,

and glory on high.’

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, restrain your disciples.’ 40 But Jesus answered, ‘I tell you that if they are silent, the stones will call out.’

41 When he drew near, on seeing the city, he wept over it, and said, 42 ‘If only you had known, while yet there was time – even you – the things that make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your sight. 43 For a time is coming when your enemies will surround you with earthworks, and encircle you, and hem you in on all sides; 44 they will trample you down and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone on another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.’

45 Jesus went into the Temple Courts and began to drive out those who were selling, 46 saying as he did so, ‘Scripture says – “My house will be a house of prayer”; but you have made it a den of robbers.’Titleless Section Break

47 Jesus continued to teach each day in the Temple Courts; but the chief priests and teachers of the Law were eager to take his life, and so also were the leaders of the people. 48 Yet they could not see what to do, for the people all hung on his words.

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20 On one of these days, when Jesus was teaching the people in the Temple Courts and telling the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law, joined by the elders, confronted him, 2 and addressing him, said, ‘Tell us what authority you have to do these things. Who is it who has given you this authority?’

3 ‘I, too,’ said Jesus in reply, ‘will ask you one question. Give me an answer to it. 4 It is about John’s baptism – was it of divine or of human origin?’ 5 But they began arguing together, ‘If we say “divine,” he will say “Why didn’t you believe him?” 6 But, if we say “human,” the people will all stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.’ 7 So they answered that they did not know its origin. 8 ‘Then I,’ said Jesus, ‘refuse to tell you what authority I have to do these things.’

9 But Jesus began to tell the people this parable – ‘A man once planted a vineyard, and then let it out to tenants, and went abroad for a long while. 10 At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they could give him a share of the produce of the vineyard. The tenants, however, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 The owner afterwards sent another servant; but the tenants beat and insulted this man too, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 He sent a third; but they wounded this man also, and threw him outside. 13 “What should I do?” said the owner of the vineyard. “I will send my son, who is very dear to me. Perhaps they will respect him.” 14 But, on seeing him, the tenants consulted with one another. “Here is the heir!” they said. “Let us kill him, and then the inheritance will become ours.” 15 So they threw him outside the vineyard and killed him. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and put those tenants to death, and will let the vineyard to others.’

‘Heaven forbid!’ they exclaimed when they heard it. 17 But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘What then is the meaning of this passage? –

“The stone which the builders despised has now itself become the cornerstone.”

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be dashed to pieces, while anyone on whom it falls – it will scatter him as dust.’

19 After this the teachers of the Law and the chief priest were eager to lay hands on Jesus then and there, but they were afraid of the people; for they saw that it was at them that he had aimed this parable. 20 Having watched their opportunity, they afterwards sent some spies, who pretended to be good men, to catch Jesus in the course of conversation, and so enable them to give him up to the Governor’s jurisdiction and authority. 21 These spies asked Jesus a question. They said, ‘Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and that you do not take any account of a person’s position, but teach the way of God honestly; 22 are we right in paying tribute to the Emperor or not?’ 23 Seeing through their deceitfulness, Jesus said to them, 24 ‘Show me a coin. Whose head and title are on it?’

25 ‘The Emperor’s,’ they said; and Jesus replied, ‘Well then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and to God what belongs to God.’ 26 They could not object to this answer before the people; and, in their wonder at his reply, they held their tongues.Titleless Section Break

27 Presently there came up some Sadducees, who maintain that there is no resurrection. Their question was this – 28 ‘Teacher, Moses laid down for us in his writings that –

“Should a man’s married brother die, and should he be childless, the man should take the widow as his wife, and raise up a family for his brother.”

29 Well, there were once seven brothers; of whom the eldest, after taking a wife, died childless. 30 The second and third brothers both took her as their wife; 31 and so, too, did all seven – dying without children. 32 The woman herself was the last to die. 33 About the woman, then – at the resurrection, whose wife is she to be, all seven brothers having had her as their wife?’

34 ‘The men and women of this world,’ said Jesus, ‘marry and are given in marriage; 35 but, for those who are thought worthy to attain to that other world and the resurrection from the dead, there is no marrying or being married, 36 nor indeed can they die again, for they are like angels and, having shared in the resurrection, they are God’s children. 37 As to the fact that the dead rise, even Moses indicated that, in the passage about the Bush, when he calls the Lord –

“The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

38 Now he is not God of dead people, but of living. For in his sight all are alive.’

39 ‘Well said, teacher!’ exclaimed some of the teachers of the Law, 40 for they did not venture to question him any further. 41 But Jesus said to them, ‘How is it that people say that the Christ is to be David’s son? 42 For David, in the book of Psalms, says himself –

“The Lord said to my lord: Sit at my right hand,

43 until I put your enemies as a stool for your feet.”

44 David, then, calls him “lord,” so how is he David’s son?’

45 While all the people were listening, Jesus said to the disciples, 46 ‘Be on your guard against the teachers of the Law, who delight to walk about in long robes, and like to be greeted in the streets with respect, and to have the best seats in the synagogues, and places of honour at dinner. 47 These are the men who rob widows of their houses, and make a pretence of saying long prayers. Their sentence will be all the heavier.’

21 Looking up, Jesus saw the rich people putting their gifts into the chests for the Temple offerings. 2 He saw, too, a widow in poor circumstances putting two small coins into them. 3 ‘I tell you’, he said ‘that this poor widow has put in more than all the others; 4 for everyone else here put in something from what he had to spare, while she, in her need, has put in all she had to live on.’Titleless Section Break

5 When some of them spoke about the Temple being decorated with beautiful stones and offerings, Jesus said, 6 ‘As for these things that you are looking at, a time is coming when not one stone will be left on another here. Every one will be thrown down.’ 7 So the disciples questioned Jesus, ‘But, teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when this is near?’

8 And Jesus said, ‘See that you are not led astray; for many will take my name, and come saying “I am He,” and “The time is close at hand.” Do not follow them. 9 And, when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified, for these things must occur first; but the end will not be at once.’ 10 Then he said to them, ‘Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be great earthquakes, and plagues and famines in various places, and there will be terrible appearances and signs in the heavens. 12 Before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you, and they will betray you to synagogues and put you in prison, when you will be brought before kings and governors for the sake of my name. 13 Then will be your opportunity of witnessing for me. 14 Make up your minds, therefore, not to prepare your defence; 15 for I will myself give you words, and a wisdom which all your opponents together will be unable to resist or defy. 16 You will be betrayed even by your parents and brothers and sisters and relatives and friends, and they will cause some of you to be put to death, 17 and you will be hated by everyone because of me my name. 18 Yet not a single hair of your heads will be lost! 19 By your endurance you will win yourselves life. 20 As soon, however, as you see Jerusalem surrounded by armed camps, then you may know that the hour of her desecration is at hand. 21 Then those of you who are in Judea must take refuge in the mountains, those who are in Jerusalem must leave at once, and those who are in the country places must not go into it. 22 For these are to be the days of vengeance, when all that scripture says will be fulfilled. 23 Alas for pregnant women, and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great suffering in the land, and anger against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be taken prisoners to every land, and Jerusalem will be under the heel of the Gentiles, until their day is over – as it will be. 25 There will be signs, too, in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth despair among the nations, in their dismay at the roar of the sea and the surge. 26 People’s hearts will fail them through dread of what is coming upon the world; for the forces of the heavens will be convulsed. 27 Then will be seen the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And, when these things begin to occur, look upwards and lift your heads, for your deliverance will be at hand.’

29 Then he taught them a lesson, saying – ‘Look at the fig tree and all the other trees. 30 As soon as they shoot, you know, as you look at them, without being told, that summer is near. 31 And so may you, as soon as you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I tell you that even the present generation will not pass away until all has taken place. 33 The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34 Be on your guard or your minds will become dulled by debauches or drunkenness or the anxieties of life, and “that day” will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all who are living upon the face of the whole earth. 36 Be on the watch at all times, and pray that you may have strength to escape all that is destined to happen, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.’Titleless Section Break

37 During the days, Jesus continued to teach in the Temple Courts, but he went out and spent the nights on the hill called the “Mount of Olives.” 38 And all the people would get up early in the morning and come to listen to him in the Temple Courts.

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22 The feast of the unleavened bread, known as the Passover, was near. 2 The chief priest and the teachers of the Law were looking for an opportunity of destroying Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.

3 Now Satan took possession of Judas, who was known as Iscariot, and who belonged to the Twelve; 4 and he went and discussed with the chief priests and officers in charge at the Temple the best way of betraying Jesus to them. 5 They were glad of this, and agreed to pay him. 6 So Judas assented, and looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them, in the absence of a crowd.

7 When the day of the Festival of the unleavened bread came, on which the Passover lambs had to be killed, 8 Jesus sent forward Peter and John, saying to them, ‘Go and make preparations for our eating the Passover.’

9 ‘Where do you wish us to make preparations?’ they asked. 10 ‘Listen,’ he answered, ‘when you have reached the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you; follow him into whatever house he enters; 11 and you will say to the owner of the house “The teacher says to you – Where is the room where I am to eat the Passover with my disciples?” 12 The man will show you a large upstairs room, set out; there make preparations.’

13 So Peter and John went on, and found everything just as Jesus had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

14 When the time came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 ‘I have most earnestly wished,’ he said, ‘to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you that I will not eat it again, until it has had its fulfilment in the kingdom of God.’ 17 Then, on receiving a cup, after saying the thanksgiving, he said, ‘Take this and share it among you. 18 For I tell you that I will not, after today, drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God has come.’ 19 Then Jesus took some bread, and, after saying the thanksgiving, broke it and gave to them, with the words, ‘This is my body. 20 [fn] 21 Yet see! The hand of the man who is betraying me is beside me on the table! 22 True, the Son of Man is passing, by the way ordained for him, yet alas for that man by whom he is being betrayed!’ 23 Then they began questioning one another which of them it could be who was going to do this.

24 And a dispute arose among them as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 Jesus, however, said, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their oppressors are styled “Benefactors.” 26 But with you it must not be so. No, let the greatest among you become like the youngest, and him who leads like him who serves. 27 Which is the greater – the master at the table or his servant? Is not it the master at the table? Yet I myself am among you as one who serves. 28 You are the men who have stood by me in my trials; 29 and, just as my Father has assigned me a kingdom, I assign you places, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and be seated on twelve thrones as judges of the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 Simon! Simon! listen. Satan demanded leave to sift you all like wheat, 32 but I prayed for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. And you, when you have returned to me, are to strengthen the others.’

33 ‘Master,’ said Peter, ‘with you I am ready to go both to prison and to death.’

34 ‘I tell you, Peter,’ replied Jesus, ‘the cock will not crow today until you have disowned all knowledge of me three times.’ 35 Then he said to them all, ‘When I sent you out as my messengers, without either purse, or bag, or sandals, were you in need of anything?’

‘No; nothing,’ they answered. 36 ‘Now, however,’ he said, ‘he who has a purse must take it and his bag as well; and he who has not must sell his cloak and buy a sword. 37 For, I tell you, that passage of scripture must be fulfilled in me, which says – “He was counted among the godless”; indeed all that refers to me is finding its fulfilment.’

38 ‘Master,’ they exclaimed, ‘look, here are two swords!’

‘Enough!’ said Jesus.Titleless Section Break

39 Jesus then went out, and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, followed by his disciples. 40 And, when he reached the spot, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not fall into temptation.’ 41 Then he withdrew about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and began to pray. 42 ‘Father,’ he said, ‘if it is your pleasure, spare me this cup; only, not my will but your be done.’ 43 Presently there appeared to him an angel from heaven, who strengthened him.[fn] 44 And, as his anguish became intense, he prayed still more earnestly, while his sweat was like great drops of blood falling on the ground. 45 Then he rose from praying, and came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow. 46 ‘Why are you asleep?’ he asked them. ‘Rise and pray so that you don’t fall into temptation.’ 47 While he was still speaking, a crowd appeared in sight, led by the man called Judas, who was one of the Twelve. Judas approached Jesus, to kiss him; 48 at which Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, is it by a kiss that you betray the Son of Man?’ 49 But when those who were round Jesus saw what was going to happen, they exclaimed, ‘Master, should we use our swords?’ 50 And one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear; 51 at which Jesus said, ‘Let me at least do this’; and, touching his ear, he healed the wound. 52 Then, turning to the chief priests and officers in charge at the Temple and the elders, who had come for him, he said, ‘Have you come out, as if after a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the Temple Courts, you did not lay hands on me; but now your time has come, and the power of darkness.’

54 Those who had taken Jesus prisoner took him away into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But, when they had lit a fire in the centre of the courtyard and had all sat down there, Peter seated himself in the middle of them. 56 Presently a maidservant saw him sitting near the blaze of the fire. She looked carefully at him and said, ‘Why, this man was one of his companions!’ 57 But Peter denied it. ‘I do not know him,’ he replied. 58 A little while afterwards someone else – a man – saw him and said, ‘Why, you are one of them!’

‘No,’ Peter said, ‘I am not.’ 59 About an hour later another man declared positively, ‘This man also was certainly with him. Why, he is a Galilean!’ 60 But Peter said, ‘I do not know what you are speaking about.’ Instantly, while he was still speaking, a cock crowed. 61 And the Master turned and looked at Peter; and Peter remembered the words that the Master had said to him – ‘Before a cock has crowed today, you will disown me three times’; 62 and he went outside and wept bitterly.Titleless Section Break

63 The men who held Jesus kept making sport of him and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and then questioned him. ‘Now play the prophet,’ they said. ‘Who was it that struck you?’ 65 And they heaped many other insults on him.Titleless Section Break

66 At daybreak the assembly of the elders of the people met – both the chief priests and the teachers of the Law – and took Jesus before their High Council. 67 ‘If you are the Christ,’ they said, ‘tell us so.’

‘If I tell you,’ replied Jesus, ‘you will not believe me; 68 and, if I question you, you will not answer. 69 But from this hour the Son of Man will be seated on the right hand of God Almighty.’

70 ‘Are you, then, the Son of God?’ they all asked. ‘It is true,’ answered Jesus, ‘I am.’ 71 At this they exclaimed, ‘Why do we want any more evidence? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!’

23 Then they all rose in a body and led Jesus before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, ‘This is a man whom we found misleading our people, preventing them from paying taxes to the Emperor, and giving out that he himself is “Christ, a king.” ’

3 ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Pilate asked him. ‘It is true,’ replied Jesus. 4 But Pilate, turning to the chief priests and the people, said, ‘I do not see anything to find fault with in this man.’ 5 But they insisted, ‘He is stirring up the people by his teaching all through Judea; he began with Galilee and has now come here.’ 6 Hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; 7 and, having satisfied himself that Jesus came under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who also was at Jerusalem at the time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly pleased, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, having heard a great deal about him; and he was hoping to see some sign given by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length, but Jesus made no reply. 10 Meanwhile the chief priests and the teachers of the Law stood by and vehemently accused him. 11 And Herod, with his soldiers, treated Jesus with scorn; he mocked him by throwing a gorgeous robe round him, and then sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, for before that there had been ill-will between them.

13 So Pilate summoned the chief priests, and the leading men, and the people, 14 and said to them, ‘You brought this man before me charged with misleading the people; and yet, for my part, though I examined him before you, I did not find this man to blame for any of the things of which you accuse him; 15 nor did Herod either; for he has sent him back to us. And, as a fact, he has not done anything deserving death; 16 so I will have him scourged, and then release him.’ 17 [fn] 18 But they began to shout as one man, ‘Kill this fellow, but release Barabbas for us.’ 19 (Barabbas was a man who had been put in prison for a riot that had broken out in the city and for murder.) 20 Pilate, however, wanting to release Jesus, called to them again; 21 but they kept calling out, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’

22 ‘Why, what harm has this man done?’ Pilate said to them for the third time. ‘I have found nothing in him for which he could be condemned to death. So I will have him scourged, and then release him.’ 23 But they persisted in loudly demanding his crucifixion; and their clamour gained the day. 24 Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been put in prison for riot and murder, as they demanded, and gave Jesus up to be dealt with as they pleased.Titleless Section Break

26 And, as they were leading Jesus away, they laid hold of Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and they put the cross on his shoulders, for him to carry it behind Jesus. 27 There was a great crowd of people following him, many being women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28 So Jesus turned and said to them, ‘Women of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 A time, I tell you, is coming, when it will be said – “Happy are the women who are barren, and those who have never borne children or nursed them!” 30 At that time people will begin to say to the mountains “Fall on us,” and to the hills “Cover us.” 31 If what you see is done while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?’ 32 There were two others also, criminals, led out to be executed with Jesus. 33 When they had reached the place called “The Skull,” there they crucified Jesus and the criminals, one on the right, and one on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.’ His clothes they divided among them by casting lots. 35 Meanwhile the people stood looking on. Even the leading men said with a sneer, ‘He saved others, let him save himself, if he is God’s Christ, his chosen one.’ 36 The soldiers, too, came up in mockery, bringing him common wine, 37 and saying as they did so, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ 38 Above him were the words –

“THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanging beside Jesus railed at him. ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us,’ he said. 40 But the other rebuked him. ‘Haven’t you,’ he said, ‘any fear of God, now that you are under the same sentence? 41 And we justly so, for we are only reaping our deserts, but this man has not done anything wrong. 42 Jesus,’ he went on, ‘do not forget me when you have come to your kingdom.’ 43 And Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, this very day you will be with me in Paradise.’

44 It was nearly midday, when a darkness came over the whole country, lasting until three in the afternoon, 45 the sun being eclipsed; and the Temple curtain was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus, with a loud cry, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ And with these words he expired. 47 The Roman centurion, on seeing what had happened, praised God, exclaiming, ‘This must have been a good man!’ 48 All the people who had collected to see the sight watched what occurred, and then went home beating their breasts. 49 All the friends of Jesus had been standing at a distance, with the women who accompanied him from Galilee, watching all this.Titleless Section Break

50 Now there was a man of the name of Joseph, who was a member of the Council, and who bore a good and upright character. 51 (This man had not assented to the decision and action of the Council.) He belonged to Arimathea, a town in Judea, and lived in expectation of the kingdom of God. 52 He now went to see Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus; 53 and, when he had taken it down, he wrapped it in a linen sheet, and laid him in a tomb cut out of stone, in which no one had yet been buried. 54 It was the Preparation day, and just before the Sabbath began. 55 The women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how the body of Jesus was laid, 56 and then went home, and prepared spices and perfumes.