The Gospel According to St. Mark

⭑ Unlocked Dynamic Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 14 -

(Matthew 26:1–5; Luke 22:1–2; John 11:45–57)

It was only two days before the people would begin to celebrate the week-long festival that they called the Passover. During those days they also celebrated the festival which they called Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the men who taught the Jewish laws were planning how they could arrest Jesus secretly and put him to death.

But they were saying to one another, “We must not do it during the festival because if we do it then, the people will be very angry with us and riot!”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

(Matthew 26:6–13; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8)

Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon, who was known as a leper. While they were eating, a woman came to him. She was carrying a stone jar that contained expensive, fragrant perfume called nard. She opened the jar and then poured all the perfume on Jesus’ head.

Some of the people who were present became angry and said to themselves, “It is terrible that she wasted that perfume!

It could have been sold for almost a year’s wages and then the money could have been given to poor people!” So they scolded her.

But Jesus said, “Stop scolding her! She has done to me what I consider to be very appropriate. So you should not bother her!

You will always have poor people among you. So you can help them whenever you want to. But I will not be here with you much longer.

It is appropriate that she has done what she could do. It is as if she had known that I was going to die soon, because she has anointed my body ahead of time so that it is ready for burial.

I will tell you this: Wherever my followers preach the good news throughout the world, they will also tell what she has done, and people will remember her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

(Matthew 26:14–16; Luke 22:3–6)

Then Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests to talk about helping them to capture Jesus. He did that even though he was one of the twelve disciples.

When the chief priests heard what he was willing to do for them, they were very happy. They promised that they would give him a large amount of money in return. Judas agreed and began watching for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them.

Preparing the Passover

(Matthew 26:17–19; Luke 22:7–13)

On the first day of the festival that they call Unleavened Bread, when they kill the lambs for the Passover, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the meal for the Passover Celebration so that we can eat it?”

So Jesus chose two of his disciples to prepare everything. He said to them, “Go into Jerusalem. A man will meet you, who will be carrying a large jar full of water. Follow him.

When he enters a house, say to the man who owns the house, ‘Our teacher wants us to prepare the meal of the Passover Celebration so that he can eat it with us his disciples. Please show us the room.’

He will show you a large room that is on the upper floor of the house. It will be furnished and ready for us to eat a meal in it. Then prepare the meal there for us.”

So the two disciples left. They went into the city and found everything to be just like he had told them. They prepared the meal for the Passover Celebration there.

The Last Supper

(Matthew 26:20–30; Luke 22:14–23; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34)

When it was evening, Jesus arrived at that house with the twelve disciples.

As they were all sitting there and eating, Jesus said, “Listen carefully to this: One of you will make it possible for my enemies to arrest me. It is one of you who is eating with me right now!”

The disciples became very sad and they said to him one by one, “Surely it is not I?”

Then he said to them, “It is one of you twelve disciples, the one who is dipping bread into the sauce in the dish along with me.

It is certain that I, the Son of Man, will die, because that is what has been written about me. But there will be terrible punishment for the man who betrays me! In fact, he would have been better off if he had never been born!”

While they were eating, he took a flat loaf of bread and thanked God for it. Then he broke it into pieces and gave it to them and said to them, “This bread is my body. Take it and eat it.”

Afterwards, he took a cup that contained wine and thanked God for it. Then he gave it to them and they all drank.

He said to them, “This wine is my blood, which is about to be shed when my enemies kill me. With this blood I will confirm the covenant that God has made to forgive the sins of many people.

I want you to know this: I will not drink any more wine until the time when I drink it again when God shows himself as king.”

After they sang a hymn, they went out toward the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

(Zechariah 13:7–9; Matthew 26:31–35; Luke 22:31–38; John 13:36–38)

While they were on their way, Jesus said to them, “They wrote in the scriptures that God said about me, ‘I will kill the shepherd and scatter his sheep.’ Those words will come true. You will leave me and run away.

But after God makes me alive again, I will go ahead of you to the district of Galilee and meet you there.”

Then Peter said to him, “Perhaps all the other disciples will leave you, but I will not! I will not leave you!”

Then Jesus said to him, “The truth is that this very night, before the rooster crows two times, you will say about me three times, that you do not know me.

But Peter replied strongly, “Even if they kill me, I will not say that I do not know you.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

(Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46)

On the way, Jesus and the disciples came to the place that people call Gethsemane. Then he said to some of his disciples, “Stay here while I pray!”

Then he took Peter, James, and John with him. He became extremely upset.

He said to them, “I am very sorrowful. It is as if I were about to die. You men stay here and keep watch!”

He went a bit farther and threw himself on the ground. Then he prayed that if it were possible, he would not have to suffer.

He said, “O my Father, because you are able to do everything, rescue me so that I do not have to suffer now! But do not do what I want. Instead, do what you want!”

Then he returned and found his disciples sleeping. He woke them up and said, “Simon! Are you sleeping? Were you not able to stay awake for just a short time?”

And he said to them, “You want to do what I say, but you are weak. So keep awake and pray so that you can resist when you are tempted!”

Then he went away again and prayed again what he prayed before.

When he returned, he found that they were sleeping again; they were so sleepy that they could not keep their eyes open. Because they were ashamed, they did not know what to say to him when he awakened them.

Then he went and prayed again. He returned a third time and found them sleeping again. He said to them, “You are still asleep? No more of this! The time for me to suffer is about to begin. Look! Someone is about to enable sinful men to capture me, the Son of Man.

So get up! Let us go! Look! Here comes the one who is enabling them to capture me!”

The Betrayal of Jesus

(Matthew 26:47–56; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:1–14)

While he was still speaking, Judas arrived. Even though he was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, he came to enable Jesus’ enemies to capture him. A crowd who carried swords and clubs was with him. The leaders of the Jewish council had sent them.

Judas, who was betraying Jesus, had previously told this crowd, “The man whom I kiss is the one whom you want. When I kiss him, seize him and lead him away.”

So, when Judas arrived, he immediately went to Jesus and said, “My teacher!” Then he kissed Jesus.

Then the crowd seized Jesus.

But one of the disciples who was standing nearby drew his sword. He struck the servant of the high priest with it, but he only cut off his ear.

Jesus said to them, “It is ridiculous that you come here to seize me with swords and clubs, as if I were a robber!

Day after day I was with you in the temple courtyard teaching the people! Why did you not arrest me then? But this is happening so that what the prophets have written in the scriptures about me may come true.”

All the disciples at once left him and ran away.

At that time, a young man was following Jesus. He was wearing only a linen cloth around his body. The crowd seized him,

but, as he pulled away from them, he left behind the linen cloth in their hands, and then he ran away naked.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

(Matthew 26:57–68; Luke 22:66–71; John 18:19–24)

The men who had seized Jesus led him away to the high priest’s house. All of the Jewish council were gathering there.

Peter followed Jesus at a distance. He went into the courtyard of the house where the high priest lived, and he sat there with the men who guarded the house of the high priest. He was warming himself beside a fire.

The chief priests and all the rest of the Jewish council were looking for evidence against Jesus that would be strong enough to put him to death. But they did not find any evidence that would require the officials to put him to death.

Many other people told lies about Jesus, but the statements they made did not agree with each other. And so, their statements were not strong enough to make a charge against Jesus.

Finally, some stood up and accused him falsely by saying,

“We heard him when he said, ‘I will destroy this temple that was built by men, and then within three days I will build another temple without help from anyone else.’”

But what some of these men said also did not agree with what others of them said.

Then the high priest himself stood up in front of them and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to reply? What do you say about all the things that they are saying in order to accuse you?”

But Jesus was silent and did not reply. Then the high priest tried again. He asked him, “Are you the Messiah? Do you say that you are the Son of God?”

Jesus said, “I am. Furthermore, you will see me, the Son of Man, ruling beside God, who is completely powerful. You will also see me coming down through the clouds in the sky!”

When Jesus said this, the high priest tore his own outer garment in protest, and the high priest said, “Do we need more witnesses to testify against this man?

You have heard his blasphemy! He claims to be God!” They all agreed that Jesus was guilty and that he deserved to be put to death.

Then some of them began spitting on Jesus. They put a blindfold on him, and then they began striking him and saying to him, “If you are a prophet, tell us who hit you!” And those who were guarding Jesus struck him with their hands.

Peter Denies Jesus

(Matthew 26:69–75; Luke 22:54–62; John 18:15–18)

While Peter was outside in the courtyard of the high priest’s house, one of the girls who worked for the high priest came near him.

When she saw Peter warming himself beside the fire, she looked at him closely. Then she said, “You also were with Jesus, that man from Nazareth!”

But he denied it by saying, “I do not know what you are talking about! I understand nothing of it!” Then he went away from there to the gate of the courtyard.

The servant girl saw him there and said again to the people who were standing nearby, “This man is one of those who have been with that man they arrested.”

But he denied it again. After a little while, those who were standing there said to Peter again, “You also are from Galilee. So it is certain that you are one of those who accompanied Jesus!”

But he began to say that God could punish him if he were not telling the truth; he said, “I do not know the man that you are talking about!”

Immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said to him earlier: “Before the rooster crows a second time, you will deny three times that you know me.” When he realized that he had denied him three times, he started crying.

(Matthew 26:1–5; Luke 22:1–2; John 11:45–57)

It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception and kill him.

For they said, “Not during the feast, because there might be a riot among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

(Matthew 26:6–13; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8)

While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard—very costly. She broke the jar and poured it over his head.

But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted?

For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii

(a)

and given to the poor.” So they grumbled against her.

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.

For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.

She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.

Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

(Matthew 26:14–16; Luke 22:3–6)

Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them.

They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.

Preparing the Passover

(Matthew 26:17–19; Luke 22:7–13)

On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?”

He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and there a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him,

and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’

He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.”

His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.

The Last Supper

(Matthew 26:20–30; Luke 22:14–23; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34)

When it was evening he came with the twelve.

As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats with me.”

They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I?” And another said, “Surely not I?”

He answered them, “It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.

For the Son of Man goes as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”

As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed it, he broke it and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body.”

He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.

He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.

Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in God’s Kingdom.”

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

(Zechariah 13:7–9; Matthew 26:31–35; Luke 22:31–38; John 13:36–38)

Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ (b)

However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”

But Peter said to him, “Although all will be offended, yet I will not.”

Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that you today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

But he spoke all the more, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” They all said the same thing.

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

(Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46)

They came to a place which was named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”

He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed.

He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.

He said, “Abba, (c) Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire.”

He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour?

Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.

Again he returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they didn’t know what to answer him.

He came the third time and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Arise! Let’s get going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”

The Betrayal of Jesus

(Matthew 26:47–56; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:1–14)

Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came—and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.

Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.”

When he had come, immediately he came to him and said, “Rabbi! Rabbi!” and kissed him.

They laid their hands on him and seized him.

But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

Jesus answered them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?

I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.”

They all left him, and fled.

A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,

but he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

(Matthew 26:57–68; Luke 22:66–71; John 18:19–24)

They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.

Peter had followed him from a distance, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.

Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.

For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn’t agree with each other.

Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying,

“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’”

Even so, their testimony didn’t agree.

The high priest stood up in the middle, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?”

But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

Jesus said, “I am. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky.”

The high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need have we of witnesses?

You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” They all condemned him to be worthy of death.

Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, “Prophesy!” The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.

Peter Denies Jesus

(Matthew 26:69–75; Luke 22:54–62; John 18:15–18)

As Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the maids of the high priest came,

and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You were also with the Nazarene, Jesus!”

But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” He went out on the porch, and the rooster crowed.

The maid saw him and began again to tell those who stood by, “This is one of them.”

But he again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Peter, “You truly are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”

But he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know this man of whom you speak!”

The rooster crowed the second time. Peter remembered the words that Jesus said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” When he thought about that, he wept.

Footnotes

(a)14:5 300 denarii was about a year’s wages for an agricultural laborer.

(b)14:27 ℘ Zechariah 13:7

(c)14:36 Abba is a Greek spelling for the Aramaic word for “Father” or “Daddy” used in a familiar, respectful, and loving way.