Luke 22:39-53

New Testament for Everyone

Jesus is arrested

³⁹ So off they went. Jesus headed, as usual, for the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.

⁴⁰ When he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you won’t come into the trial.”

⁴¹ He then withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down to pray.

⁴² “Father,” he said, “if you wish it—please take this cup away from me! But it must be your will, not mine.” ⁴³ An angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him. ⁴⁴ By now he was in agony, and he prayed very fervently. And his sweat became like clots of blood, falling on the ground. ⁴⁵ Then he got up from praying, and came to the disciples and found them asleep because of sorrow.

⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he said to them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t come into the trial.”

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, a crowd appeared. The man named Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, ⁴⁸ but Jesus said to him, “Judas! Are you going to betray the son of man with a kiss?”

⁴⁹ Jesus’ followers saw what was about to happen.

“Master!” they said. “Shall we go in with the swords?” ⁵⁰ And one of them struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹ “Enough of that!” said Jesus, and healed the ear with a touch.

⁵² Then Jesus spoke to the arresting party—the chief priests, the Temple guards, and the elders.

“Anyone would think I was a brigand,” he said, “seeing you coming out like this with swords and clubs! ⁵³ Every day I’ve been in the Temple with you and you never laid hands on me. But your moment has come at last, and so has the power of darkness.”