Jesus

12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Jesus went into the temple, God's house in Jerusalem. He drove out everyone who was buying and selling there. He turned over the tables of the men who traded money. He turned over the seats of the men selling doves.

13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

He said to them, "God's book says, 'My house will be called a house of prayer.' But you have made it a hideout for robbers."

14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

Blind people and people who could not walk came to him at the temple. He made them well.

15And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,

The chief priests were the leaders in charge of the temple. The scribes were teachers who copied and studied God's law. They saw the wonderful things Jesus did. They heard children shouting in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" This made them very angry.

16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

They said to Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes. Have you never read this? 'You have taught little children and babies to praise you.'"

17And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

Then he left them. He went out of the city to the town of Bethany and stayed the night there.

1And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

Jesus finished saying all these things. Then he spoke to his disciples, his close followers.

2Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

He said, "You know the Passover feast is two days away. The Son of Man will be handed over to be killed on a cross." Son of Man was the name Jesus used for himself.

3Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

Then the chief priests, the teachers of God's law, and the leaders of the people met. They met at the house of the high priest, the top priest, named Caiaphas.

4And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

They made a plan to grab Jesus in a sneaky way and kill him.

5But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

But they said, "Not during the feast. The people might get angry and start a riot."

6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

Jesus was in the town of Bethany. He was in the house of Simon the leper, a man who had a bad skin disease.

7There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

A woman came to him with a stone jar of costly perfume. She poured it on his head while he sat eating.

8But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

The disciples saw this and were upset. They said, "Why waste it like that?"

9For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

They said, "This perfume could have been sold for a lot of money. The money could have been given to poor people."

10When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

Jesus knew what they were saying. He said, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a good thing for me."

11For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

"You will always have poor people with you. But you will not always have me."

12For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

"She poured this perfume on my body to get it ready for burial."

13Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

"I tell you the truth. This good news will be told all over the world. Wherever it is told, people will also tell what she did, to remember her."

14Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

Then one of the twelve close followers went to the chief priests. His name was Judas Iscariot.

15And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

He asked, "What will you pay me if I hand him over to you?" They agreed to give him thirty silver coins.

16And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

From that time on, Judas watched for a good chance to hand Jesus over.

17Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

It was the first day of the Feast of Bread Without Yeast. The disciples asked Jesus, "Where should we get the Passover meal ready for you?"

18And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

He said, "Go into the city to a certain man. Tell him the Teacher says, 'My time is near. I will eat the Passover meal at your house with my followers.'"

19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

The disciples did what Jesus told them. They got the Passover meal ready.

20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

When evening came, Jesus sat down to eat with the twelve.

21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

While they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth. One of you will hand me over."

22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

They were very sad. One after another they asked him, "Lord, is it me?"

23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

He answered, "The one who dips his hand in the bowl with me will hand me over."

24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

"The Son of Man will go just as God's writings said he would. But it will be terrible for the man who hands him over. It would be better for that man if he had never been born."

25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

Then Judas, the one who would hand him over, said, "Teacher, is it me?" Jesus said, "You have said it yourself."

26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

While they ate, Jesus took bread and thanked God for it. He broke it and gave it to his followers. He said, "Take it and eat. This is my body."

27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

Then he took the cup of wine and thanked God. He gave it to them and said, "All of you drink from it."

28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

"This is my blood, and it begins God's new promise. It is poured out for many people, so their sins can be forgiven."

29But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

"I tell you, I will not drink this wine again for now. I will drink it new with you someday in my Father's kingdom."

30And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

They sang a song together. Then they went out to the Mount of Olives, a hill near the city.

36Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane. He said, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

37And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. He began to feel very sad and troubled.

38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

He said to them, "My heart is so sad that I feel like I could die. Stay here and stay awake with me."

39And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

He walked a little farther. He lay face down and prayed, "My Father, if it can be done, take this cup of suffering away from me. But do what you want, not what I want."

40And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

He came back and found his followers asleep. He said to Peter, "Could you not stay awake with me for one hour?"

41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

"Stay awake and pray, so you are not pulled into doing wrong. Your heart wants to do right, but your body is weak."

42He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

He went away a second time and prayed. He said, "My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away, and I must drink it, then let what you want happen."

43And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

He came back and found them asleep again. Their eyes were very heavy.

44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

So he left them and went away again. He prayed a third time and said the same words.

45Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Then he came to his followers. He said, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the time has come. The Son of Man is handed over to sinful men."

46Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

"Get up. Let's go. Look, here comes the man who is handing me over."

47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

While he was still talking, Judas came. A big crowd came with him, carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests and the leaders of the people had sent them.

48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

Judas had given the crowd a signal. He said, "The man I kiss is the one. Grab him and hold him."

49And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

He went straight to Jesus and said, "Hello, Teacher." Then he kissed him.

50And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Jesus said, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then the men came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

51And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.

One of the men with Jesus reached out and pulled his sword. He struck the high priest's servant and cut off his ear.

52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back where it belongs. Everyone who takes up a sword will die by a sword."

53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

"Don't you know I could ask my Father for help? He would send me more than twelve armies of angels right away."

54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

"But then how would God's writings come true? They say this must happen."

55In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

Then Jesus said to the crowd, "Did you bring swords and clubs, as if I were a robber? Every day I sat teaching in the temple, and you did not arrest me."

56But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

"All this happened so the words of the prophets would come true." Prophets were people who told what God said. Then all his followers ran away and left him.

57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

The men who arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest. The teachers of the law and the leaders were meeting there.

58But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

Peter followed far behind, all the way to the high priest's yard. He went in and sat with the guards to see what would happen.

59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

The chief priests and the whole council looked for people to tell lies about Jesus. They wanted a reason to put him to death.

60But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

But they did not find any. Many people came and told lies, but it was not enough. At last two men came forward.

61And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

They said, "This man said, 'I am able to tear down God's temple and build it again in three days.'"

62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

The high priest stood up. He said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What about what these men say about you?"

63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

But Jesus stayed quiet. The high priest said, "I put you under oath before the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ, the king God promised to send, the Son of God."

64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Jesus said, "You have said it yourself. But I tell you all, from now on you will see the Son of Man. He will sit at the right side of God, the place of power. He will come on the clouds of the sky."

65Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

Then the high priest tore his own clothes. He said, "He has said an insulting thing about God! We do not need more witnesses. You just heard him."

66What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

He asked, "What do you think?" They answered, "He should be put to death."

67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

Then they spit in his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped him.

68Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

They said, "Tell us, Christ! Who was it that hit you?"

69Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

Peter was sitting outside in the yard. A servant girl came to him. She said, "You were with Jesus from Galilee too."

70But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

But he said it was not true, right in front of everyone. He said, "I do not know what you are talking about."

71And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

He went out to the gate. Another servant girl saw him. She said to the people there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."

72And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

Again he said it was not true. This time he swore it. He said, "I do not know the man!"

73And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

A little later, the people standing there came to Peter. They said, "You really are one of them. The way you talk shows it."

74Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Then Peter began to curse and swear. He said, "I do not know the man!" Right then a rooster crowed.

75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Peter remembered what Jesus had told him. Jesus had said, "Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know me." Peter went outside and cried hard.

11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

Jesus stood in front of the governor. Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You have said so."

12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

The chief priests and leaders said he had done many wrong things. Jesus did not answer them at all.

13Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear all the things they say against you?"

14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Jesus did not answer even one of their charges. This surprised the governor very much.

15Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

At that feast the governor always set one prisoner free. The crowd chose which prisoner it would be.

16And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

At that time they were holding a well-known prisoner named Barabbas.

17Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

The crowd gathered. Pilate asked them, "Which one should I set free? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" Christ means God's chosen one.

18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Pilate knew why they had handed Jesus over to him. They were jealous of him.

19When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

Pilate was sitting in the judge's seat. His wife sent him a message. It said, "Do not do anything to that good man. I had a bad dream about him today, and it upset me."

20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

But the chief priests and leaders talked the crowd into it. The crowd should ask for Barabbas and have Jesus killed.

21The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

The governor asked them, "Which of the two should I set free?" They said, "Barabbas."

22Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

Pilate said, "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Nail him to a cross!"

23And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

The governor said, "Why? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted even louder, "Nail him to a cross!"

24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, and a riot was starting. So he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. He said, "I am not guilty of this good man's death. It is your doing."

25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

All the people answered, "Let the blame be on us and on our children."

26Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

So Pilate set Barabbas free. He had Jesus whipped. Then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross.

27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

The governor's soldiers took Jesus into the palace yard. They called the whole group of soldiers to come around him.

28And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

They took off his clothes. They put a red robe on him.

29And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

They twisted thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand. They knelt down and made fun of him. They said, "Hello, King of the Jews!"

30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

They spit on him. They took the stick and hit him on the head.

31And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

When they were done making fun of him, they took the robe off. They put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to nail him to a cross.

32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

On the way out they found a man named Simon. He was from a place called Cyrene. They made him carry the cross for Jesus.

33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

They came to a place called Golgotha. That name means "the place of a skull."

34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

There they gave Jesus sour wine mixed with something bitter. He tasted it but would not drink it.

35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

They nailed him to the cross. Then they split up his clothes among them. They threw lots, like rolling dice, to see who got what. This made true what a prophet had written: "They divided my clothes among them. They threw lots for my coat."

36And sitting down they watched him there;

Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.

37And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Above his head they put up a sign. It told what he was charged with. It said: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Two robbers were nailed to crosses beside him. One was on his right and one on his left.

39And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

People walked by and shouted mean things at him. They shook their heads at him.

40And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

They said, "You said you would tear down the temple and build it in three days. Save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

41Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

The chief priests made fun of him too. So did the teachers of the law and the leaders. They said,

42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

"He saved other people, but he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now. Then we will believe him.

43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

He trusted God. Let God save him now, if God wants him. He said, 'I am the Son of God.'"

44The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

The robbers on the crosses beside him said mean things to him too.