Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve
disciples, went to the high priests with the intention of betraying
Jesus. And when they heard, they rejoiced, promising to give him
money; and he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Jews
kill the lambs that are sacrificed at the Passover Feast, Jesus'
disciples said to him, "Where do you wish us to make ready for your
passover meal?"
So Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go into the
city, where you will meet a man carrying a jar of water. Follow him
and say to the owner of whatever house he enters, 'The Master says,
Where is my room in which I may eat the passover meal with my
disciples?' He will show you a large upper room already furnished.
There make ready for us." So the disciples went into the city and
found things as he had said they would; and they prepared for the
Passover.
When it was evening Jesus came with his twelve disciples; and while
they were eating at the table, he said, "I know surely that one of
you now eating with me will betray me." In deep sorrow the disciples
said to him, one after the other, "Surely it is not I?" He said to
them, "It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping his fingers into
the dish with me. The Son of Man will depart as it has been foretold
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!"
Then Jesus took the bread and, when he had given thanks to God, he
broke it and said, "This is my body which is broken for you; do this
in remembrance of me."
In the same way, after he had eaten, Jesus took the cup, and when he
had given thanks to God, he gave it to his disciples and they drank
of it. Then he said, "This is the new covenant made by my blood
which is shed for many. As often as you drink this cup, do it in
remembrance of me." Then after singing a hymn they went out to the
Mount of Olives.
There Jesus said to them, "You will all desert me, for it is written
in the scriptures: 'I will smite the shepherd and the sheep will be
scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go before you into
Galilee." Peter said to him, "Though all others should desert you, I
will not." Jesus said to him, "Indeed I tell you, this very night
before the cock crows you will deny three times that you know me."
But Peter said more emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I
will never deny you." And all of them said the same.