Mark 14:32-72

Jesus and his disciples went to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him. He began to be very upset and troubled. “My soul is very sad. I feel close to death,” he said to them. “Stay here. Keep watch.” He went a little farther. Then he fell to the ground. He prayed that, if possible, the hour might pass by him. “ Abba , Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want.” Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray. Then you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Once more Jesus went away and prayed the same thing. Then he came back. Again he found them sleeping. They couldn’t keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to him. Jesus returned the third time. He said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look! The Son of Man is about to be handed over to sinners. Get up! Let us go! Here comes the one who is handing me over to them!” Just as Jesus was speaking, Judas appeared. He was one of the 12 disciples. A crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders had sent them. Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, had arranged a signal with them. “The one I kiss is the man,” he said. “Arrest him and have the guards lead him away.” So Judas went to Jesus at once. Judas said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed Jesus. The men grabbed Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing nearby pulled his sword out. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. “Am I leading a band of armed men against you?” asked Jesus. “Do you have to come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you. I taught in the temple courtyard, and you didn’t arrest me. But the Scriptures must come true.” Then everyone left him and ran away. A young man was following Jesus. The man was wearing nothing but a piece of linen cloth. When the crowd grabbed him, he ran away naked. He left his clothing behind. The crowd took Jesus to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the teachers of the law came together. Not too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards. He warmed himself at the fire. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. But they did not find any proof. Many witnesses lied about him. But their stories did not agree. Then some of them stood up. Here is what those false witnesses said about him. “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made by human hands. In three days I will build another temple, not made by human hands.’ ” But what they said did not agree. Then the high priest stood up in front of them. He asked Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer? What are these charges these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent. He gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah? Are you the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard him say a very evil thing against God. What do you think?” They all found him guilty and said he must die. Then some began to spit at him. They blindfolded him. They hit him with their fists. They said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him. Peter was below in the courtyard. One of the high priest’s female servants came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with Jesus, that Nazarene,” she said. But Peter said he had not been with him. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said. He went out to the entrance to the courtyard. The servant saw him there. She said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he said he was not. After a little while, those standing nearby said to Peter, “You must be one of them. You are from Galilee.” Then Peter began to curse. He said to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” Right away the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had spoken to him. “The rooster will crow twice,” he had said. “Before it does, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Peter broke down and cried.