The Plot against JESUS.

When JESUS had finished discoursing on all these subjects, HE said to HIS disciples, "In two days it will be Passover, at which time THE SON OF MAN will be handed over to be crucified."

       Meanwhile, the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled together in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they made plans to arrest JESUS by deceit and have HIM put to death. However, they said, "It must not occur during the feast, or the people may begin to riot."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 1 - 5

A Woman of Bethany Anoints JESUS.

       Now when JESUS was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to HIM with an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment and poured it over HIS head as HE reclined at table. When the disciples saw this, they became indignant, and they remarked, "Why this waste? This ointment could have been sold for a considerable sum, with the money given to the poor."

       JESUS was aware of their attitude, and HE said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has performed a good deed for ME. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have ME. In pouring this ointment on MY body, she has prepared ME for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever in the whole world this gospel is proclaimed, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 6 - 13

Judas Betrays JESUS.

       Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand HIM over to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray HIM.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 14 - 16

The Preparations for the Passover Supper.

       On the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to JESUS and asked, "Where do YOU want us to make the preparations for YOU to eat the Passover?" HE said: "Go to a certain man in the city and say to him, 'THE TEACHER says, "MY appointed time is near. I intend to celebrate the Passover at your house with MY disciples." ' " The disciples thereupon followed JESUS instructions, and they prepared the Passover.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 17 - 19

The Treachery of Judas Foretold.

       When evening came, HE reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, HE said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray ME." Greatly distressed on hearing this, they began to ask HIM, one after another, "Is it I, LORD?"

       HE answered, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with ME is the one who will betray ME. THE SON OF MAN indeed goes, as it is written of HIM, but woe to that man by whom THE SON OF MAN is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born."

       Then Judas, the one who would betray HIM, said: "Is it I, Rabbi?" JESUS replied, "You have said so."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 20 - 25

The Last Supper.

       While they were eating, JESUS took bread, and after HE had pronounced the blessing, HE broke it and gave it to HIS disciples, saying, "Take this and eat; this is MY body." Then HE took a cup, and after offering thanks HE gave it to them, saying, "Drink from this, all of you. For this is MY blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. And I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I shall drink it anew with you in the kingdom of MY FATHER."

       And after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 26 - 29

JESUS Predicts Peter's Denial.

       Then JESUS said to them, "This very night you will all be scandalized because of ME, for it is written:

       'I will strike the shepherd,

          and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

But after I have been raised up, I shall go ahead of you to Galilee."

       Peter said to HIM, "Even if all the others will be scandalized because of you, I will never be." JESUS replied, "Amen, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny ME three times." Peter said to HIM, "Even if I have to die with YOU, I will not deny YOU." And all the other disciples said the same thing.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 31 - 35

The Agony in the Garden.

       Then JESUS went with HIS disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and HE said to them, "Sit here while I go over there to pray." HE took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and HE began to suffer grief and anguish.

       Then HE said to them, "MY soul is sorrowful, even to the point of death. Remain here and keep watch with ME." Moving on a little farther, HE threw HIMSELF prostrate on the ground in prayer, saying, "MY FATHER, if it is possible, allow this cup to be taken from ME. Yet let YOUR will, not MINE, be done."

       Returning to the disciples, HE found them sleeping. HE said to Peter, "Could you not keep watch with ME for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak."

       HE went apart for a second time and prayed, "MY FATHER, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, YOUR will be done." Then HE came back again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

       HE left them there and went away again, praying for the third time in the same words as before. Then HE returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour has come for THE SON OF MAN to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let us be going! Look, MY betrayer is approaching."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 36 - 46

JESUS Is Arrested.

       While HE was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him there was a large crowd of men, armed with swords and clubs, who had been sent by the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now HIS betrayer had agreed with them on a signal, saying, "The one I shall kiss is the man. Arrest HIM." Proceeding directly to JESUS, he said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed HIM. JESUS said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came forward, seized JESUS, and placed HIM under arrest.

       Suddenly, one of those who were accompanying JESUS reached for his sword, drew it, and struck a servant of the high priest, slicing off his ear. Then JESUS said to him, "Put back your sword into its place. For all who take the sword shall die by the sword. Do you suppose that I cannot appeal to MY FATHER for help and HE will not immediately send ME more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

       At that hour, JESUS said to the crowd, "Why are you coming forth with swords and clubs to arrest ME, as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple, and you did not arrest ME. But all this has taken place so that the writings of the Prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted HIM and fled.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 47 - 56

JESUS Is Condemned by the Sanhedrin.

       Those who had arrested JESUS led HIM away to Caiaphas the high priest where the scribes and the elders had gathered. Meanwhile, Peter followed HIM at a distance up to the courtyard of the high priest. Then, going inside, he sat down with the attendants to see what the outcome would be.

       The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin tried to elicit some false testimony against JESUS so they could put HIM to death, but they failed in their efforts, even though many witnesses came forward with Perjured testimony. Finally, two men came forward who stated, "This man said, 'I can destroy the temple of GOD and rebuild it within three days.' "

       The high priest then rose and said to HIM, "Have YOU no reply to counter the testimony that these witnesses have given?" But JESUS remained silent. Then the high priest said to HIM, "I command YOU to tell us before THE LIVING GOD whether YOU are THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD." JESUS replied, "You have said it. But I tell you:

       From now on you will see THE SON OF MAN

          seated at the right hand of THE POWER and coming on the clouds of heaven."

       Then the high priest tore his robes and exclaimed, "HE has blasphemed! What need do we have for any further witnesses? Behold, you have just heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They shouted in reply, "HE deserves to die." Then they spat in HIS face and struck HIM with their fists. Some taunted HIM as they beat HIM, "Prophesy to us, CHRIST! Who hit YOU?"

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 57 - 68

Peter Denies JESUS.

       Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the servant girls came over to him and said, "You too were with JESUS the Galilean." But he denied it before all of them, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." When he walked out to the entrance gate, another servant girl caught sight of him and said to the people around her, "This man was with JESUS of Nazareth." And again he denied it, this time with an oath: "I do not know the man."

       Shortly afterward, some bystanders came up to Peter and said to him, "You unquestionably are one of them. Even your accent gives you away." Then Peter began to shout curses, and he swore an oath: "I do not know the man." At that very moment, a cock crowed, and Peter remembered what JESUS had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny ME three times." And he went outside and began to weep uncontrollably.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 26, VERSES 69 - 75

JESUS Is Handed Over to Pilate.

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in council to decide how to put HIM to death. They bound HIM and led HIM away, and handed HIM over to Pilate, the governor.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER, 27, VERSES 1 & 2

Judas Hangs Himself.

       When Judas discovered that JESUS, whom he betrayed, had been condemned he was seized with a sense of remorse, and he brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." They replied, "Of what importance is that to us? That is your responsibility." Flinging the silver pieces into the temple, he departed. Then he went off and hanged himself.

       The chief priests retrieved the silver coins and said, "It is not lawful for us to deposit this into the temple treasury, for it is blood money." They conferred together, and then used it to purchase the potter's field as a buri-al place for foreigners. This is the reason why that field to this very day is called the Field of Blood.

       Thus was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

       "And they took the thirty pieces of silver,

          the price set on his head by the people of Israel,

       and they used them to purchase the potter's field

          as THE LORD had commanded me."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 27, VERSES 3 - 10

JESUS Is Questioned by Pilate.

       Meanwhile, JESUS was brought into the presence of the governor, who asked HIM, "Are YOU THE KING OF THE JEWS?" JESUS replied, "You have said so." And when HE was accused by the chief priests and the elders, HE offered no reply. Pilate then said to HIM, "Have YOU not heard how many charges they have brought against YOU?" But HE did not offer a single word in response, much to the governor's amazement.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 27, VERSES 11 - 14

JESUS Is Sentenced to Death.

       Now on the occasion of the feast, the governor's custom was to release to the people one prisoner whom they had designated. At that particular time, they had in custody a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. Therefore, after the people had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which man do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or JESUS who is called THE CHRIST?" For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed HIM over.

       While he was still seated on the judge's bench, his wife sent him a message: "Have nothing to do with that innocent man. I have been greatly troubled today by a dream that I had about HIM."

       Meanwhile, the chief priests and the elders had persuaded the crowd to ask for the release of Barabbas and to have JESUS executed. Therefore, when the governor asked them, "Which of the two men do you want me to release to you?" they shouted, "Barabbas!" Pilate asked them, "Then what shall I do with JESUS who is called THE MESSIAH?" All of them shouted, "Let HIM be crucified!" He asked, "Why? What evil has HE done?" But they only screamed all the louder, "Let HIM be crucified!"

       When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was about to occur, he took some water and washed his hands in full view of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your responsibility." With one voice the entire crowd cried out, "Let HIS blood be on us and on our children!" He then released Barabbas to them, and after JESUS had been scourged, he handed HIM over to be crucified.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 27, VERSES 15 - 26

JESUS Is Crowned with Thorns.

       Then the governor's soldiers took JESUS inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around HIM. They stripped HIM and put a scarlet robe on HIM, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they placed it on HIS head and put a reed in HIS right hand. Then, bending the knee before HIM, they mocked HIM, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They also spat upon HIM and, taking the reed, used it to strike HIM on the head. And when they had finished mocking HIM, they stripped HIM of the robe, dressed HIM in HIS own clothes, and led HIM away to crucify HIM.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 27, VERSES 27 - 31

The Way of the Cross.

       As they went out, they encountered a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 27, VERSE 32

JESUS Is Crucified on Calvary.

       When they came to a place called Golgotha, which means the Place of the Skull, they offered HIM some wine to drink that had been mixed with gall; but after tasting it, HE refused to drink the mixture. And after they had crucified HIM, they divided HIS garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down there to keep guard over HIM. Above HIS head was inscribed the charge against HIM: "This is JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS." Two thieves were crucified with HIM, one on HIS right and the other on HIS left.

       Those people who passed by jeered at HIM, shaking their heads and saying, "YOU who claimed YOU could destroy the temple and rebuild it within three days, save YOURSELF! If YOU truly are THE SON OF GOD, come down from the cross!"

       In much the same way, the chief priests, together with the scribes and the elders, joined in the mockery, saying, "HE saved others, but HE cannot save HIMSELF. If HE is the king of Israel, let HIM come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in HIM. HE trusted in GOD; now let GOD deliver HIM if HE wants HIM, for HE said, 'I AM THE SON OF GOD.'" The thieves who were crucified with HIM also taunted HIM in the same way.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 27, VERSES 33 - 44

JESUS Dies on the Cross.

       Beginning at midday, there was darkness over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o'clock JESUS cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?"--that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, why have YOU forsaken ME?"

       On hearing this, some of the bystanders said, "This man is calling for Elijah." One of them immediately ran off to get a sponge, which he soaked in vinegar, put on a stick, and gave to HIM to drink. But the others said, "Wait! Let us see whether Elijah will come to save HIM." Then JESUS again cried out in a loud voice and gave up HIS spirit.

       And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and rocks were split apart. The tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after HIS resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now when the centurion and those who were keeping watch over JESUS with him witnessed the earthquake and all that was happening, they were terrified, and they said, "Truly, this man was THE SON OF GOD."

       Many women were also present, looking on from a distance. They had followed JESUS from Galilee and ministered to HIM. Among these were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 27, VERSES 45 - 56

JESUS Is Placed in the Tomb.

       When evening came, there arrived a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of JESUS. He went to Pilate and requested the body of JESUS. So Pilate ordered that it be handed over to him.

       Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb that he had hewn out of the rock. He then rolled an immense stone against the entrance of the tomb and departed. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulcher.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 27, VERSES 57 - 61

The Guard at the Tomb.

       The next day, on the morning after the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees came to Pilate in a group and said to him, "Your Excellency, we recall that while he was still alive, this imposter said, 'After three days I will be raised up.' Therefore, issue orders that the tomb be kept under surveillance until the third day. Otherwise, HIS disciples may go there and steal his body, and then tell the people, 'He has been raised from the dead.' This final deception would be worse than the first."

       Pilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go and make the grave as secure as you can." And so they went forth and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and posting a guard.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 27, VERSES 62 - 66

JESUS Is Raised from the Dead.

After the sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the sepulcher. And behold, there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of THE LORD, descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat upon it. His face shone like lightning, and his garments were as white as snow. The guards were so paralyzed with fear of him that they became like dead men.

       But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for JESUS who was crucified. HE is not here, for HE has been raised, as HE promised HE would be. Come and see the place where HE lay. Then go quickly and tell HIS disciples: 'HE has been raised from the dead and now HE is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see HIM.' Behold, I have told you."

       They were filled with fear and great joy, and they ran from the tomb to inform HIS disciples. And behold, JESUS came to meet them, saying, "Greetings." They approached HIM, embraced HIS feet, and worshiped HIM. Then JESUS said to them, "Do not be fearful. Go and tell MY brethren to go to Galilee. There they will see ME."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 28, VERSES 1 - 10

The Report of the Guard.

        While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. After the chief priests had conferred with the elders, they presented a large sum of money to the soldiers and gave them this order: "Say, 'His disciples came by night and stole the body while we were asleep.' And should the governor hear anything in this regard, we will explain the situation to him and you will be safe." The soldiers took the money and did as they had been instructed. And this story is still circulated among the Jews to this very day.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 28, VERSES 11 - 15

JESUS Gives the Great Commission.

       Then the eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where JESUS had told them to meet HIM. When they saw HIM, they prostrated themselves before HIM, although some doubted. Then JESUS approached them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to ME. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of THE FATHER and of THE SON and of THE HOLY SPIRIT, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I an with you always, to the end of the world."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 28, VERSES 16 - 20