Luke 21

1 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box,2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.3 And he said, Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.

5 
And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said,6 As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.7 And they asked him, Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?8 And he said, See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, I am he! and, The time is at hand! Do not go after them.9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.

10 
Then he said to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness.14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake.18 But not a hair of your head will perish.19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

20 
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 
And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

29 
And he told them a parable: Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.30 As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.32 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

34 
But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.

37 
And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

Luke 22

1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover.2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared the people.

3 
Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

7 
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.9 They said to him, Where will you have us prepare it?10 He said to them, Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters11 and tell the master of the house, The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

14 
And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him.15 And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves.18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

24 
A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.25 And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

28 
You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom,30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.33 Peter said to him, Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.34 Jesus said, I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.

35 
And he said to them, When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything? They said, Nothing.36 He said to them, But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: And he was numbered with the transgressors. For what is written about me has its fulfillment.38 And they said, Look, Lord, here are two swords. And he said to them, It is enough.

39 
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, Pray that you may not enter into temptation.41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed,42 saying, Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow,46 and he said to them, Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.

47 
While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him,48 but Jesus said to him, Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we strike with the sword?50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.51 But Jesus said, No more of this! And he touched his ear and healed him.52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

54 
Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance.55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, This man also was with him.57 But he denied it, saying, Woman, I do not know him.58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, You also are one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not.59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.60 But Peter said, Man, I do not know what you are talking about. And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

63 
Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him.64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.

66 
When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said,67 If you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe,68 and if I ask you, you will not answer.69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.70 So they all said, Are you the Son of God, then? And he said to them, You say that I am.71 Then they said, What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.

Luke 23

1 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate.2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.3 And Pilate asked him, Are you the King of the Jews? And he answered him, You have said so.4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, I find no guilt in this man.5 But they were urgent, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.

6 
When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.9 So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer.10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

13 
Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,14 and said to them, You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.16 I will therefore punish and release him.

18 
But they all cried out together, Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas--19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus,21 but they kept shouting, Crucify, crucify him!22 A third time he said to them, Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed.24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.

26 
And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.28 But turning to them Jesus said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us, and to the hills, Cover us.31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?

32 
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.34 And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they cast lots to divide his garments.35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine37 and saying, If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!38 There was also an inscription over him, This is the King of the Jews.

39 
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!40 But the other rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.42 And he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.43 And he said to him, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

44 
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit! And having said this he breathed his last.47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, Certainly this man was innocent!48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

50 
Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man,51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid.56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.