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Jesus Tells of His Death the Fourth Time (A)

26 When Jesus had finished all this teaching, He said to His followers, “You know that the special religious supper to remember how the Jews left Egypt is in two days. The Son of Man will be handed over to be nailed to a cross.”

The religious leaders and the leaders of the people gathered at the house of the head religious leader. His name was Caiaphas. They talked together how they might trap Jesus and kill Him. But they said, “This must not happen on the day of the special supper. The people would be against it. They would make much trouble.”

Mary of Bethany Puts Special Perfume on Jesus (B)

Jesus was in the town of Bethany in the house of Simon. Simon had a very bad skin disease. A woman came with a jar of perfume. She had given much money for this. As Jesus ate, she poured the perfume on His head. When the followers saw it, they were angry. They said, “Why was this wasted? This perfume could have been sold for much money and given to poor people.”

10 Jesus knew what they were saying. He said to them, “Why are you giving this woman trouble? She has done a good thing to Me. 11 You will have poor people with you all the time. But you will not have Me with you all the time. 12 She put this perfume on My body to make it ready for the grave. 13 For sure, I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in all the world, this woman will be remembered for what she has done.”

Judas Hands Jesus Over to Be Killed (C)

14 Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve followers. He went to the religious leaders of the Jews. 15 He said, “What will you pay me if I hand Jesus over to you?” They promised to pay him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on Judas looked for a way to hand Jesus over to them.

Getting Ready for the Special Supper (D)

17 On the first day of the supper of bread without yeast the followers came to Jesus. They said, “What place do You want us to make ready for You to eat the supper of the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I will eat the special supper at your house with My followers.”’” 19 The followers did as Jesus told them. They made things ready for this special supper.

The Last Special Supper (E)

20 When evening came, Jesus sat with the twelve followers. 21 As they were eating, Jesus said, “For sure, I tell you, one of you will hand Me over.” 22 They were very sad. They said to Him one after the other, “Lord, is it I?” 23 He said, “The one who will hand Me over is the one who has just put his hand with Mine in the dish. 24 The Son of Man is going away as it is written of Him. It is bad for that man who hands the Son of Man over! It would have been better if he had not been born!” 25 Judas was the one who was handing Jesus over. He said, “Teacher, am I the one?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it.”

The First Lord’s Supper (F)

26 As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread. He gave thanks and broke it in pieces. He gave it to His followers and said, “Take, eat, this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup and gave thanks. He gave it to them and said, “You must all drink from it. 28 This is My blood of the New Way of Worship which is given for many. It is given so the sins of many can be forgiven. 29 I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until that day when I will drink it new with you in the holy nation of My Father.” 30 After they sang a song they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Tells How Peter Will Lie about Him (G)

31 Jesus said to them, “All of you will be ashamed of Me and leave Me tonight. For it is written, ‘I will kill the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be spread everywhere.’ (H) 32 After I am raised from the dead, I will go before you to the country of Galilee.”

33 Peter said to Jesus, “Even if all men give up and turn away because of You, I will never.” 34 Jesus said to him, “For sure, I tell you, before a rooster crows this night, you will say three times you do not know Me.” 35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never say I do not know You.” And all the followers said the same thing.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane (I)

36 Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, “You sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him. He began to have much sorrow and a heavy heart. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is very sad. My soul is so full of sorrow I am ready to die. You stay here and watch with Me.”

39 He went on a little farther and got down with His face on the ground. He prayed, “My Father, if it can be done, take away what is before Me. Even so, not what I want but what You want.”

40 Then He came to the followers and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Were you not able to watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray so that you will not be tempted. Man’s spirit is willing, but the body does not have the power to do it.”

42 He went away again the second time. He prayed, saying, “My Father, if this must happen to Me, may whatever You want be done.” 43 He came and found them asleep again. Their eyes were heavy. 44 He went away from them the third time and prayed the same prayer.

45 Then He came to His followers and asked them, “Are you still sleeping and getting your rest? As I speak, the time has come when the Son of Man will be handed over to sinners. 46 Get up and let us go. See! The man who will hand Me over is near.”

Jesus Handed Over to Sinners (J)

47 Judas, one of the twelve followers, came while Jesus was talking. He came with many others who had swords and sticks. They came from the religious leaders of the Jews and the leaders of the people. 48 The man who handed Jesus over gave the men something to look for. He said, “The One I kiss is the One you want. Take Him!” 49 At once Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Hello, Teacher,” and kissed Him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came and put their hands on Jesus and took Him.

51 One of those with Jesus took his sword. He hit the servant who was owned by the religious leader and cut off his ear. 52 Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back where it belongs. Everyone who uses a sword will die with a sword. 53 Do you not think that I can pray to My Father? At once He would send Me more than 70,000 angels. 54 If I did, how could it happen as the Holy Writings said it would happen? It must be this way.”

55 Then Jesus said to the many people, “Have you come with swords and sticks to take Me as if I were a robber? I have been with you every day teaching in the house of God. You never put your hands on Me then. 56 But this has happened as the early preachers said in the Holy Writings it would happen.” Then all the followers left Him and ran away.

Jesus Stands in Front of the Religious Leaders (K)

57 Those who had taken Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas. He was the head religious leader. The teachers of the Law and the other leaders were gathered there. 58 But Peter followed Him a long way behind while going to the house of the head religious leader. Then he went in and sat with the helpers to see what would happen.

59 The religious leaders and the other leaders and all the court were looking for false things to say against Jesus. They wanted some reason to kill Him. 60 They found none, but many came and told false things about Him. At last two came to the front. 61 They said, “This Man said, ‘I am able to destroy the house of God and build it up again in three days.’”

62 Then the head religious leader stood up. He said to Jesus, “Have You nothing to say? What about the things these men are saying against You?” 63 Jesus said nothing. Then the head religious leader said to Him, “In the name of the living God, I tell You to say the truth. Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “What you said is true. I say to you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated on the right hand of the All-powerful God. You will see Him coming on the clouds of the sky.”

65 Then the head religious leader tore his clothes apart. He said, “He has spoken as if He were God! Do we need other people to speak against Him yet? You have heard Him speak as if He were God! 66 What do you think?” They said, “He is guilty of death!”

67 Then they spit on His face. They hit Him with their hands. Others beat Him. 68 They said, “Tell us, Christ, You Who can tell what is going to happen, who hit You?”

Peter Said He Did Not Know Jesus (L)

69 Peter sat outside in the yard. A young servant-girl came to him. She said, “You were also with Jesus Who is from the country of Galilee!” 70 But Peter lied in front of all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 After he had gone out, another young servant-girl saw him. She said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 Again he lied and swore, “I do not know this Man!” 73 After a little while some of the people standing around came up to Peter and said, “For sure, you are one of them. You talk like they do.” 74 Then he began to say bad words and swear. He said, “I do not know the Man!” At once a rooster crowed.

75 Peter remembered the words Jesus had said to him, “Before a rooster crows, you will say three times you do not know Me.” Peter went outside and cried with loud cries.

Jesus Stands in Front of Pilate (M)

27 Early in the morning all the head religious leaders of the Jews and the leaders of the people gathered together and talked about how they could put Jesus to death. They tied Him and took Him away. Then they handed Him over to Pilate who was the leader of the country.

Then Judas was sorry he had handed Jesus over when he saw that Jesus was going to be killed. He took back the thirty pieces of silver and gave it to the head religious leaders and the other leaders. He said, “I have sinned because I handed over a Man Who has done no wrong.” And they said, “What is that to us? That is your own doing.” He threw the money down in the house of God and went outside. Then he went away and killed himself by hanging from a rope.

The head religious leaders took the money. They said, “It is against the Law to put this money in the house of God. This money has bought blood.” They talked about what to do with the money. Then they decided to buy land to bury strangers in. Because of this, that land is called the Field of Blood to this day. It happened as the early preacher Jeremiah said it would happen. He said, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver which was the price the Jews said they would pay for Him. 10 And they bought land to bury strangers in, as the Lord told me.” (N)

11 Then Jesus stood in front of the leader of the country. The leader asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “What you say is true.” 12 When the head religious leaders and the other leaders spoke against Him, He said nothing. 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear all these things they are saying against You?” 14 Jesus did not say a word. The leader was much surprised and wondered about it.

Jesus or Barabbas Is to Go Free (O)

15 At the special supper each year the leader of the country would always let one person who was in prison go free. It would be the one the people wanted. 16 They had a man who was known by all the people whose name was Barabbas. 17 When they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to let go free? Should it be Barabbas or Jesus Who is called Christ?” 18 For the leader of the country knew the religious leaders had given Jesus over to him because they were jealous.

19 While Pilate was sitting in the place where he judges, his wife sent him this word, “Have nothing to do with that good Man. I have been troubled today in a dream about Him.”

20 The head religious leaders and the other leaders talked the many people into asking for Barabbas to go free and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 The leader of the country said to them, “Which one of the two do you want me to let go free?” They said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what am I to do with Jesus Who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Nail Him to a cross!” 23 Then Pilate said, “Why, what bad thing has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Nail Him to a cross!”

24 Pilate saw that he could do nothing. The people were making loud calls and there was much pushing around. He took water and washed his hands in front of the many people. He said, “I am not guilty of the blood of this good Man. This is your own doing.” 25 Then all the people said, “Let His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Pilate let Barabbas go free but he had men whip Jesus. Then he handed Him over to be nailed to a cross.

The Crown of Thorns (P)

27 Then the soldiers of Pilate took Jesus into a large room. A big group of soldiers gathered around Him. 28 They took off His clothes and put a purple coat on Him. 29 They put a crown of thorns on His head. They put a stick in His right hand. They got on their knees before Him and made fun of Him. They said, “Hello, King of the Jews!” 30 They spit on Him. They took a stick and hit Him on the head. 31 After they had made fun of Him, they took the coat off and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him away to be nailed to a cross. 32 As they were on the way, they came to a man called Simon from the country of Cyrene. They made him carry the cross for Jesus.

Jesus on the Cross (Q)

33 They came to a place called Golgotha. This name means the place of a skull. 34 They gave Him wine with something in it to take away the pain. After tasting it, He took no more. 35 When they had nailed Him to the cross, they divided His clothes by drawing names. *It happened as the early preacher said it would happen. He said, “They divided My clothes among them by drawing names to see who would get My coat.” (R) 36 Then they sat down and watched Him. 37 Over His head they put in writing what they had against Him, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

The Two Robbers (S)

38 They nailed two robbers to crosses beside Him. One was on His right side. The other was on His left side. 39 Those who walked by shook their heads and laughed at Him. 40 They said, “You are the One Who could destroy the house of God and build it up again in three days. Now save Yourself. If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

41 The head religious leaders and the teachers of the Law and the other leaders made fun of Him also. They said, 42 “He saved others but He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of the Jews, let Him come down from the cross. Then we will believe in Him. 43 He trusts God. Let God save Him now, if God cares for Him. He has said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were nailed to crosses beside Him made fun of Him the same way also.

The Death of Jesus (T)

45 From noon until three o’clock it was dark over all the land. 46 About three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “My God, My God, why have You left Me alone?” 47 When some of those who stood by heard that, they said, “This Man is calling for Elijah.” 48 At once one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it with sour wine. He put it on a stick and gave it to Him to drink. 49 The others said, “Let Him alone. Let us see if Elijah will come and save Him.” 50 Then Jesus gave another loud cry and gave up His spirit and died.

The Powerful Works at the Time of His Death (U)

51 At once the curtain in the house of God was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks fell apart. 52 Graves were opened. Bodies of many of God’s people who were dead were raised. 53 After Jesus was raised from the grave, these arose from their graves and went into Jerusalem, the Holy City. These were seen by many people.

54 The captain of the soldiers and those with him who were watching Jesus, saw all the things that were happening. They saw the earth shake and they were very much afraid. They said, “For sure, this Man was the Son of God.”

The Women at the Cross (V)

55 Many women were looking on from far away. These had followed Jesus from the country of Galilee. They had cared for Him. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

The Grave of Jesus (W)

57 When it was evening, a rich man came from the city of Arimathea. His name was Joseph. He was a follower of Jesus also. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate said that the body should be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body and put clean linen cloth around it. 60 He laid it in his own new grave. This grave had been cut out in the side of a rock. He pushed a big stone over the door of the grave and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed there. They were sitting near the grave.

62 The next day, the day after Jesus was killed, the head religious leaders and the proud religious law-keepers gathered together in front of Pilate. 63 They said, “Sir, we remember what that Man Who fooled people said when He was living, ‘After three days I am to rise from the dead.’ 64 Speak the word to have the grave watched for three days. Then His followers cannot come at night and take Him away and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ The last mistake would be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “Take the soldiers. Go and watch the grave.” 66 Then they went and made the soldiers stand by the grave. They put a lock on the big stone door.

Jesus Is Raised from the Dead (X)

28 The Day of Rest was over. The sun was coming up on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the grave. At once the earth shook and an angel of the Lord came down from heaven. He came and pushed back the stone from the door and sat on it. His face was bright like lightning. His clothes were white as snow. The soldiers were shaking with fear and became as dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus Who was nailed to the cross. He is not here! He has risen from the dead as He said He would. Come and see the place where the Lord lay. Run fast and tell His followers that He is risen from the dead. He is going before you to the country of Galilee. You will see Him there as I have told you.” They went away from the grave in a hurry. They were afraid and yet had much joy. They ran to tell the news to His followers.

As they went to tell the followers, Jesus met them and said hello to them. They came and held His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My followers to go to Galilee. They will see Me there.”

11 While they were on their way, some of the soldiers who were to watch the grave came into the city. They told the head religious leaders everything that had happened. 12 The soldiers gathered together with the other leaders and talked about what to do. The leaders gave much money to the soldiers. 13 They said, “Tell the people, ‘His followers came at night and took His body while we were sleeping.’ 14 We will see that you do not get into trouble over this if Pilate hears about it.” 15 They took the money and did as they were told. This story was told among the Jews and is still told today.

Jesus Sends His Followers to Teach (Y)

16 Then the eleven followers went to Galilee. They went to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

17 When they saw Jesus, they worshiped Him. But some did not believe.

18 Jesus came and said to them, “All power has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go and make followers of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to do all the things I have told you. And I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”