Add parallel Print Page Options

The Plan to Kill Jesus

14 It was now only two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and teachers of the law were trying to find a way to use some trick to arrest Jesus and kill him. But they said, “We must not do it during the feast. The people might cause a riot.”

A Woman with Perfume for Jesus

Jesus was in Bethany. He was at dinner in the house of Simon, who had a harmful skin disease. While Jesus was there, a woman came to him. She had an alabaster jar filled with very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. The woman opened the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head.

Some of those who were there saw this and became angry. They complained to each other, saying, “Why waste that perfume? It was worth a full year’s work. It could be sold, and the money could be given to the poor.” They spoke to the woman sharply.

Jesus said, “Don’t bother the woman. Why are you troubling her? She did a beautiful thing for me. You will always have the poor with you. You can help them anytime you want. But you will not always have me. This woman did the only thing she could do for me. She poured perfume on my body. She did this before I die to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth. The Good News will be told to people in all the world. And in every place it is preached, what this woman has done will be told. And people will remember her.”

Judas Becomes an Enemy of Jesus

10 One of the 12 followers, Judas Iscariot, went to talk to the leading priests. Judas offered to give Jesus to them. 11 The leading priests were pleased about this. They promised to pay Judas money. So he waited for the best time to give Jesus to them.

Jesus Eats the Passover Feast

12 It was now the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This was a time when the Jews always sacrificed the Passover lambs. Jesus’ followers came to him. They said, “We will go and prepare everything for the Passover Feast. Where do you want to eat the feast?”

13 Jesus sent two of his followers and said to them, “Go into the city. A man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 He will go into a house. Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks that you show us the room where he and his followers can eat the Passover Feast.’ 15 The owner will show you a large room upstairs. This room is ready. Prepare the food for us there.”

16 So the followers left and went into the city. Everything happened as Jesus had said. So they prepared the Passover Feast.

17 In the evening, Jesus went to that house with the 12. 18 While they were all eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. One of you will give me to my enemies—one of you eating with me now.”

19 The followers were very sad to hear this. Each one said to Jesus, “I am not the one, am I?”

20 Jesus answered, “The man who is against me is 1 of the 12. He is the 1 who dips his bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man must go and die. The Scriptures say this will happen. But how terrible it will be for the person who gives the Son of Man to be killed. It would be better for that person if he had never been born.”

The Lord’s Supper

22 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread. He thanked God for it and broke it. Then he gave it to his followers and said, “Take it. This bread is my body.”

23 Then Jesus took a cup. He thanked God for it and gave it to the followers. All the followers drank from the cup.

24 Then Jesus said, “This is my blood which begins the new[a] agreement that God makes with his people. This blood is poured out for many. 25 I tell you the truth. I will not drink of this fruit of the vine[b] again until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

26 They sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus’ Followers Will All Leave Him

27 Then Jesus told the followers, “You will all lose your faith in me. It is written in the Scriptures:

‘I will kill the shepherd,
    and the sheep will scatter.’ Zechariah 13:7

28 But after I rise from death, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

29 Peter said, “All the other followers may lose their faith. But I will not.”

30 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth. Tonight you will say you don’t know me. You will say this three times before the rooster crows twice.”

31 But Peter answered strongly, “I will never say that I don’t know you! I will even die with you!” And all the other followers said the same thing.

Jesus Prays Alone

32 Jesus and his followers went to a place called Gethsemane. He said to his followers, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 Jesus told Peter, James, and John to come with him. Then Jesus began to be very sad and troubled. 34 He said to them, “I am full of sorrow. My heart is breaking with sadness. Stay here and watch.”

35 Jesus walked a little farther away from them. Then he fell on the ground and prayed. He prayed that, if possible, he would not have this time of suffering. 36 He prayed, “Abba,[c] Father! You can do all things. Let me not have this cup[d] of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.”

37 Then Jesus went back to his followers. He found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, why are you sleeping? You could not stay awake with me for one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray that you will not be tempted. Your spirit wants to do what is right, but your body is weak.”

39 Again Jesus went away and prayed the same thing. 40 Then he went back to the followers. Again he found them asleep because their eyes were very heavy. And they did not know what to say to Jesus.

41 After Jesus prayed a third time, he went back to his followers. He said to them, “You are still sleeping and resting? That’s enough! The time has come for the Son of Man to be given to sinful people. 42 Get up! We must go. Here comes the man who has turned against me.”

Jesus Is Arrested

43 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas came up. Judas was 1 of the 12 followers. He had many people with him. They were sent from the leading priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish elders. Those with Judas had swords and clubs.

44 Judas had planned a signal for them. He had said, “The man I kiss is Jesus. Arrest him and guard him while you lead him away.” 45 So Judas went to Jesus and said, “Teacher!” and kissed him. 46 Then the men grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 47 One of the followers standing near drew his sword. He struck the servant of the high priest with the sword and cut off his ear.

48 Then Jesus said, “You came to get me with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal. 49 Every day I was with you teaching in the Temple. You did not arrest me there. But all these things have happened to make the Scriptures come true.” 50 Then all of Jesus’ followers left him and ran away.

51 A young man, wearing only a linen cloth, was following Jesus. The people also grabbed him. 52 But the cloth he was wearing came off, and he ran away naked.

Jesus Before the Leaders

53 The people who arrested Jesus led him to the house of the high priest. All the leading priests, the Jewish elders, and the teachers of the law were gathered there. 54 Peter followed far behind and entered the courtyard of the high priest’s house. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

55 The leading priests and all the Jewish council tried to find something that Jesus had done wrong so they could kill him. But the council could find no proof against him. 56 Many people came and told false things about him. But all said different things—none of them agreed.

57 Then some men stood up and lied about Jesus. They said, 58 “We heard this man say, ‘I will destroy this Temple that men made. And three days later, I will build another Temple—a Temple not made by men.’” 59 But even the things these men said did not agree.

60 Then the high priest stood before them and said to Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer the charges these men bring against you?” 61 But Jesus said nothing. He did not answer.

The high priest asked Jesus another question: “Are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed God?”

62 Jesus answered, “I am. And in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of the Powerful One. And you will see the Son of Man coming on clouds in the sky.”

63 When the high priest heard this, he was very angry. He tore his clothes and said, “We don’t need any more witnesses! 64 You all heard him say these things against God. What do you think?”

They all said that Jesus was guilty and should be killed. 65 Some of the people there spit at Jesus. They covered his eyes and hit him with their fists. They said, “Prove that you are a prophet!” Then the guards led Jesus away and beat him.

Peter Says He Doesn’t Know Jesus

66 Peter was still in the courtyard when a servant girl of the high priest came there. 67 She saw Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked closely at him.

Then the girl said, “You were with Jesus, that man from Nazareth.”

68 But Peter said that he was never with Jesus. He said, “I don’t know or understand what you are talking about.” Then Peter left and went toward the entrance of the courtyard.[e]

69 The servant girl saw Peter there. Again she said to the people who were standing there, “This man is one of those who followed Jesus.” 70 Again Peter said that it was not true.

A short time later, some people were standing near Peter. They said, “We know you are one of those who followed Jesus. You are from Galilee, too.”

71 Then Peter began to curse. He said, “I swear that I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”

72 As soon as Peter said this, the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Then Peter was very sad and began to cry.

Footnotes

  1. 14:24 new Some Greek copies do not have this word. Compare Luke 22:20.
  2. 14:25 fruit of the vine Product of the grapevine; this may also be translated “wine.”
  3. 14:36 Abba Name that a child called his father.
  4. 14:36 cup Jesus is talking about the bad things that will happen to him. Accepting these things will be very hard, like drinking a cup of something that tastes very bitter.
  5. 14:68 Many Greek copies add: “And the rooster crowed.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany(A)(B)(C)

14 Now the Passover(D) and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.(E) “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

While he was in Bethany,(F) reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.(G)

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages[a] and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you,[b] and you can help them any time you want.(H) But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.(I) Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world,(J) what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve,(K) went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.(L) 11 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

The Last Supper(M)(N)

12 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb,(O) Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs,(P) furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”

16 The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me.(Q) 21 The Son of Man(R) will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it(S) and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.(T)

24 “This is my blood of the[c] covenant,(U) which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”(V)

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.(W)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(X)

27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.’[d](Y)

28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”(Z)

29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice[e] you yourself will disown me three times.”(AA)

31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you,(AB) I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Gethsemane(AC)

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John(AD) along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,”(AE) he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour(AF) might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[f] Father,”(AG) he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup(AH) from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”(AI)

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.(AJ) The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(AK)

39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour(AL) has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested(AM)

43 Just as he was speaking, Judas,(AN) one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!”(AO) and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts,(AP) and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”(AQ) 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.(AR)

51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin(AS)(AT)

53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.(AU) There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.(AV)

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(AW) were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another,(AX) not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.(AY)

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”(AZ)

62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”(BA)

63 The high priest tore his clothes.(BB) “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death.(BC) 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.(BD)

Peter Disowns Jesus(BE)

66 While Peter was below in the courtyard,(BF) one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself,(BG) she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,”(BH) she said.

68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,”(BI) he said, and went out into the entryway.[g]

69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.(BJ)

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”(BK)

71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”(BL)

72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[h] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[i] you will disown me three times.”(BM) And he broke down and wept.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 14:5 Greek than three hundred denarii
  2. Mark 14:7 See Deut. 15:11.
  3. Mark 14:24 Some manuscripts the new
  4. Mark 14:27 Zech. 13:7
  5. Mark 14:30 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.
  6. Mark 14:36 Aramaic for father
  7. Mark 14:68 Some early manuscripts entryway and the rooster crowed
  8. Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have the second time.
  9. Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.