CHAPTER 24

After Jesus finished praying, he walked with his apostles across the Kidron Valley to a field of olive trees called Gethsemane.

When they arrived at Gethsemane, Jesus said to his apostles, “Sit here while I go to pray. I pray that you will not experience temptation.” Then Jesus took Peter, James, and John along with him. He became deeply grieved and troubled. Jesus said to them, “My heart is overcome with sorrow to the point of death. I feel as if I am going to die. Stay here and keep watch and stay awake with me.”

Jesus slowly walked a short distance from them. He dropped to his knees and then fell with his face to the ground. Jesus prayed: “Abba my Father, everything is possible for you. If it is your will take this time of suffering from me. But not my will, but your will be done. I want to do your will! Then an angel from heaven appeared to Jesus and gave him strength. Experiencing deep agony, Jesus prayed with greater energy, so his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Then Jesus stood up from praying, walked back to Peter, James, and John and found them sleeping, because they were tired from sorrow. Jesus asked them, “Why are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake and keep watch for one hour? Get up, watch, and pray so that you will not fall into temptation, for the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Jesus went away and prayed a second time. He prayed the same words that he prayed the first time. When he went back Peter, James, and John, he found them sleeping again because they were tired. They did not know what to say to Jesus.

Jesus went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same words as he prayed before. Then Jesus went back to them and said, “Are you still sleeping? Enough! The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let’s go! Here comes my betrayer!”

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas Iscariot arrived leading a large crowd of soldiers. The soldiers were sent by the Jewish religious leaders. They were carrying lanterns and torches, and armed with clubs and swords. Judas knew where Gethsemane was because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. Judas told the soldiers this signal: “The one I kiss on the cheeks is Jesus. Grab him, arrest him, and then lead him away under your guard.” Going immediately to Jesus, Judas said, “Teacher!” and kissed him on the cheeks. Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? My friend, do what you came to do.”

Jesus knew what was going to happen to him. He asked those who were about to arrest him, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said, “I AM!” They stepped back and fell to the ground. Jesus asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said, “I told you that I am the one you are looking for; let my disciples go.” This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost any of those you gave me.”

When the apostles of Jesus saw that he was being arrested, they became alarmed and shouted, “Lord! Should we attack them with our swords?” Standing nearby, Peter took out his sword and sliced off the right ear of a servant of the high priest. But Jesus shouted, “Stop! Put your sword away! I must drink the cup of suffering that the Father has given me. All who fight with the sword will die by the sword. You know I could call on my Father, and he would immediately send me armies of angels. But if I did, how then would God’s word be fulfilled that says it must all happen this way?”

Then Jesus touched the ear of the servant and healed him.

At that time Jesus said to those who had come to arrest him, “Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with swords and clubs to arrest me? I taught every day in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But now the Bible must be fulfilled! This is your time—a time when the authority of darkness has come.” All this happened so the words of the Old Testament prophets would come true.

Then the group of hardened soldiers with their military commander stepped forward, grabbed Jesus, and arrested him.

As Jesus was being arrested, all the apostles ran away and deserted Jesus.