27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

29Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.31So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.33Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Be Watchful for the Day

34But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.35For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth.36So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37Every day Jesus taught at the temple, but every evening He went out to spend the night on the Mount of Olives.38And early in the morning all the people would come to hear Him at the temple.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching,2and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death; for they feared the people.

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

3Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve.4And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them.5They were delighted and agreed to give him money.6Judas consented, and began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them in the absence of a crowd.

Preparing the Passover

7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed.8Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover.”

9“Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked.

10He answered, “When you enter the city, a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters,11and say to the owner of that house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’12And he will show you a large upper room, already furnished. Make preparations there.”

13So they went and found it just as Jesus had told them. And they prepared the Passover.

The Last Supper

14When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles.15And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering.16For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”17After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves.18For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”

19And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”20In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.21Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table.22Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.”

23Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this.

Who Is the Greatest?

24A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest.25So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors.26But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.27For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.

28You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials.29And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me,30so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

33“Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.”

34But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

35Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.

36“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.37For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment.”

38So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered.

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

39Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him.40When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.”

41And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed,42“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

43Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.44And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

45When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.46“Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.”

The Betrayal of Jesus

47While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.48But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

51But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw?53Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.”

Peter Denies Jesus

54Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance.55When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.56A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said.

57But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said.

58A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”

59About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.”

60“Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. While he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.61And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

63The men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him.64They blindfolded Him and kept demanding, “Prophesy! Who hit You?”65And they said many other blasphemous things against Him.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

66At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said,67“If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe.68And if I ask you a question, you will not answer.69But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

70So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.”

71“Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.”

Jesus before Pilate

1Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate.2And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

3So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.

4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”

5But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

Jesus before Herod

6When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.7And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time.

8When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle.9Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer.10Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him.11And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.12That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

13Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him.15Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.16Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”18But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”19(Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again,21but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

22A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.”23But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed.24So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met.25As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and handed Jesus over to their will.

The Crucifixion

26As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.27A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him.28But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.29Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’

31For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus.33When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.