Study Desk

Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.^(h)

There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.⁽ⁱ⁾

"But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.

And so you will bear testimony to me.^(j)

But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.^(k)

For I will give you^(l) words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends,^(m) and they will put some of you to death.

Everyone will hate you because of me.⁽ⁿ⁾

But not a hair of your head will perish.^(o)

Stand firm, and you will win life.^(p)

"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies,^(q) you will know that its desolation is near.

Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.^(r)

For this is the time of punishment^(s) in fulfillment^(t) of all that has been written.

How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.

They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled^(u) on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.^(v)

People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.^(w)

At that time they will see the Son of Man^(x) coming in a cloud^(y) with power and great glory.

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."^(z)

He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.

Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God^(aa) is near.

"Truly I tell you, this generation^(ab) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.^(ac)

"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,^(ad) and that day will close on you suddenly^(ae) like a trap.

For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.

Be always on the watch, and pray^(af) that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple,^(ag) and each evening he went out^(ah) to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,^(ai)

and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.^(aj)

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus^(a)

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching,^(b)

and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus,^(c) for they were afraid of the people.

Then Satan^(d) entered Judas, called Iscariot,^(e) one of the Twelve.

And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard^(f) and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.

They were delighted and agreed to give him money.^(g)

He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.^(m)

Jesus sent Peter and John,⁽ⁿ⁾ saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."

"Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.

He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters,

and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?'

He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there."

They left and found things just as Jesus had told them.^(o) So they prepared the Passover.

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles^(p) reclined at the table.^(q)

And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.^(r)

For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."^(s)

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you.

For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it,^(t) and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant^(u) in my blood, which is poured out for you.^[a]

But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.^(v)

The Son of Man^(w) will go as it has been decreed.^(x) But woe to that man who betrays him!"

They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.^(y)

Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.

But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest,^(z) and the one who rules like the one who serves.^(aa)

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.^(ab)

You are those who have stood by me in my trials.

And I confer on you a kingdom,^(ac) just as my Father conferred one on me,

so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom^(ad) and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.^(ae)

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked^(af) to sift all of you as wheat.^(ag)

But I have prayed for you,^(ah) Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."^(ai)

But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."^(aj)

Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals,^(ak) did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered.

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.

It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors'^[b];^(al) and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."

The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That's enough!" he replied.

Jesus went out as usual^(an) to the Mount of Olives,^(ao) and his disciples followed him.

On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."^(ap)

He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down^(aq) and prayed,

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup^(ar) from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."^(as)

An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.^(at)

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.^[c]

When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.

"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."^(au)