The Plan to Kill Jesus
1Jesus finished saying all these things. Then he said to his disciples, 2“As you know, the Passover Feast is two days away. The Son of Man will be handed over to be nailed to a cross.”
3Then the chief priests met with the elders of the people. They met in the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest. 4They made plans to arrest Jesus secretly. They wanted to kill him. 5“But not during the feast,” they said. “The people may stir up trouble.”
A Woman Pours Perfume on Jesus
6Jesus was in Bethany. He was in the home of Simon, who had a skin disease. 7A woman came to Jesus with a special sealed jar of very expensive perfume. She poured the perfume on his head while he was at the table.
8When the disciples saw this, they became angry. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9“The perfume could have been sold at a high price. The money could have been given to poor people.”
10Jesus was aware of this. So he said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11You will always have poor people with you. But you will not always have me. 12She poured the perfume on my body to prepare me to be buried. 13What I’m about to tell you is true. What she has done will be told anywhere this good news is preached all over the world. It will be told in memory of her.”
Judas Agrees to Hand Jesus Over
14One of the 12 disciples went to the chief priests. His name was Judas Iscariot. 15He asked, “What will you give me if I hand Jesus over to you?” So they counted out 30 silver coins for him. 16From then on, Judas watched for the right time to hand Jesus over to them.
The Lord’s Supper
17It was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The disciples came to Jesus. They asked, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?”
18He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man. Tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ ” 19So the disciples did what Jesus had told them to do. They prepared the Passover meal.
20When evening came, Jesus was at the table with his 12 disciples. 21While they were eating, he said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. One of you will hand me over to my enemies.”
22The disciples became very sad. One after the other, they began to say to him, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord, do you?”
23Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will hand me over. 24The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But how terrible it will be for the one who hands over the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
25Judas was the one who was going to hand him over. He said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Teacher, do you?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
26While they were eating, Jesus took bread. He gave thanks and broke it. He handed it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat it. This is my body.”
27Then he took a cup. He gave thanks and handed it to them. He said, “All of you drink from it. 28This is my blood of the covenant. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many people. 29Here is what I tell you. From now on, I won’t drink wine with you again until the day I drink it with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus Says That the Disciples Will Turn Away
31Jesus told them, “This very night you will all turn away because of me. It is written that the Lord said,
“ ‘I will strike the shepherd down.
Then the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ (Zechariah 13:7)
32But after I rise from the dead, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
33Peter replied, “All the others may turn away because of you. But I never will.”
34“What I’m about to tell you is true,” Jesus answered. “It will happen tonight. Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.”
35But Peter said, “I may have to die with you. But I will never say I don’t know you.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him. He began to be sad and troubled. 38Then he said to them, “My soul is very sad. I feel close to death. Stay here. Keep watch with me.”
39He went a little farther. Then he fell with his face to the ground. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want.”
40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray. Then you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
42Jesus went away a second time. He prayed, “My Father, is it possible for this cup to be taken away? But if I must drink it, may what you want be done.”
43Then he came back. Again he found them sleeping. They couldn’t keep their eyes open. 44So he left them and went away once more. For the third time he prayed the same thing.
45Then he returned to the disciples. He said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look! The hour has come. The Son of Man is about to be handed over to sinners. 46Get up! Let us go! Here comes the one who is handing me over to them!”
Jesus Is Arrested
47While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived. He was one of the 12 disciples. A large crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests and the elders of the people had sent them. 48Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, had arranged a signal with them. “The one I kiss is the man,” he said. “Arrest him.” 49So Judas went to Jesus at once. He said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him.
50Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came to do.”
Then the men stepped forward. They grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51At that moment, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword. He pulled it out and struck the slave of the high priest with it. He cut off the slave’s ear.
52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “All who use the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think I can’t ask my Father for help? He would send an army of more than 70,000 angels right away. 54But then how would the Scriptures come true? They say it must happen in this way.”
55At that time Jesus spoke to the crowd. “Am I leading a band of armed men against you?” he asked. “Do you have to come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courtyard teaching. And you didn’t arrest me. 56But all this has happened so that the words of the prophets would come true.” Then all the disciples left him and ran away.
Jesus Is Taken to the Sanhedrin
57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest. The teachers of the law and the elders had come together there. 58Not too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see what would happen.
59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. 60But they did not find any proof, even though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally, two other witnesses came forward. 61They said, “This fellow claimed, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God. I can build it again in three days.’ ”
62Then the high priest stood up. He asked Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer? What are these charges that these men are bringing against you?” 63But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, “I am commanding you in the name of the living God. May he judge you if you don’t tell the truth. Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
64“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But here is what I say to all of you. From now on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65Then the high priest tore his clothes. He said, “He has spoken a very evil thing against God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard him say this evil thing. 66What do you think?”
“He must die!” they answered.
67Then they spit in his face. They hit him with their fists. Others slapped him. 68They said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who hit you?”
Peter Says He Does Not Know Jesus
69Peter was sitting out in the courtyard. A female servant came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
70But in front of all of them, Peter said he was not. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71Then he went out to the gate leading into the courtyard. There another servant saw him. She said to the people, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72Again he said he was not. With a curse he said, “I don’t know the man!”
73After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter. “You must be one of them,” they said. “The way you talk gives you away.”
74Then Peter began to curse and said to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Right away a rooster crowed. 75Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said. “The rooster will crow,” Jesus had told him. “Before it does, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Peter went outside. He broke down and cried.
A conspiração contra Jesus
(Mc 14.1-2; Lc 22.1-2; Jo 11.45-53)
1Quando Jesus acabou esta conversa com os discípulos, disse-lhes: 2“Como sabem, a festa da Páscoa começa dentro de dois dias e serei traído e crucificado.”
3Naquela mesma altura, os principais sacerdotes e os anciãos estavam reunidos na residência de Caifás, o sumo sacerdote, 4para combinar como poderiam prender Jesus sem dar nas vistas e como matá-lo: 5“Não o façamos, porém, durante a festa da Páscoa, porque haveria tumulto.”
Jesus é ungido em Betânia
(Mc 14.3-9; Lc 7.37-38; Jo 12.1-8)
6Entretanto, Jesus encontrava-se em Betânia, em casa de Simão, o leproso. 7Enquanto comia, entrou uma mulher com um vaso de alabastro com um perfume muito caro e derramou-lho sobre a cabeça. 8“Que desperdício de dinheiro!”, disseram os discípulos, zangados. 9“Mais valia tê-lo vendido por bom preço e dado o produto aos pobres!”
10Jesus percebeu os seus pensamentos e disse: “Porque estão a causar problemas a esta mulher, se ela me fez uma boa ação? 11É que os pobres sempre os terão convosco, mas a mim nem sempre me terão. 12Ela derramou este perfume sobre mim para preparar o meu corpo para a sepultura. 13É realmente como vos digo: em qualquer parte do mundo em que este evangelho seja pregado, o gesto dela será lembrado e elogiado.”
Judas concorda em trair Jesus
(Mc 14.10-11; Lc 22.3-6)
14Então Judas Iscariotes, um dos doze discípulos, foi ter com os principais sacerdotes 15e perguntou: “Quanto estão dispostos a pagar-me para vos entregar Jesus?” Deram-lhe trinta moedas de prata. 16A partir dali, Judas mantinha-se atento, à espera de ocasião para entregar Jesus.
A ceia do Senhor
(Mc 14.12-25; Lc 22.7-23; 1 Co 11.23-25)
17No primeiro dia da celebração dos pães sem fermento, os discípulos foram ter com Jesus e perguntaram: “Onde queres que te preparemos a refeição da Páscoa?”
18“Vão à cidade, procurem um certo homem e deem-lhe este recado: ‘O Mestre diz: Chegou a minha hora e pretendo tomar a refeição da Páscoa em tua casa com os meus discípulos.’ ” 19Então os discípulos fizeram como mandou e prepararam a ceia da Páscoa.
20Ao anoitecer, Jesus sentou-se a comer com os doze discípulos. 21Estavam a comer quando lhes disse: “É realmente como vos digo: um de vocês vai trair-me!”
22Eles ficaram muitíssimo tristes e cada qual começou a perguntar: “Serei eu, Senhor?”
23Ele respondeu: “Aquele que molhou comigo o pão no prato é quem me vai trair. 24O Filho do Homem tem de morrer, tal como as Escrituras disseram há muito. Mas ai do homem que me vai trair! Mais valia nunca ter nascido!”
25Também Judas, o que haveria de o trair, lhe perguntara: “Mestre, serei eu?” E Jesus respondera: “Tu próprio o disseste.”
26Quando estavam a comer, Jesus pegou no pão e, dando igualmente graças a Deus por ele, partiu-o e deu-o aos discípulos: “Tomem e comam; este é o meu corpo.” 27E levantando um cálice de vinho, agradeceu a Deus por ele, distribuiu-o pelos discípulos, e disse: “Bebam todos dele; 28porque isto é o meu sangue que sela a aliança e é derramado para perdoar os pecados de muitos. 29Prestem atenção às minhas palavras: não beberei outra vez deste vinho senão no dia em que o beber de novo convosco no reino do meu Pai.” 30Depois de cantarem um hino, foram até ao monte das Oliveiras.
Jesus prediz a negação do Pedro
(Mc 14.26-31; Lc 22.33-34; Jo 13.37-38)
31Então Jesus disse-lhes: “Esta noite todos irão abandonar-me, porque as Escrituras dizem: ‘Ferirei o pastor e espalhar-se-ão as ovelhas.’26.31 Zc 13.7. 32Mas depois de eu ressuscitar, irei para a Galileia e lá me encontrarei convosco.”
33Pedro disse-lhe: “Façam os outros o que fizerem, nunca te abandonarei!”
34Mas Jesus retorquiu-lhe: “A verdade é que esta mesma noite, antes que o galo cante pela madrugada, negar-me-ás três vezes!”
35Mas Pedro declarou: “Nem que tenha de morrer contigo, nunca te negarei!” E todos os outros discípulos garantiram o mesmo.
Getsemane
(Mc 14.32-42; Lc 22.39-46)
36Jesus levou-os a um lugar chamado Getsemane, onde disse aos discípulos: “Sentem-se aqui enquanto vou ali orar.” 37Levou consigo Pedro e os dois filhos de Zebedeu, Tiago e João, e começou a sentir tristeza e angústia. 38E disse-lhes: “A minha alma está cheia de uma tristeza mortal. Fiquem aqui e vigiem comigo.”
39Avançou um pouco e, prostando-se com o rosto em terra, orou: “Meu Pai, se é possível, que este cálice seja afastado de mim. Todavia, desejo a tua vontade e não a minha.” 40Voltou depois para junto dos três discípulos, mas encontrou-os a dormir. “Pedro, será que não podem velar comigo nem por uma hora? 41Vigiem e orem para não serem vencidos pela tentação, pois embora o espírito seja corajoso o corpo é fraco!”
42E retirou-se outra vez para orar: “Meu Pai, se este cálice não puder ser evitado, enquanto não o beber, cumpra-se a tua vontade.” 43Voltou de novo para junto dos discípulos e encontrou-os outra vez a dormir, porque tinham os olhos pesados de sono.
44Tornou a orar pela terceira vez, dizendo a mesma coisa. 45Então foi ter com os discípulos: “Ainda estão a dormir e a descansar? Chegou a hora! Vou ser entregue nas mãos dos pecadores! 46Levantem-se, vamos andando! Olhem, já aí vem aquele que me traiu!”
Jesus é preso
(Mc 14.43-50; Lc 22.47-53; Jo 18.3-11)
47Naquele momento, enquanto assim falava, Judas, um dos doze, chegou com muito povo armado de espadas e paus, enviado pelos principais sacerdotes e pelos anciãos do povo. 48Judas tinha-lhes dito que o entregaria com um sinal: “Saberão quem é quando o cumprimentar com um beijo. Então podem prendê-lo.” 49Judas aproximou-se logo de Jesus, exclamando: “Eu te saúdo, Mestre!” E beijou-o.
50“Amigo, faz já o que tens a fazer.” Então prenderam Jesus, segurando-o bem. 51Um dos discípulos puxou de uma espada e cortou a orelha do servo do sumo sacerdote.
52Então Jesus disse-lhe: “Guarda a espada no lugar dela! Pois todos quantos puxam da espada morrerão pela espada. 53Não percebes que bastava eu pedir ao meu Pai doze exércitos de anjos para nos protegerem, para os mandar imediatamente? 54Mas se o fizesse, como se cumpririam as Escrituras que há muito anunciaram o que está a acontecer agora?”
55Naquele momento, Jesus falou à multidão: “Sou algum assaltante perigoso para que venham assim prender-me, armados desta maneira com espadas e paus para me levarem preso? Todos os dias estava a ensinar no templo e não me prenderam. 56Mas tudo isto acontece para dar cumprimento às palavras dos profetas de que falam as Escrituras.” Naquela altura, todos os discípulos o abandonaram e fugiram.
Jesus perante o supremo tribunal
(Mc 14.53-65; Lc 22.54-55, 63-71; Jo 18.12-13, 19-24)
57Aqueles que prenderam Jesus levaram-no à residência do sumo sacerdote Caifás, onde os especialistas na Lei e os anciãos já se juntavam. 58Pedro seguia-o de longe. Entrando pelo portão da casa do sumo sacerdote, sentou-se com os criados, à espera de ver o que fariam a Jesus.
59Os principais sacerdotes e todo o conselho dos anciãos reuniram-se ali e, em vão, tentavam encontrar alguma acusação falsa contra Jesus, que bastasse para o condenar à morte. 60Embora achassem muitos dispostos a testemunharem, todos acabaram por se revelarem falsas testemunhas. Por fim, encontraram dois homens 61que afirmaram: “Este disse que era capaz de destruir o templo de Deus e construí-lo outra vez em três dias.”
62O sumo sacerdote levantou-se e perguntou a Jesus: “Recusas responder a esta acusação? Que tens a dizer em tua defesa?” 63Jesus continuou calado, pelo que o sumo sacerdote ordenou: “Em nome do Deus vivo, declara-nos se afirmas ou não ser o Cristo, o Filho de Deus.”
64Jesus replicou: “Sim, sou! E hão de ver o Filho do Homem sentado à direita de Deus Todo-Poderoso, voltando nas nuvens do céu.”
65Então o sumo sacerdote rasgou as suas roupas e gritou: “Ofensa a Deus! Para que precisamos nós de outras testemunhas? 66Ouviram a sua blasfémia! Qual é a vossa sentença?” E gritaram: “A morte! Tem de morrer!”
67Cuspiram-lhe na cara e bateram-lhe, e outros até lhe deram bofetadas, 68dizendo: “Profetiza-nos, Cristo, quem foi que te bateu agora?”
Pedro nega Jesus
(Mc 14.66-72; Lc 22.54-62; Jo 18.16-18, 25-27)
69Entretanto, Pedro continuava sentado no pátio e uma criada disse-lhe: “Tu estavas com Jesus; tu e ele são da Galileia.” 70Mas Pedro negou, zangado: “Não faço ideia do que dizes.”
71Pouco depois, fora da porta, outra criada reparou nele e comentou com os que ali se encontravam: “Este também estava com Jesus de Nazaré.” 72Mas Pedro tornou a negar, jurando: “Eu nem sequer o conheço!”
73Decorrido algum tempo, os homens que tinham estado ali aproximaram-se dele e disseram: “Sabemos que és um deles por causa do teu sotaque galileu.”
74Pedro então começou a jurar e a praguejar: “Eu nem sequer conheço esse homem!”, repetia. E imediatamente o galo cantou. 75Pedro lembrou-se de que Jesus lhe tinha dito: “Antes que o galo cante, negar-me-ás três vezes.” E saindo dali chorou amargamente.
