Sep. 17, 2024

Mar 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. 

Mar 14:2  "But not during the festival," they said, "or the people may riot." 

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Mar 14:3  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. 

Mar 14:4  Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? 

Mar 14:5  It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly. 

Mar 14:6  "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 

Mar 14:7  The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 

Mar 14:8  She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 

Mar 14:9  Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." 

Judas to Betray Jesus

Mar 14:10  Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. 

Mar 14:11  They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. 

The Passover with the Disciples

Mar 14:12  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?" 

Mar 14:13  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. 

Mar 14:14  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?' 

Mar 14:15  He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." 

Mar 14:16  The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 

Mar 14:17  When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 

Mar 14:18  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." 

Mar 14:19  They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely you don't mean me?" 

Mar 14:20  "It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 

Mar 14:21  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." 

Institution of the Lord's Supper

Mar 14:22  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." 

Mar 14:23  Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 

Mar 14:24  "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 

Mar 14:25  "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." 

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

Mar 14:26  When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 

Mar 14:27  "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' 

Mar 14:28  But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." 

Mar 14:29  Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." 

Mar 14:30  "Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times." 

Mar 14:31  But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.