The Last Days

21 When they had almost reached Jerusalem, having come as far as Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent on two disciples. 2 ‘Go to the village facing you,’ he said, ‘and you will immediately find a donkey tethered, with a foal by her side; untie her, and lead her here for me. 3 And, if anyone says anything to you, you are to say this – “The Master wants them”; and he will send them at once.’ 4 This happened in fulfilment of these words in the prophet – 5 “Say to the people of Zion – ‘Your King is coming to you, gentle, and riding on a donkey, and on the foal of a beast of burden.’ ”

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They led the donkey and the foal back, and, when they had put their cloaks on them, he seated himself on them. 8 The immense crowd of people spread their cloaks in the road, while some cut branches off the trees, and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that led the way, as well as those that followed behind, kept shouting, ‘God save the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! God save him from on high!’ 10 When he had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred, and asked – 11 ‘Who is this?’, to which the crowd replied – ‘This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.’

12 Jesus went into the Temple Courts, and drove out all those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers, and the seats of the pigeon-dealers, 13 and said to them, ‘Scripture says “My house will be called a house of prayer”; but you are making it a den of robbers.’ 14 While he was still in the Temple Courts, some blind and some lame people came up to him, and he cured them. 15 But, when the chief priests and the teachers of the Law saw the wonderful things that Jesus did, and the boys who were calling out in the Temple Courts ‘God save the Son of David!’, they were indignant, 16 and said to him, ‘Do you hear what these boys are saying?’

‘Yes,’ answered Jesus, ‘but did you never read the words – “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings you have called forth perfect praise”?’

17 Then he left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.

18 The next morning, in returning to the city, Jesus became hungry; 19 and, noticing a solitary fig tree by the roadside, he went up to it, but found nothing on it but leaves. So he said to it, ‘Never again will fruit be gathered off you.’ And suddenly the fruit tree withered up. 20 When the disciples saw this, they exclaimed in astonishment, ‘How suddenly the fig tree withered up!’

21 ‘I tell you,’ replied Jesus, ‘if you have faith, without ever a doubt, you will do what not only what has been done to the fig tree, but, even if you should say to this hill “Be lifted up and hurled into the sea!” it would be done. 22 And whatever you ask for in your prayers will, if you have faith, be granted you.’

23 After Jesus had come into the Temple Courts, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘What authority have you to do these things? Who gave you this authority?’

24 ‘I, too,’ said Jesus in reply, ‘will ask you one question; if you will give me an answer to it, then I, also, will tell you what authority I have to act as I do. 25 It is about John’s baptism. What was its origin? Divine or human?’ But they began arguing among themselves, ‘If we say “divine,” he will say to us “Why then didn’t you believe him?” 26 But if we say “human,” we are afraid of the people, for everyone regards John as a prophet.’ 27 So the answer they gave Jesus was – ‘We do not know.’

‘Then I,’ he said, ‘refuse to tell you what authority I have to do these things. 28 What do you think of this? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the elder and said “Go and work in the vineyard today my son.” 29 “Yes, sir,” he answered; but he did not go. 30 Then the father went to the second son, and said the same. “I will not,” he answered; but afterwards he was sorry and went. 31 Which of the two sons did as his father wished?’ ‘The second,’ they said. ‘I tell you,’ added Jesus, ‘that tax collectors and prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For when John came to you, walking in the path of righteousness, you did not believe him, but tax collectors and prostitutes did; and yet you, though you saw this, even then were not sorry, nor did you believe him.

33 ‘Listen to another parable. A man, who was an employer, once planted a vineyard, put a fence round it, dug a winepress in it, built a tower, and then let it out to tenants and went abroad. 34 When the time for the grape harvest drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to receive his share of the produce. 35 But the tenants seized his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 A second time the owner sent some servants, a larger number than before, and the tenants treated them in the same way. 37 As a last resource he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son,” he said. 38 But the tenants, on seeing his son, said to each other “Here is the heir! Come, let us kill him, and get his inheritance.” 39 So they seized him, and threw him outside the vineyard, and killed him. 40 Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ 41 ‘Miserable wretches!’ they exclaimed, ‘he will put them to a miserable death, and he will let out the vineyard to other tenants, who will pay him his share of the produce at the proper times.’ 42 Then Jesus added, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures? – “The stone which the builders despised – has now itself become the cornerstone. This cornerstone has come from the Lord, and is marvellous in our eyes.” 43 That, I tell you, is why the kingdom of God will be taken from you, and given to a nation that does produce the fruit of the kingdom. 44 Yes, and he who falls on this stone will be dashed to pieces, while anyone on whom it falls – it will scatter him as dust.’

45 After listening to these parables, the chief priests and the Pharisees saw that it was about them that he was speaking; 46 yet, although eager to arrest him, they were afraid of the crowds, who regarded him as a prophet.

22 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables. 2 ‘The kingdom of heaven,’ he said, ‘may be compared to a king who gave a banquet in honour of his son’s wedding. 3 He sent his servants to call those who had been invited to the banquet, but they were unwilling to come. 4 A second time he sent some servants, with orders to say to those who had been invited “I have prepared my meal, my cattle and fat beasts are killed and everything is ready; come to the banquet.” 5 They, however, took no notice, but went off, one to their farm, another to their business; 6 while the rest, seizing his servants, ill-treated them and killed them. 7 The king, in anger, sent his troops, put those murderers to death, and set their city on fire. 8 Then he said to his servants “The banquet is prepared, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 So go to the cross-roads, and invite everyone you find to the banquet.” 10 The servants went out into the roads and collected all the people whom they found, whether bad or good; and the bridal-hall was filled with guests. 11 But, when the king went in to see his guests, he noticed there a man who had not put on a wedding-robe. 12 So he said to him “My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding-robe?” The man was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants “Tie him hand and foot, and put him out into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” 14 For many are called, but few chosen.’

15 Then the Pharisees went away and conferred together as to how they might lay a trap for Jesus in the course of conversation. 16 They sent their disciples, with the Herodians, to say to him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are an honest person, and that you teach the way of God honestly, and are not afraid of anyone; for you pay no regard to a person’s position. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Are we right in paying taxes to the Emperor, or not?’ 18 Perceiving their malice, Jesus answered, ‘Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin with which the tax is paid.’ And, when they had brought him a coin, 20 he asked, ‘Whose head and title are these?’ 21 ‘The Emperor’s,’ they answered, at which he said to them, ‘Then pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and to God what belongs to God.’ 22 They wondered at his answer, and left him alone and went away.

23 That same day some Sadducees came up to Jesus, maintaining that there is no resurrection. Their question was this, – 24 ‘Teacher, Moses said – “should a man die without children, the man’s brother will become the husband of the widow, and raise a family for his brother.” 25 Now we had living among us seven brothers; of whom the eldest married and died, and, as he had no family, left his wife for his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and the third brothers, and indeed to all the seven. 27 The woman herself died last of all. 28 At the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be out of the seven, all of them having been married to her?’

29 ‘Your mistake,’ replied Jesus, ‘is due to your ignorance of the scriptures, and of the power of God. 30 For at the resurrection there is no marrying or being married, but all who rise are as angels in heaven. 31 As to the resurrection of the dead, have you not read these words of God – 32 “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is not the God of dead people, but of living.’ 33 The crowds, who had been listening to him, were greatly struck with his teaching.

34 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they collected together. 35 Then one of them, a Student of the Law, to test him, asked this question – 36 ‘Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ 37 His answer was, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great first commandment. 39 The second, which is like it, is this – You must love your neighbour as you love yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets.’ 41 Before the Pharisees separated, Jesus put this question to them – 42 ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?’ ‘David’s,’ they said. 43 ‘How is it, then,’ Jesus replied, ‘that David, speaking under inspiration, calls him “lord,” in the passage – 44 “The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies beneath your feet”? 45 Since, then, David calls him “lord,” how is he David’s son?’ 46 No one could say a word in answer; nor did anyone after that day venture to question him further.

23 Then Jesus, speaking to the crowds and to his disciples, said, 2 ‘The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees now occupy the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore practice and lay to heart everything that they preach but do not practice. 4 While they make up heavy loads and pile them on other people’s shoulder’s they decline, themselves, to lift a finger to move them. 5 All their actions are done to attract attention. They widen their phylacteries, and increase the size of their tassels, 6 and like to have the place of honour at dinner, and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and to be greeted in the markets with respect, and to be called “Rabbi” by everybody. 8 But do not allow yourselves to be called “Rabbi,” for you have only one teacher, and you yourselves are all brothers and sisters. 9 And do not call anyone on the earth your “Father,” for your have only one Father, the heavenly Father. 10 Nor must you allow yourselves to be called “leaders,” for you have only one leader, the Christ. 11 The person who wants to be the greatest among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled, and whoever humbles themselves will be exalted. 13 But alas for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You turn the key of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you do not go in yourselves, and do not allow those who try to go in to do so. 14 [fn] 15 Alas for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You scour land and sea to make a single convert, and, when they are gained, you make them twice as deserving of Gehenna as you are yourselves. 16 Alas for you, you blind guides! You say “if any swear by the Temple, their oath counts for nothing; but, if anyone swears by the gold of the Temple, their oath is binding them”! 17 Fools that you are and blind! Which is the more important? The gold? Or the Temple which has given sacredness to the gold? 18 You say, too, “If anyone swears by the altar, their oath counts for nothing, but, if anyone swears by the offering placed on it, their oath is binding on them”! 19 Blind indeed! Which is the more important? The offering? Or the altar which gives sacredness to the offering? 20 Therefore a person, swearing by the altar, swears by it and by all that is on it, 21 and a person, swearing by the Temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it, 22 while a person, swearing by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him who sits on it. 23 Alas for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You pay tithes on mint, fennel, and caraway seed, and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law – justice, mercy, and good faith. These last you ought to have put into practice, without neglecting the first. 24 You blind guides, to strain out a gnat and to swallow a camel! 25 Alas for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are filled with the results of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the dish, so that the outside may become clean as well. 27 Alas for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed look fair outside, while inside they are filled with dead people’s bones and all kinds of filth. 28 It is the same with you. Outwardly, and to others, you have the look of religious people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and sin. 29 Alas for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are! You build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the monuments of religious people, 30 and say “Had we been living in the days of our ancestors, we should have taken no part in their murder of the prophets!” 31 By doing this you are furnishing evidence against yourselves that you are true children of the people who murdered the prophets. 32 Go on then, finish what your ancestors began! 33 You snakes and children of snakes! How can you escape being sentenced to Gehenna? 34 That is why I send you prophets, wise people, and teachers of the Law, some of whom you will crucify and kill, and some of whom you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from town to town; 35 so that on your heads may fall every drop of innocent blood split on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel down to that of Zechariah, Barachiah’s son, whom you murdered between the Temple and the altar. 36 All this, I tell you, will come home to the present generation. 37 Jerusalem! Jerusalem! She who slays the prophets and stones the messengers sent to her – Oh, how often have I wished to gather your children round me, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not come! 38 Verily, your house is left to you desolate! 39 For nevermore, I tell you, will you see me, until you say – “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” ’

24 Leaving the Temple Courts, Jesus was walking away, when his disciples came up to draw his attention to the Temple buildings. 2 ‘Do you see all these things?’ was his answer. ‘I tell you, not a single stone will be left here on another, which will not be thrown down,’ 3 so, while Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came up to him privately and said, ‘Tell us when this will be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the close of the age.’ 4 Jesus replied to them, ‘See that no one leads you astray; 5 for, many will take my name, and come saying “I am the Christ,” and will lead many astray. 6 You will hear of wars and rumours of wars; take care not to be alarmed, for such things must occur; but the end is not yet here. 7 For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All this, however, will be but the beginning of the birth pangs! 9 When that time comes, they will give you up to persecution, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 And then many will fall away, and will betray one another, and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets, also, will appear and lead many astray; 12 and, owing to the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. 13 Yet the person who endures to the end will be saved. 14 This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world as a witness to all nations; and then will come the end. 15 As soon, then, as you see “the Foul Desecration,” mentioned by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy place,’ (the reader must consider what this means) 16 ‘then those of you who are in Judea must take refuge in the mountains; 17 and a man on the housetop must not go down to get the things that are in his house; 18 nor must one who is on their farm turn back to get his cloak. 19 Alas for pregnant women, and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray, too, that your flight may not take place in winter, nor on a Sabbath; 21 for that will be a time of great distress, the like of which has not occurred from the beginning of the world down to the present time – no, nor ever will again. 22 Had not those days been limited, not a single soul would escape; but for the sake of God’s people a limit will be put to them. 23 At that time, if anyone should say to you “Look! Here is the Christ!” or “Here he is!”, do not believe it; 24 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will display great signs and marvels, so that, were it possible, even God’s people would be led astray. 25 Remember, I have told you beforehand. 26 Therefore, if people say to you “He is in the wilderness!”, do not go out there; or “He is in an inner room!”, do not believe it; 27 for, just as lightning will start from the east and flash across to the west, so will it be with the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever a dead body lies, there will the vultures flock. 29 Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give her light, the stars will fall from the heavens, and the forces of the heavens will be convulsed. 30 Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in the heavens; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn, when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the heavens, with power and great glory; 31 and he will send his angels, with a great trumpet, and they will gather his people round him from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 ‘Learn the lesson taught by the fig tree. As soon as its branches are full of sap, and it is bursting into leaf, you know that summer is near. 33 And so may you, as soon as you see all these things, know that he is at your doors. 34 I tell you, even the present generation will not pass away, until all these things have taken place. 35 The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 36 But about that day and hour, no one knows – not even the angels of heaven, not even the Son – but only the Father himself. 37 For, just as in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 In those days before the flood they went on eating and drinking, marrying and being married, up to the very day on which Noah entered the ark, 39 taking not notice until the flood came and swept them one and all away; and so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 At that time, of two men on a farm one will be taken and one left; 41 of two women grinding with a hand-mill one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore watch; for you cannot be sure on what day your Master is coming. 43 But this you do know, that, had the owner of the house known at what time of night the thief was coming, they would have been on the watch, and would not have allowed their house to be broken into. 44 Therefore, you must also prepare, since it is just when you are least expecting him that the Son of Man will come. 45 Who, then is that trustworthy, careful servant, who has been placed by their master over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Happy will that servant be whom their master, when he comes home, will find doing this. 47 I tell you that their master will put them in charge of the whole of his property. 48 But, should the servant be a bad servant, and say to themselves “My master is a long time in coming,” 49 and begin to beat their fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, 50 that servant’s master will come on a day when they do not expect him, and at an hour of which they are unaware, 51 and will flog the servant severely, and assign them their place among the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

25 ‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them; 4 while the prudent ones, besides taking their lamps, took oil in their jars. 5 As the groom was late in coming, they all became drowsy, and slept. 6 But at midnight a shout was raised – “The groom is coming! Come out to meet him!” 7 Then all the bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, 8 and the foolish said to the prudent “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” 9 But the prudent ones answered “No, There may not be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell it, and buy for yourselves.” 10 But while they were on their way to buy it, the groom came; and the bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the banquet, and the door was shut. 11 Afterwards the other bridesmaids came. “Sir, Sir,” they said, “open the door to us!” 12 But the groom answered “I tell you, I do not know you.” 13 Therefore watch, since you know neither the day nor the hour.

14 ‘For it is as though a man, going on his travels, called his servants, and gave his property into their charge. 15 He gave five bags of gold to one, two to another, and one bag to a third, in proportion to the ability of each. Then he set out on his travels. 16 The servant who had received the five bags of gold went at once and traded with it, and made another five bags. 17 So, too, the servant who had received the two bags of gold made another two bags. 18 But the servant who had received the one bag went and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants returned, and settled accounts with them. 20 The servant who had received the five bags of gold came up and brought five bags more. “Sir,” he said, “you entrusted me with five bags of gold; look, I have made another five bags!” 21 “Well done, good, trustworthy servant!” said his master. “You have been trustworthy with a small sum; now I will place a large one in your hands; come and share your master’s joy!” 22 Then the one who had received the two bags of gold came up and said “Sir, you entrusted me with two bags pounds; look, I have made another two!” 23 “Well done, good, trustworthy servant!” said his master. “You have been trustworthy with a small sum; now I will place a large one in your hands; come and share your master’s joy!” 24 The man who had received the single bag of gold came up, too, and said “Sir, I knew that you were a hard man; you reap where you have not sown, and gather up where you have not winnowed; 25 and, in my fear, I went and hid your money in the ground; look, here is what belongs to you!” 26 “You lazy, worthless servant!” was his master’s reply. “You knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather up where I have not winnowed? 27 Then you ought to have placed my money in the hands of bankers, and I, on my return, should have received my money, with interest. 28 Therefore,” he continued, “take away from him the one bag of gold, and give it to the one who has the ten bags. 29 For, to him who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but, as for him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 As for the useless servant, put him out into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.”

31 ‘When the Son of Man has come in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory; 32 and all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people – just as a shepherd separates sheep from goats – 33 placing the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, enter into possession of the kingdom prepared for you ever since the beginning of the world. 35 For, when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was a stranger, you took me to your homes; 36 when I was naked, you clothed me; when I fell ill, you visited me; and when I was in prison, you came to me.” 37 Then the righteous will answer “Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you? Or thirsty, and give you a drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger, and take you to our homes? Or naked, and clothe you? 39 When did we see you ill, or in prison, and come to you?” 40 And the king will reply “I tell you, as often as you did it to one of these my brothers or sisters, however unimportant they seemed, you did it to me.” 41 Then he will say to those on his left “Go from my presence, accursed, into the permanent fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For, when I was hungry, you gave me no food; when I was thirsty, you gave me no drink; 43 when I was a stranger, you did not take me to your homes; when I was naked, you did not clothe me; and, when I was ill and in prison, you did not visit me.” 44 Then they, in their turn, will answer “Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or ill, or in prison, and did not supply your wants?” 45 And then he will reply “I tell you, as often as you failed to do it to one of these, however unimportant, you failed to do it to me.” 46 And these last will go away into lasting correction, but the righteous into lasting life.’

26 When Jesus had finished teaching all of that, he said to his disciples, 2 ‘You know that in two days time the Festival of the Passover will be here; and that the Son of Man is to be given up to be crucified.’ 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met in the house of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and put him to death; 5 but they said, ‘Not during the Festival, or the people may riot.’

6 After Jesus had reached Bethany, and while he was in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of very costly perfume, and poured the perfume on his head as he sat at the table. 8 The disciples were indignant at seeing this. ‘What is this waste for?’ they exclaimed. 9 ‘It could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to poor people.’

10 ‘Why are you troubling the woman?’ Jesus said, when he noticed it. ‘For this is a beautiful deed that she has done to me. 11 You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this perfume on my body, she prepares me for my burial. 13 I tell you, wherever, in the whole world, this good news is proclaimed, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her.’

14 It was then that one of the Twelve, named Judas Iscariot, made his way to the chief priests, 15 and said ‘What are you willing to give me, if I betray Jesus to you?’ The Priests counted him out thirty pieces of silver as payment. 16 So from that time Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

17 On the first day of the Festival of the unleavened bread, the disciples came up to Jesus, and said, ‘Where do you wish us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’

18 ‘Go into the city to a certain man,’ he answered, ‘and say to him “The teacher says – My time is near. I will keep the Passover with my disciples at your house.” ’ 19 The disciples did as Jesus directed them, and prepared the Passover. 20 In the evening Jesus took his place with the twelve disciples, 21 and, while they were eating, he said, ‘I tell you that one of you will betray me.’ 22 In great grief they began to say to him, one by one, ‘Can it be I, Master?’

23 ‘The one who dipped his bread beside me in the dish,’ replied Jesus, ‘is the one who will betray me. 24 True, the Son of Man must go, as scripture says of him, yet alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is being betrayed! For that man it would be better never to have been born!’ 25 Judas, who was betraying him, turned to him and said, ‘Can it be I, Rabbi?’

‘It is,’ answered Jesus.

26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and, after saying the blessing, broke it and, as he gave it to his disciples, said, ‘Take it and eat it; this is my body.’ 27 Then he took a cup, and, after saying the thanksgiving, gave it to them, with the words, ‘Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my covenant blood, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you that I will never, after this, drink of this juice of the grape, until that day when I will drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.’

30 They then sang a hymn, and went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Even you will all fall away from me tonight. Scripture says – “I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” 32 But, after I have risen, I will go before you into Galilee.’ 33 ‘If everyone else falls away from you,’ Peter answered, ‘I will never fall away!’

34 ‘I tell you,’ replied Jesus, ‘that this very night, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times!’ 35 ‘Even if I must die with you,’ Peter exclaimed, ‘I will never disown you!’ All the disciples spoke in the same way.

36 Then Jesus came with them to a garden called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit down here while I go and pray over there.’ 37 Taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to show signs of sadness and deep distress of mind. 38 ‘I am sad at heart,’ he said, ‘sad even to death; wait here and watch with me.’ 39 Going on a little further, he threw himself on his face in prayer. ‘My Father,’ he said, ‘if it is possible, let me be spared this cup; only, not as I will, but as you will.’ 40 Then he came to his disciples, and found them asleep. ‘What!’ he said to Peter, ‘could none of you watch with me for one hour? 41 Watch and pray so that you don’t fall into temptation. True, the spirit is eager, but human nature is weak.’ 42 Again, a second time, he went away, and prayed. ‘My Father,’ he said, ‘if I cannot be spared this cup, but must drink it, your will be done!’ 43 And coming back again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them, and went away again, and prayed a third time, again saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples, and said, ‘Sleep on now, and rest yourselves. Look – my time is close at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of wicked people. 46 Up, and let us be going. Look! My betrayer is close at hand.’ 47 And, while he was still speaking, Judas, who was one of the Twelve, came in sight; and with him was a great crowd of people, with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them. ‘The man whom I kiss,’ he had said, ‘will be the one; arrest him.’ 49 So he went up to Jesus at once, and exclaimed, ‘Welcome, Rabbi!’ and kissed him; 50 at which Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you have come for.’ The men went up, seized Jesus, and arrested him. 51 Suddenly one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and striking the high priest’s servant, cut off his ear. 52 ‘Sheathe your sword,’ Jesus said, ‘for all who draw the sword will be put to the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot ask my Father for help, when he would at once send to my aid more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But in that case how would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say that this must be?’ 55 Jesus at the same time said to the crowds, ‘Have you come out, as if after a robber, with swords and clubs, to take me? I have sat teaching day after day in the Temple Courts, and yet you did not arrest me.’ 56 The whole of this occurred in fulfilment of the prophetic scriptures. Then the disciples all forsook him and fled.

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the Law and elders had assembled. 58 Peter followed him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, to see the outcome. 59 Meanwhile the chief priests and the whole of the High Council were trying to get such false evidence against Jesus, as would warrant putting him to death, 60 but they did not find any, although many came forward with false evidence. Later on, however, two men came forward and said, 61 ‘This man said “I am able to destroy the Temple of God, and to build it in three days.” ’ 62 Then the high priest stood up, and said to Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is this evidence which these men are giving against you?’ 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, ‘I order you, by the living God, to tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.’

64 ‘It is true,’ Jesus answered, ‘Moreover I tell you all that hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty, and coming on the clouds of the heavens.’ 65 Then the high priest tore his robes. ‘This is blasphemy!’ he exclaimed. ‘Why do we want any more witnesses? You have just heard his blasphemy! 66 What is your decision?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’ 67 Then they spat in his face, and struck him, while others dealt blows at him, saying as they did so, 68 ‘Now play the prophet for us, you Christ! Who was it that struck you?’ 69 Peter, meanwhile, was sitting outside in the courtyard; and a maidservant came up to him, and exclaimed, ‘Why, you were with Jesus the Galilean!’ 70 But Peter denied it before them all. ‘I do not know what you mean,’ he replied. 71 When he had gone out into the gateway, another maid saw him, and said to those who were there, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth!’ 72 Again he denied it with an oath, ‘I do not know the man!’ 73 But soon afterwards those who were standing by came up and said to Peter, ‘You also are certainly one of them; why, even your way of speaking proves it!’ 74 Then Peter said, ‘I swear that I do not know the man! May God punish me if I am lying!’ At that moment a cock crowed; 75 and Peter remembered the words which Jesus had said – “Before a cock has crowed, you will disown me three times”; and he went outside, and wept bitterly.

27 At daybreak all the chief priests and the elders of the people consulted together against Jesus, to bring about his death. 2 They put him in chains and led him away, and gave him up to the Roman Governor, Pilate. 3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that Jesus was condemned, repented of what he had done, and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. 4 ‘I did wrong in betraying a good man to his death,’ he said. ‘What has that to do with us?’ they replied. ‘You must see to that yourself.’ 5 Judas flung down the pieces of silver in the Temple, and left; and went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver, but they said, ‘We must not put them into the Temple treasury, because they are blood-money.’ 7 So, after consultation, they used it to buy the “Potter’s Field” as a burial ground for foreigners, 8 and that is why that field is called the “Field of Blood” to this very day. 9 Then it was that these words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled – “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.” 11 Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Roman Governor. ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ asked the Governor. ‘It is true,’ answered Jesus. 12 While charges were being brought against him by the chief priests and elders, Jesus made no reply. 13 Then Pilate said to him, ‘Don’t you hear how many accusations they are making against you?’ 14 Yet Jesus made no reply – not even a single word; at which the Governor was greatly astonished. 15 Now, at the feast, the Governor was accustomed to grant the people the release of any one prisoner whom they might choose. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So, when the people had collected, Pilate said to them, ‘Which do you wish me to release for you? Barabbas? Or Jesus who is called “Christ”?’ 18 For he knew that it was out of jealousy that they had given Jesus up to him. 19 While he was still on the Bench, his wife sent this message to him – ‘Do not have anything to do with that good man, for I have been very much troubled today in a dream because of him.’ 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas, and to kill Jesus. 21 The Governor, however, said to them, ‘Which of these two do you wish me to release for you?’

‘Barabbas,’ they answered. 22 ‘What then,’ Pilate asked, ‘should I do with Jesus who is called “Christ?” ’ ‘Crucify him,’ they all replied. 23 ‘Why, what harm has he done?’ he asked. But they kept shouting furiously, ‘Crucify him!’ 24 When Pilate saw that his efforts were unavailing, but that, on the contrary, a riot was beginning, he took some water, and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying as he did so, ‘I am not answerable for this bloodshed; you must see to it yourselves.’ 25 And all the people answered, ‘His blood be on our heads and on our children’s!’ 26 Then Pilate released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he had scourged, and gave him up to be crucified.

27 After that, the Governor’s soldiers took Jesus with them into the Government house, and gathered the whole garrison round him. 28 They stripped him, and put on him a red military cloak, 29 and having twisted some thorns into a crown, put it on his head, and a rod in his right hand, and then, going down on their knees before him, they mocked him. ‘Long life to you, king of the Jews!’ they said. 30 They spat at him and, taking the rod, kept striking him on the head; 31 and, when they had left off mocking him, they took off the military cloak, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to be crucified.

32 As they were on their way out, they came upon a man from Cyrene called Simon, and they compelled him to go with them to carry the cross. 33 On reaching a place named Golgotha (a place named from its likeness to a skull), 34 they gave him some wine to drink which had been mixed with gall; but after tasting it, Jesus refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down, and kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they fixed the accusation against him written out – “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 38 At the same time two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right, the other on the left. 39 The passers-by railed at him, shaking their heads as they said, 40 ‘You who would “destroy the Temple and build one in three days,” save yourself! If you are God’s Son, come down from the cross!’ 41 In the same way the chief priests, with the Teachers of the Law and elders, said in mockery, 42 ‘He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the “king of Israel”! Why doesn’t he come down from the cross now, then we will believe in him. 43 He has trusted in God; if God wants him, let him deliver him now; for he said “I am God’s Son.” ’ 44 Even the robbers, who were crucified with him, insulted him in the same way. 45 After midday a darkness came over all the country, lasting until three in the afternoon. 46 About three Jesus called out loudly, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabacthani’ – that is to say, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 Some of those standing by heard this, and said, ‘The man is calling for Elijah!’ 48 One of them immediately ran and took a sponge, and, filling it with common wine, put it on the end of a rod, and offered it to him to drink. 49 But the rest said, ‘Wait and let us see if Elijah is coming to save him.’[fn] 50 But Jesus, uttering another loud cry, gave up his spirit. 51 Suddenly the Temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, the rocks were torn asunder, 52 the tombs opened, and the bodies of many of God’s people who had fallen asleep rose, 53 and they, leaving their tombs, went, after the resurrection of Jesus, into the Holy City, and appeared to many people. 54 The Roman centurion, and the men with him who were watching Jesus, on seeing the earthquake and all that was happening, became greatly frightened and exclaimed, ‘This must indeed have been God’s Son!’ 55 There were many women there, watching from a distance, who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee and had been attending on him. 56 Among them were Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

57 When evening had fallen, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to see Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate ordered it to be given him. 59 So Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen sheet, 60 and laid it in his newly made tomb which he had cut in the rock; and, before he left, he rolled a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. 61 Mary of Magdala and the other Mary remained behind, sitting in front of the grave.

62 The next day – that is, the day following the Preparation-day – the chief priests and Pharisees came in a body to Pilate, and said, 63 ‘Sir, we remember that, during his lifetime, that impostor said “I will rise after three days.” 64 So order the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise his disciples may come and steal him, and then say to the people “He has risen from the dead,” when the latest imposture will be worse than the first.’

65 ‘You may have a guard,’ was Pilate’s reply. ‘Go and make the tomb as secure as you can.’ 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, by sealing the stone, in presence of the guard.