Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 It was now two days before the feast of the Pesach and the matzah, and the chief Kohanim and the Sofrim sought how they might sieze him by deception, and kill him.
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In only two days the eight-day Festival of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread would begin. The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way they could seize Jesus by stealth and kill him.
2 For they said, "Not during the feast, because there might be a riot of the people."
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They agreed that it should not be done during Passover Week. "We don't want the crowds up in arms," they said.
3 While he was at Beit-Anyah, in the house of Shim`on the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard -- very costly. She broke the jar, and poured it over his head.
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Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper. While he was eating dinner, a woman came up carrying a bottle of very expensive perfume. Opening the bottle, she poured it on his head.
4 But there were some who had indignation among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted?
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Some of the guests became furious among themselves. "That's criminal! A sheer waste!
5 For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." They grumbled against her.
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This perfume could have been sold for well over a year's wages and handed out to the poor." They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her.
6 But Yeshua said, "Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.
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But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why are you giving her a hard time? She has just done something wonderfully significant for me.
7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me.
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You will have the poor with you every day for the rest of your lives. Whenever you feel like it, you can do something for them. Not so with me.
8 She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
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She did what she could when she could - she pre-anointed my body for burial.
9 Most assuredly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that also which this woman has done will be spoken of for a memorial of her."
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And you can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she just did is going to be talked about admiringly."
10 Yehudah from K'riot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief Kohanim, that he might deliver him to them.
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Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the cabal of high priests, determined to betray him.
11 They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.
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They couldn't believe their ears, and promised to pay him well. He started looking for just the right moment to hand him over.
12 On the first day of matzah, when they sacrificed the Pesach, his talmidim asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make ready that you may eat the Pesach?"
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On the first of the Days of Unleavened Bread, the day they prepare the Passover sacrifice, his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations so you can eat the Passover meal?"
13 He sent two of his talmidim, and said to them, "Go into the city, and there you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him,
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He directed two of his disciples, "Go into the city. A man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him.
14 and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Pesach with my talmidim?"'
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Ask the owner of whichever house he enters, 'The Teacher wants to know, Where is my guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?'
15 He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make ready for us there."
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He will show you a spacious second-story room, swept and ready. Prepare for us there."
16 His talmidim went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Pesach.
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The disciples left, came to the city, found everything just as he had told them, and prepared the Passover meal.
17 When it was evening he came with the twelve.
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After sunset he came with the Twelve.
18 As they sat and were eating, Yeshua said, "Most assuredly I tell you, one of you will betray me -- he who eats with me."
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As they were at the supper table eating, Jesus said, "I have something hard but important to say to you: One of you is going to hand me over to the conspirators, one who at this moment is eating with me."
19 They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, "Surely not I?" And another said, "Surely not I?"
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Stunned, they started asking, one after another, "It isn't me, is it?"
20 He answered them, "It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish.
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He said, "It's one of the Twelve, one who eats with me out of the same bowl.
21 For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born."
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In one sense, it turns out that the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures - no surprises here. In another sense, the man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man - better never to have been born than do this!" "This Is My Body"
22 As they were eating, Yeshua took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, "Take, eat. This is my body."
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In the course of their meal, having taken and blessed the bread, he broke it and gave it to them. Then he said, Take, this is my body.
23 He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it.
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Taking the chalice, he gave it to them, thanking God, and they all drank from it.
24 He said to them, "This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.
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He said, This is my blood, God's new covenant, Poured out for many people.
25 Most assuredly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."
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"I'll not be drinking wine again until the new day when I drink it in the kingdom of God."
26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
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They sang a hymn and then went directly to Mount Olives.
27 Yeshua said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'
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Jesus told them, "You're all going to feel that your world is falling apart and that it's my fault. There's a Scripture that says, I will strike the shepherd; The sheep will go helter-skelter.
28 However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into the Galil."
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"But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee."
29 But Kefa said to him, "Although all will be offended, yet I will not."
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Peter blurted out, "Even if everyone else is ashamed of you when things fall to pieces, I won't be."
30 Yeshua said to him, "Most assuredly I tell you, that you today, even this night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times."
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Jesus said, "Don't be so sure. Today, this very night in fact, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times."
31 But he spoke all the more, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." Likewise, they all said so.
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He blustered in protest, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you." All the others said the same thing.
32 They came to a place which was named Gat-Shemanim. He said to his talmidim, "Sit here, while I pray."
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They came to an area called Gethsemane. Jesus told his disciples, "Sit here while I pray."
33 He took with him Kefa, Ya`akov, and Yochanan, and began to be greatly alarmed and distressed.
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He took Peter, James, and John with him. He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony.
34 He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch."
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He told them, "I feel bad enough right now to die. Stay here and keep vigil with me."
35 He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him.
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Going a little ahead, he fell to the ground and prayed for a way out:
36 He said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not what I desire, but what you desire."
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"Papa, Father, you can - can't you? - get me out of this. Take this cup away from me. But please, not what I want - what do you want?"
37 He came and found them sleeping, and said to Kefa, "Shim`on, are you sleeping? Couldn't you watch one hour?
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He came back and found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, you went to sleep on me? Can't you stick it out with me a single hour?
38 Watch and pray, that you not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
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Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."
39 Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words.
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He then went back and prayed the same prayer.
40 Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn't know what to answer him.
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Returning, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn't keep their eyes open, and they didn't have a plausible excuse.
41 He came the third time, and said to them, "Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
41
He came back a third time and said, "Are you going to sleep all night? No - you've slept long enough. Time's up. The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42 Arise, let us be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."
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Get up. Let's get going. My betrayer has arrived."
43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Yehudah, one of the twelve, came -- and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief Kohanim, the Sofrim, and the Zakenim.
43
No sooner were the words out of his mouth when Judas, the one out of the Twelve, showed up, and with him a gang of ruffians, sent by the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders, brandishing swords and clubs.
44 Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, "Whoever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely."
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The betrayer had worked out a signal with them: "The one I kiss, that's the one - seize him. Make sure he doesn't get away."
45 When he had come, immediately he came to him, and said, "Rabbi! Rabbi!" and kissed him.
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He went straight to Jesus and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him.
46 They laid their hands on him, and seized him.
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The others then grabbed him and roughed him up.
47 But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the Kohen Gadol, and cut off his ear.
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One of the men standing there unsheathed his sword, swung, and came down on the Chief Priest's servant, lopping off the man's ear.
48 Yeshua answered them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me?
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Jesus said to them, "What is this, coming after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal?
49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn't arrest me. But this is so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled."
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Day after day I've been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. What you in fact have done is confirm the prophetic writings."
50 They all left him, and fled.
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All the disciples cut and ran.
51 A certain young man followed with him, having a linen cloth thrown around him, over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,
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A young man was following along. All he had on was a bedsheet. Some of the men grabbed him
52 but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
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but he got away, running off naked, leaving them holding the sheet.
53 They led Yeshua away to the Kohen Gadol. All the chief Kohanim, the Zakenim, and the Sofrim came together with him.
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They led Jesus to the Chief Priest, where the high priests, religious leaders, and scholars had gathered together.
54 Kefa had followed him afar off, until he came into the court of the Kohen Gadol. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.
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Peter followed at a safe distance until they got to the Chief Priest's courtyard, where he mingled with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
55 Now the chief Kohanim and the whole council sought witnesses against Yeshua to put him to death, and found none.
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The high priests conspiring with the Jewish Council looked high and low for evidence against Jesus by which they could sentence him to death. They found nothing.
56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn't agree with each other.
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Plenty of people were willing to bring in false charges, but nothing added up, and they ended up canceling each other out.
57 Some stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying,
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Then a few of them stood up and lied:
58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'"
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"We heard him say, 'I am going to tear down this Temple, built by hard labor, and in three days build another without lifting a hand.'"
59 Even so, their testimony did not agree.
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But even they couldn't agree exactly.
60 The Kohen Gadol stood up in the midst, and asked Yeshua, "Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?"
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In the middle of this, the Chief Priest stood up and asked Jesus, "What do you have to say to the accusation?"
61 But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the Kohen Gadol asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?"
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Jesus was silent. He said nothing. The Chief Priest tried again, this time asking, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?"
62 Yeshua said, "I AM. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky."
62
Jesus said, "Yes, I am, and you'll see it yourself: The Son of Man seated At the right hand of the Mighty One, Arriving on the clouds of heaven."
63 The Kohen Gadol tore his clothes, and said, "What further need have we of witnesses?
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The Chief Priest lost his temper. Ripping his clothes, he yelled, "Did you hear that? After that do we need witnesses?
64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" They all condemned him to be worthy of death.
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You heard the blasphemy. Are you going to stand for it?" They condemned him, one and all. The sentence: death.
65 Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, "Prophesy!" The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
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Some of them started spitting at him. They blindfolded his eyes, then hit him, saying, "Who hit you? Prophesy!" The guards, punching and slapping, took him away.
66 As Kefa was beneath in the court, one of the maids of the Kohen Gadol came,
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While all this was going on, Peter was down in the courtyard. One of the Chief Priest's servant girls came in
67 and seeing Kefa warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You were also with the Natzri, Yeshua!"
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and, seeing Peter warming himself there, looked hard at him and said, "You were with the Nazarene, Jesus."
68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know, nor understand what you are saying." He went out into the porch, and the cock crowed.
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He denied it: "I don't know what you're talking about." He went out on the porch. A rooster crowed.
69 The maid saw him, and began again to tell those who stood by, "This is one of them."
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The girl spotted him and began telling the people standing around, "He's one of them."
70 But he again denied it. After a little while again those who stood by said to Kefa, "You truly are one of them, for you are from the Galil, and your speech shows it."
70
He denied it again. After a little while, the bystanders brought it up again. "You've got to be one of them. You've got 'Galilean' written all over you."
71 But he began to curse, and to swear, "I don't know this man of whom you speak!"
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Now Peter got really nervous and swore, "I never laid eyes on this man you're talking about."
72 The cock crowed the second time. Kefa remembered the word, how that Yeshua said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." When he thought about that, he wept.
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Just then the rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered how Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows twice, you'll deny me three times." He collapsed in tears.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
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.