Luke 22

The Passover Meal

1-2 The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, drew near. The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way to do away with Jesus but, fearful of the people, they were also looking for a way to cover their tracks.

3-6 That's when Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot. He was one of the Twelve. Leaving the others, he conferred with the high priests and the Temple guards about how he might betray Jesus to them. They couldn't believe their good luck and agreed to pay him well. He gave them his word and started looking for a way to betray Jesus, but out of sight of the crowd.

7-8 The Day of Unleavened Bread came, the day the Passover lamb was butchered. Jesus sent Peter and John off, saying, "Go prepare the Passover for us so we can eat it together."

9 They said, "Where do you want us to do this?"

10-12 He said, "Keep your eyes open as you enter the city. A man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him home. Then speak with the owner of the house: The Teacher wants to know, 'Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?' He will show you a spacious second-story room, swept and ready. Prepare the meal there."

13 They left, found everything just as he told them, and prepared the Passover meal.

14-16 When it was time, he sat down, all the apostles with him, and said, "You've no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It's the last one I'll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God."

17-18 Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, "Take this and pass it among you. As for me, I'll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives."

19 Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory."

20 He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.

21-22 "Do you realize that the hand of the one who is betraying me is at this moment on this table? It's true that the Son of Man is going down a path already marked out—no surprises there. But for the one who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man, this is doomsday."

23 They immediately became suspicious of each other and began quizzing one another, wondering who might be about to do this.

Get Ready for Trouble

24-26 Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest. But Jesus intervened: "Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It's not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant.

27-30 "Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You'd rather eat and be served, right? But I've taken my place among you as the one who serves. And you've stuck with me through thick and thin. Now I confer on you the royal authority my Father conferred on me so you can eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and be strengthened as you take up responsibilities among the congregations of God's people.

31-32 "Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start."

33 Peter said, "Master, I'm ready for anything with you. I'd go to jail for you. I'd die for you!"

34 Jesus said, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me."

35 Then Jesus said, "When I sent you out and told you to travel light, to take only the bare necessities, did you get along all right?"
"Certainly," they said, "we got along just fine."

36-37 He said, "This is different. Get ready for trouble. Look to what you'll need; there are difficult times ahead. Pawn your coat and get a sword. What was written in Scripture, 'He was lumped in with the criminals,' gets its final meaning in me. Everything written about me is now coming to a conclusion."

38 They said, "Look, Master, two swords!"
But he said, "Enough of that; no more sword talk!"

A Dark Night

39-40 Leaving there, he went, as he so often did, to Mount Olives. The disciples followed him. When they arrived at the place, he said, "Pray that you don't give in to temptation."

41-44 He pulled away from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, "Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?" At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face.

45-46 He got up from prayer, went back to the disciples and found them asleep, drugged by grief. He said, "What business do you have sleeping? Get up. Pray so you won't give in to temptation."

47-48 No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a crowd showed up, Judas, the one from the Twelve, in the lead. He came right up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said, "Judas, you would betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"

49-50 When those with him saw what was happening, they said, "Master, shall we fight?" One of them took a swing at the Chief Priest's servant and cut off his right ear.

51 Jesus said, "Let them be. Even in this." Then, touching the servant's ear, he healed him.

52-53 Jesus spoke to those who had come—high priests, Temple police, religion leaders: "What is this, jumping me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I've been with you in the Temple and you've not so much as lifted a hand against me. But do it your way—it's a dark night, a dark hour."

A Rooster Crowed

54-56 Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm. One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, "This man was with him!"

57 He denied it, "Woman, I don't even know him."

58 A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, "You're one of them."
But Peter denied it: "Man, I am not."

59 About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: "He's got to have been with him! He's got 'Galilean' written all over him."

60-62 Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about." At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried.

Slapping Him Around

63-65 The men in charge of Jesus began poking fun at him, slapping him around. They put a blindfold on him and taunted, "Who hit you that time?" They were having a grand time with him.

66-67 When it was morning, the religious leaders of the people and the high priests and scholars all got together and brought him before their High Council. They said, "Are you the Messiah?"

68-69 He answered, "If I said yes, you wouldn't believe me. If I asked what you meant by your question, you wouldn't answer me. So here's what I have to say: From here on the Son of Man takes his place at God's right hand, the place of power."

70 They all said, "So you admit your claim to be the Son of God?"
"You're the ones who keep saying it," he said.

71 But they had made up their minds, "Why do we need any more evidence? We've all heard him as good as say it himself."

Luke 22

1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.2 And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death; for they feared the people.3 And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.4 And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them.5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.6 And he consented, and sought opportunity to deliver him unto them in the absence of the multitude.7 And the day of unleavened bread came, on which the passover must be sacrificed.8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and make ready for us the passover, that we may eat.9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we make ready?10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house whereinto he goeth.11 And ye shall say unto the master of the house, The Teacher saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the apostles with him.15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:16 for I say unto you, I shall not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.17 And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:18 for I say unto you, I shall not drink from henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.20 And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.21 But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.22 For the Son of man indeed goeth, as it hath been determined: but woe unto that man through whom he is betrayed!23 And they began to question among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.24 And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest.25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors.26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.27 For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth.28 But ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations;29 and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me,30 that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:32 but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren.33 And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death.34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.35 And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing.36 And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.37 For I say unto you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with transgressors: for that which concerneth me hath fulfilment.38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.39 And he came out, and went, as his custom was, unto the mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him.40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.41 And he was parted from them about a stone’s cast; and he kneeled down and prayed,42 saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.43 And there appeared unto him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became as it were great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.45 And when he rose up from his prayer, he came unto the disciples, and found them sleeping for sorrow,46 and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.47 While he yet spake, behold, a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them; and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?49 And when they that were about him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?50 And a certain one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his right ear.51 But Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye them thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.52 And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.54 And they seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed afar off.55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them.56 And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking stedfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him.57 But he denied, saying, Woman, I know him not.58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not.59 And after the space of about one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilaean.60 But Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said unto him, Before the cock crow this day thou shalt deny me thrice.62 And he went out, and wept bitterly.63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and beat him.64 And they blindfolded him, and asked him, saying, Prophesy: who is he that struck thee?65 And many other things spake they against him, reviling him.66 And as soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes; and they led him away into their council, saying,67 If thou art the Christ, tell us. But he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:68 and if I ask you, ye will not answer.69 But from henceforth shall the Son of man be seated at the right hand of the power of God.70 And they all said, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.71 And they said, What further need have we of witness? for we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.