Luke 22
22
Judas Becomes an Enemy of Jesus
1It was almost time for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover Feast. 2The leading priests and teachers of the law were trying to find a way to kill Jesus, because they were afraid of the people.
3Satan entered Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. 4Judas went to the leading priests and some of the soldiers who guarded the Temple and talked to them about a way to hand Jesus over to them. 5They were pleased and agreed to give Judas money. 6He agreed and watched for the best time to hand Jesus over to them when he was away from the crowd.
Jesus Eats the Passover Meal
7The Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lambs had to be sacrificed. 8Jesus said to Peter and John, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us to eat.”
9They asked, “Where do you want us to prepare it?” 10Jesus said to them, “After you go into the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters, 11and tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says: “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover meal with my followers?” ’ 12Then he will show you a large, furnished room upstairs. Prepare the Passover meal there.”
13So Peter and John left and found everything as Jesus had said. And they prepared the Passover meal.
The Lord’s Supper
14When the time came, Jesus and the apostles were sitting at the table. 15He said to them, “I wanted very much to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer. 16I will not eat another Passover meal until it is given its true meaning in the kingdom of God.”
17Then Jesus took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this cup and share it among yourselves. 18I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until God’s kingdom comes.”
19Then Jesus took some bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to the apostles, saying, “This is my body, which I am giving for you. Do this to remember me.” 20In the same way, after supper, Jesus took the cup and said, “This cup is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This new agreement begins with my blood which is poured out for you.
Who Will Turn Against Jesus?
21“But one of you will turn against me, and his hand is with mine on the table. 22What God has planned for the Son of Man will happen, but how terrible it will be for that one who turns against the Son of Man.”
23Then the apostles asked each other which one of them would do that.
Be Like a Servant
24The apostles also began to argue about which one of them was the most important. 25But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the non-Jewish people rule over them, and those who have authority over others like to be called ‘friends of the people.’ 26But you must not be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader should be like the servant. 27Who is more important: the one sitting at the table or the one serving? You think the one at the table is more important, but I am like a servant among you.
28“You have stayed with me through my struggles. 29Just as my Father has given me a kingdom, I also give you a kingdom 30so you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Don’t Lose Your Faith!
31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to test all of you as a farmer sifts his wheat. 32I have prayed that you will not lose your faith! Help your brothers be stronger when you come back to me.”
33But Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and even to die with you!”
34But Jesus said, “Peter, before the rooster crows this day, you will say three times that you don’t know me.”
Be Ready for Trouble
35Then Jesus said to the apostles, “When I sent you out without a purse, a bag, or sandals, did you need anything?”
They said, “No.”
36He said to them, “But now if you have a purse or a bag, carry that with you. If you don’t have a sword, sell your coat and buy one. 37The Scripture says, ‘He was treated like a criminal,’ and I tell you this scripture must have its full meaning. It was written about me, and it is happening now.”
38His followers said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.”
He said to them, “That is enough.”
Jesus Prays Alone
39Jesus left the city and went to the Mount of Olives, as he often did, and his followers went with him. 40When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray for strength against temptation.”
41Then Jesus went about a stone’s throw away from them. He kneeled down and prayed, 42“Father, if you are willing, take away this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.” 43Then an angel from heaven appeared to him to strengthen him. 44Being full of pain, Jesus prayed even harder. His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45When he finished praying, he went to his followers and found them asleep because of their sadness. 46Jesus said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray for strength against temptation.”
Jesus Is Arrested
47While Jesus was speaking, a crowd came up, and Judas, one of the twelve apostles, was leading them. He came close to Jesus so he could kiss him.
48But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you using the kiss to give the Son of Man to his enemies?”
49When those who were standing around him saw what was happening, they said, “Lord, should we strike them with our swords?” 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51Jesus said, “Stop! No more of this.” Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
52Those who came to arrest Jesus were the leading priests, the soldiers who guarded the Temple, and the elders. Jesus said to them, “You came out here with swords and clubs as though I were a criminal. 53I was with you every day in the Temple, and you didn’t arrest me there. But this is your time—the time when darkness rules.”
Peter Says He Doesn’t Know Jesus
54They arrested Jesus, and led him away, and brought him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed far behind them. 55After the soldiers started a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat together, Peter sat with them. 56A servant girl saw Peter sitting there in the firelight, and looking closely at him, she said, “This man was also with him.”
57But Peter said this was not true; he said, “Woman, I don’t know him.”
58A short time later, another person saw Peter and said, “You are also one of them.”
But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with him, because he is from Galilee, too.”
60But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!”
At once, while Peter was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. And Peter remembered what the Lord had said: “Before the rooster crows this day, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” 62Then Peter went outside and cried painfully.
The People Make Fun of Jesus
63The men who were guarding Jesus began making fun of him and beating him.
64They blindfolded him and said, “Prove that you are a prophet, and tell us who hit you.” 65They said many cruel things to Jesus.
Jesus Before the Leaders
66When day came, the council of the elders of the people, both the leading priests and the teachers of the law, came together and led Jesus to their highest court. 67They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.”
Jesus said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe me. 68And if I ask you, you will not answer. 69But from now on, the Son of Man will sit at the right hand of the powerful God.”
70They all said, “Then are you the Son of God?”
Jesus said to them, “You say that I am.”
71They said, “Why do we need witnesses now? We ourselves heard him say this.”
The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
