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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.
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That's when Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot. He was one of the Twelve.
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Leaving the others, he conferred with the high priests and the Temple guards about how he might betray Jesus to them.
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They couldn't believe their good luck and agreed to pay him well.
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He gave them his word and started looking for a way to betray Jesus, but out of sight of the crowd.
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The Day of Unleavened Bread came, the day the Passover lamb was butchered.
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Jesus sent Peter and John off, saying, "Go prepare the Passover for us so we can eat it together."
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They said, "Where do you want us to do this?"
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He said, "Keep your eyes open as you enter the city. A man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him home.
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Then speak with the owner of the house: The Teacher wants to know, 'Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?'
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He will show you a spacious second-story room, swept and ready. Prepare the meal there."
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They left, found everything just as he told them, and prepared the Passover meal.
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When it was time, he sat down, all the apostles with him,
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and said, "You've no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering.
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It's the last one I'll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God."
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Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, "Take this and pass it among you.
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As for me, I'll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives."
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Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory."
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He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.
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"Do you realize that the hand of the one who is betraying me is at this moment on this table?
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It's true that the Son of Man is going down a path already marked out - no surprises there. But for the one who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man, this is doomsday."
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They immediately became suspicious of each other and began quizzing one another, wondering who might be about to do this.
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Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest.
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But Jesus intervened: "Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles.