Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Luke 22
The Plot and Judas
The Festival of Unleavened Bread, called Passover, was drawing near. The chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death because they feared the people. Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. Judas went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple officers how he might hand Jesus over to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. He consented and began looking for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
Preparing the Passover
The day of Unleavened Bread came, when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John: “Go and prepare the Passover for us so we may eat it.” They asked him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?” He said, “Look, when you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters. Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large furnished upstairs room. Prepare it there.” They went and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
The Supper
When the hour came, Jesus reclined at the table, and the apostles were with him. He said to them, “I have intensely desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will certainly not eat it again until it is fulfilled in God’s kingdom.” He took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you, from now on I will certainly not drink from the fruit of the vine until God’s kingdom comes.” He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you.” “But look—the hand of the one handing me over is with me at the table. The Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that person through whom he is handed over!” They began discussing among themselves which of them might be the one who would do this.
Greatness and Service
A dispute also arose among them about which of them was considered greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those exercising authority over them are called Benefactors. But it must not be this way among you. Instead, let the greatest among you become like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one reclining at the table or the one serving? Is it not the one reclining? But I am among you as one who serves. You are the ones who have remained with me in my trials. And I assign you a kingdom, just as my Father assigned one to me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Simon Will Be Sifted
“Simon, Simon, look—Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me.”
Purses, Bags, and Swords
He said to them, “When I sent you without moneybag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He told them, “But now, whoever has a moneybag must take it, and likewise a traveling bag. Whoever has no sword must sell a cloak and buy one. For I tell you, this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with the lawless.’ For what concerns me is reaching its fulfillment.” They said, “Lord, look—here are two swords.” He said to them, “That is enough.”
Jesus Prays and Is Arrested
Jesus went out and, according to his custom, went to the Mount of Olives. The disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you do not enter into testing.” He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in agony, he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and came to the disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you do not enter into testing.” While he was still speaking, look—a crowd arrived, led by the one called Judas, one of the twelve. Judas approached Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you handing over the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those around Jesus saw what was about to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” One of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this.” He touched the man’s ear and healed him. Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come against him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as though I were a robber? Every day I was with you in the temple, and you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour and the authority of darkness.”
Peter Denies Jesus
They seized Jesus, led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance. They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, and Peter sat among them. A servant girl saw him sitting in the firelight, looked closely at him, and said, “This man was with him too.” But Peter denied it: “Woman, I do not know him.” A little later someone else saw him and said, “You too are one of them.” Peter said, “Man, I am not.” About an hour later another person insisted, “Certainly this man was with him too, because he is a Galilean.” Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he had told him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
Jesus Mocked and Questioned
The men holding Jesus mocked and beat him. They blindfolded him and kept asking, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” They said many other blasphemous things against him. When day came, the council of the people’s elders gathered, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him into their council. They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you certainly will not believe. And if I ask you, you certainly will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of God’s power.” They all said, “Are you then God’s Son?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” They said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We ourselves have heard it from his own mouth.”