1
The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, drew near.
2
The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way to do away with Jesus but, fearful of the people, they were also looking for a way to cover their tracks.
3
That's when Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot. He was one of the Twelve.
4
Leaving the others, he conferred with the high priests and the Temple guards about how he might betray Jesus to them.
5
They couldn't believe their good luck and agreed to pay him well.
6
He gave them his word and started looking for a way to betray Jesus, but out of sight of the crowd.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.