March 29, 2026

1When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. 3And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.” 4This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: 5“Say to daughter Zion, ‘Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” 6The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them. 7They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them. 8The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. 9The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.” 10And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?” 11And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.” The Cleansing of the Temple.

4The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to answer the weary a word that will waken them. Morning after morning he wakens my ear to hear as disciples do; 5The Lord GOD opened my ear; I did not refuse, did not turn away. 6I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who tore out my beard; My face I did not hide from insults and spitting. 7The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; Therefore I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

8All who see me mock me; they curl their lips and jeer; they shake their heads at me: 9“He relied on the LORD—let him deliver him; if he loves him, let him rescue him.” 17Dogs surround me; a pack of evildoers closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and my feet 18I can count all my bones. They stare at me and gloat; 19they divide my garments among them; for my clothing they cast lots. 20But you, LORD, do not stay far off; my strength, come quickly to help me. 23III - Then I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the assembly I will praise you: 24“You who fear the LORD, give praise! All descendants of Jacob, give honor; show reverence, all descendants of Israel!

6Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. 7Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, 8he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 9Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Obedience and Service in the World.

8he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 9Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

14The Betrayal by Judas. Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, 16and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. 17Preparations for the Passover. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”’” 19The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. 20The Betrayer. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. 21And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” 23He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. 24The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” 25Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.” 26The Lord’s Supper. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” 30Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31Peter’s Denial Foretold. Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed’; 32but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” 33Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” 34Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise. 36The Agony in the Garden. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. 38Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” 39He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” 40When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? 41Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” 43Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. 44He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. 45Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. 46Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.” 47The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus. While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.” 49Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him. 50Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 51And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear. 52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? 54But then how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?” 55At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me. 56But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. Jesus Before the Sanhedrin. 57Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome. 59The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, 60but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61who stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.’” 62The high priest rose and addressed him, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” 63But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64Jesus said to him in reply, “You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’” 65Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; 66what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!” 67Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him, 68saying, “Prophesy for us, Messiah: who is it that struck you?” 69Peter’s Denial of Jesus. Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” 71As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” 72Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” 73A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” 74At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. 75Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly. 1When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. 3The Death of Judas. Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? Look to it yourself.” 5Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself. 6The chief priests gathered up the money, but said, “It is not lawful to deposit this in the temple treasury, for it is the price of blood.” 7After consultation, they used it to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8That is why that field even today is called the Field of Blood. 9Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of a man with a price on his head, a price set by some of the Israelites, 10and they paid it out for the potter’s field just as the Lord had commanded me.” 11Jesus Questioned by Pilate. Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. 13Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” 14But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed. 15The Sentence of Death. Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. 16And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called [Jesus] Barabbas. 17So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you, [Jesus] Barabbas, or Jesus called Messiah?” 18For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over. 19While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him.” 20The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. 21The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!” 22Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Messiah?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23But he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Let him be crucified!” 24When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.” 25And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” 26Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified. 27Mockery by the Soldiers. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. 28They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. 29Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. 31And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him. The Way of the Cross. 32As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross. 33The Crucifixion. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull), 34they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. 35After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; 36then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. 38Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. 39Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, [and] come down from the cross!” 41Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, 42“He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way. 45The Death of Jesus. From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” 48Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. 49But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. 51And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, 52tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” 55There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. The Burial of Jesus. 57When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. 58He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. 59Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen 60and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. 61But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb. The Guard at the Tomb. 62The next day, the one following the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63and said, “Sir, we remember that this impostor while still alive said, ‘After three days I will be raised up.’ 64Give orders, then, that the grave be secured until the third day, lest his disciples come and steal him and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ This last imposture would be worse than the first.” 65Pilate said to them, “The guard is yours; go secure it as best you can.” 66So they went and secured the tomb by fixing a seal to the stone and setting the guard.

11Jesus Questioned by Pilate. Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. 13Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” 14But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed. 15The Sentence of Death. Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. 16And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called [Jesus] Barabbas. 17So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you, [Jesus] Barabbas, or Jesus called Messiah?” 18For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over. 19While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him.” 20The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. 21The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!” 22Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Messiah?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23But he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Let him be crucified!” 24When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.” 25And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” 26Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified. 27Mockery by the Soldiers. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. 28They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. 29Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. 31And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him. The Way of the Cross. 32As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross. 33The Crucifixion. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull), 34they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. 35After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; 36then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. 38Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. 39Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, [and] come down from the cross!” 41Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, 42“He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way. 45The Death of Jesus. From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” 48Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. 49But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. 51And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, 52tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”