Christ's Passion - Luke 22:14 - 23:56 (Year C)

14	When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.
15	And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
16	For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."
17	After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you.
18	For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
19	And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
20	In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
21	But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.
22	The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!"
23	They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
24	A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
25	Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.
26	But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.
27	For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
28	You are those who have stood by me in my trials.
29	And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,
30	so 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, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.
32	But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33	But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34	Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
35	Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered.
36	He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
37	It is written: ’And he was numbered with the transgressors’ ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."
38	The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That’s enough!" he replied.
39	Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
40	On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."
41	He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,
42	"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
43	An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
44	And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
45	When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
46	"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
47	While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him,
48	but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
49	When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?"
50	And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
51	But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
52	Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?
53	Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour —when darkness reigns."
54	Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.
55	And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.
56	A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."
57	But he denied it. "Woman, I don’t know him," he said.
58	A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied.
59	About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."
60	Peter replied, "Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.
61	The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times."
62	And he went outside and wept bitterly.
63	The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him.
64	They blindfolded him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you?"
65	And they said many other insulting things to him.
66	At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them.
67	"If you are the Messiah," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me,
68	and if I asked you, you would not answer.
69	But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
70	They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You say that I am."
71	Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips." Luke 23 1 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king." 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied. 4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." 5 But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here." 6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. 9 He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends —before this they had been enemies. 13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him." 18 But the whole crowd shouted, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) 20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" 22 For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him." 23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. 26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ’Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then "’they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"’ 31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals —one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One." 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don’t you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. " 43 Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." 44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. 47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. 50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Christ's Passion - Mark 14:1 - 15:47 (Year B)

 Mark 14

1	Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.
2	"But not during the festival," they said, "or the people may riot."
3	While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
4	Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume?
5	It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.
6	"Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
7	The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.
8	She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.
9	Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
10	Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.
11	They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
12	On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
13	So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him.
14	Say to the owner of the house he enters, ’The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’
15	He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."
16	The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
17	When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.
18	While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me —one who is eating with me."
19	They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely you don’t mean me?"
20	"It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me.
21	The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
22	While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."
23	Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24	"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them.
25	"Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
26	When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27	"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: "’I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
28	But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
29	Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
30	"Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "today —yes, tonight —before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."
31	But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.
32	They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."
33	He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
34	"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
35	Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.
36	, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
37	Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?
38	Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
39	Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
40	When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41	Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.
42	Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
43	Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.
44	Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard."
45	Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him.
46	The men seized Jesus and arrested him.
47	Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48	"Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?
49	Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."
50	Then everyone deserted him and fled.
51	A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,
52	he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
53	They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together.
54	Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
55	The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.
56	Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57	Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him:
58	"We heard him say, ’I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’"
59	Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60	Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"
61	But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?"
62	"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
63	The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked.
64	"You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.
65	Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.
66	While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.
67	When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said.
68	But he denied it. "I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway.
69	When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them."
70	Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean."
71	He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don’t know this man you’re talking about."
72	Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept. Mark 15 1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "You have said so," Jesus replied. 3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, "Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of." 5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. 6 Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. 9 "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them. 13 "Crucify him!" they shouted. 14 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. 16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" 19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. 20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull"). 23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. 25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!" 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. 33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ). 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he’s calling Elijah." 36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said. 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" 40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

Christ's Passion - Matthew 26:14 - 27:66 (Year A)

14	Then one of the Twelve —the one called Judas Iscariot —went to the chief priests
15	and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.
16	From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
17	On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
18	He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ’The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’"
19	So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20	When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
21	And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me."
22	They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?"
23	Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
24	The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
25	Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "You have said so."
26	While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27	Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.
28	This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29	I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom."
30	When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
31	Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: "’I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32	But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
33	Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
34	"Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
35	But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
36	Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
37	He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
38	Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39	Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
40	Then 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 so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42	He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
43	When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
44	So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45	Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.
46	Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
47	While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
48	Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."
49	Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
50	Jesus replied, "Do what you came for, friend." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
51	With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52	"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
53	Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
54	But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
55	In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.
56	But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
57	Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.
58	But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59	The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
60	But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
61	and declared, "This fellow said, ’I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’"
62	Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"
63	But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."
64	"You have said so," Jesus replied. "But 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 and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65	Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
66	What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.
67	Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him
68	and said, "Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?"
69	Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.
70	But he denied it before them all. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," he said.
71	Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."
72	He denied it again, with an oath: "I don’t know the man!"
73	After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away."
74	Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don’t know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.
75	Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Matthew 27
1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That’s your responsibility." 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me." 11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, "Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge —to the great amazement of the governor. 15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?" 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. 22 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" 23 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man’s blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" 25 All the people answered, "His blood is on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. 27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. 32 As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means "the place of the skull"). 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 "He saved others," they said, "but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ’I am the Son of God.’" 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. 45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ). 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He’s calling Elijah." 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him." 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" 55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. 57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. 62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ’After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." 65 "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.