Late in the day, when the time had come to leave the temple, Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, and as he looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. He saw a certain poor widow putting two lepta there, and said, "Truly, I tell you that this poor widow put in more than everyone, for everyone put into the gifts out of their abundance, but this woman, in her poverty, had put in all she had to live on."

One of his disciples said, "Teacher, behold, what great stones and what great buildings."

"Do you see these great buildings," he said, "in no way will stone be left upon stone which will not be thrown down."

In the evenings, Jesus would go forth and lodge on the mountain called "Olives," a few-minutes walk from the Temple. As he sat on the Mount of Olives this night, the disciples approached him privately, asking, "Tell us, when will these things about the Temple stones be, and what is the sign of your appearance and of the end of the age?"

"See that no one causes you to err. For many will come in my name saying, "I am the Christ," and they will cause many to err. But you are about to hear of wars and rumors of wars (i.e. the Romans); see that you are not troubled; for it is required to happen, but the end is not yet. For in the end nation will be raised against nation, and there will be pestilences, famines and earthquakes throughout places, terrors and great signs in the heavens; but these things are merely the beginning of birth-pangs. But before all these things, they will soon lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to synagogues and prisons, being then led away to kings and governors for the sake of my name. This will turn out as a testimony for you to give. Therefore, do not decide to practice your defense in your hearts beforehand, for I will give you a mouth of wisdom, which your opponents will not be able to withstand or contradict. Speak whatever is given you in that hour, for you will not be speaking, but rather the Holy Spirit.

Then in the end you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Many will then be offended and will deliver one another for hating one another. A brother will deliver a brother to death, a father a child, and children will rise against parents and will put them to death. Many false prophets will be raised to cause many to err. But the one who endures to the end, this one will be saved. Not a hair of your head will by any means perish; in your endurance you will gain your souls. This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the inhabited earth for a testimony to all the rebellious nations, and then the end of the age will come.

"When, therefore, you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken through the prophet Daniel [in 11:31], standing in the holy site, let the reader understand; when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those in the districts not enter into Judea. Let not the one on the housetop come down to take things out of his house, nor let the one in the field turn back to retrieve his coat, because these are days of vengeance, fulfilling all the things written in the Bible. Remember Lot's wife; whoever seeks to preserve his earthly life, he will lose it, but whoever will lose it will preserve it. Woe to the women having fruit in the womb and to those giving suck in those days. Pray that your flight will not occur in winter, nor on a sabbath; for then there will be great tribulation on the land [for 42 months], and wrath against this people Israel, such that has not come to pass up to now, from the beginning of the world, nor will it by any means happen again. And Israel will fall by the mouth of the sword and will be led captive to all nations, until the [42-month] times of the nations are accomplished (i.e. at Armageddon). Unless the Lord shortened those days (at Armageddon), no flesh could be saved, but on account of the elect children whom God chose, those days will be cut short.

"Days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but will not see one. They will say to you, 'Behold there!' or 'Behold, here!' Do not believe it. For many false Christs and many false prophets will be raised, who will give great miraculous signs and wonders, so as to cause even the elect to err, if possible. Behold, I have told you beforehand. If, therefore, they say to you, 'Behold, he's in the desert,' do not go forth; if they say, 'Behold, he's in the private rooms,' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes forth from the east and shines to the west, so also will the appearance of the Son of man be from the sky. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, there will be anxiety amongst nations in perplexity, at the sound of the sea and surf, with men fainting from fear and anticipation for the things coming upon the inhabited earth. Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened so that the moon will not give her light either, and the stars will fall from the sky (to the horizon), and the powers of the skies will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. All the tribes of the land will then bewail as they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a great trumpet, and they will assemble his elect out of the four winds of the air, from the extremities of the skies unto their extremities.

"When these things begin to take place, stand erect and lift up your heads in faith, because your redemption draws near. Learn this parable of the fig tree: "When its branch becomes tender and it puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things, know that it (the appearance) is near, at the doors; truly, I tell you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things take place. The sky and earth will pass away, but my words may not by any means pass away. So you see, I have told you before all things happen.

"Concerning that day and hour [of the post-tribulation coming above (Matthew 24:30)], no one knows--not even the angels--but only the Father. For as in the days of Noah, so also will the appearance of the Son of Man be (without warning to those who perish). For as they who perished were eating and drinking in those days before the flood--marrying and being given into marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark, thus not knowing about the flood until the flood came and took everyone away, so also will the appearance of the Son of Man be." Of course, Jesus is warning his followers in all these words, and giving them many signs, so that they might not be caught off guard as will be those destined to perish, meaning also that the Appearance must come after the signs and not before. For the very purpose of the signs given here is to tip them off as to the near-time. Therefore, not all will be caught off guard by his appearance, but only those who do not watch for the signs.

"It was the same in the days of Lot--they were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building--but on the day which Lot went forth from Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from the sky and destroyed all.

Take heed to yourselves lest your hearts become burdened with headache, deep drinking, and the anxieties of life, so that the day comes suddenly upon you like a snare, for it will come in on all the ones which sit on the face of the earth. But you be watchful, begging at all times that you may be able to escape all these things which are about to happen, and to stand erect before the Son of Man.

"At that time, there will be two men in a field, one will be taken and one will be left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill, one will be taken and one will be left behind."

"Where, Lord," they asked him, being curious as to where those taken would go.

But Jesus wanted to emphasize those who stayed behind instead, and so said, "Where there's a body, there also will the eagles be gathered together.

"Watch, therefore, because you do not know when the Lord of the house will arrive, whether late in the evening, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or early in the morning; if he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. But know that if the homeowner knew in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be dug through. Therefore, you also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at a time when you do not think so" (for which reason it will not be in/near the year 2000, when many think so).

"Who, then, is the faithful and wise servant whom the Lord appointed over his Household, to give them [his Christians] food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom the Lord will find so doing when he returns. Truly, I tell you, that he will appoint him over all his goods. But if a wicked servant says in his heart, 'My Lord delays,' and begins to strike (i.e. betray) his fellow servants, and eating and drinking with those who are drunks, then the Lord of that servant will come on a day which he does not expect, and in an hour that he does not recognize, and will cut him to pieces. His portion will be with the hypocrites; there will be wailing and the gnashing of teeth."

Christians will indeed be working the fields and grinding their own flour, for the time will come when they will no longer be able to buy their own food in stores on account of the mark of the beast. When they are thus living in country lands providing their own means to survive, then it will be necessary for each to help feed the other. Jesus then gave a parable with a dire warning, that not all will be able to partake in the provisions of those days, and that we should, therefore, wisely prepare our own provisions before the 42-month time of trouble. These provisions he calls the "oil" of a lamp in that they lighten up the tribulation night and maintain our faith; "lamp" refers to the faith. Many will have faith, but not all will have what is needed to keep the faith alive/burning. Notice how the "oil" can be bought, borrowed and sold, and how it is absolutely essential for sustaining physical life beginning at "the middle" of the night:

"At that time the kingdom of Heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who, taking their lamps, went forth to a meeting of the (B)ridegroom. Now, five of them were foolish and five were wise. For the foolish ones, taking their lamps, did not take oil with them. But the wise ones took oil in jars along with their lamps. When the (B)ridegroom delayed, all ten became drowsy and then slept. But in the middle of the night [middle of the tribulation period], there was a cry: 'Behold, the (B)ridegroom is coming! Go forth to a meeting.' Then all the virgins were raised from their sleep (because of this sign), and they trimmed their lamps.

"Then the foolish ones said to the wise: 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are being extinguished.'

"But the wise responded by saying, 'In case it doesn't suffice for both us and for you, go, rather, to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

"But as they were going away to buy [while the mark of the beast was in force], the (B)ridgroom arrived, and the ready ones went in with him to the wedding festivities. And then the door was shut. Then, later, the virgins which remained behind came and said, 'Lord! Lord, open up for us!'

"But he said, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'

"Watch, therefore, because you do not know the day or hour.

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, with all his angels, then he will afterwards sit on a throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on his right, but the goats on his left. Then the king will say to the ones on his right: "Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I hungered, and you gave me to eat; I thirsted, and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you entertained me, naked and you clothed me; I ailed and you visited me; I was imprisoned and you came to me.'

"Then the righteous will respond, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we see you a stranger and entertain you, or naked and clothed you? And when did we see you ailing or in prison and come to you?'

"And answering, the king said to them, 'Truly, I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of these least brothers of mine, you did it to me.'

"Then he will also say to those on the left: 'Depart from me, cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I hungered and you did not give me to eat; I thirsted but you did not give me a drink; I was a stranger but you did not entertain me, naked but you did not clothe me, ill and in prison but you did not visit me.'

"Then they will also answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and did not minister to you?'

"Truly, I tell you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of these who are least, neither did you do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

When Jesus had finished saying all these words, he reminded his disciples, "You know that the Passover will be in two days, when the Son of Man is delivered to be crucified."

The chief priests and the elders of the people then assembled in the court of the high priest, Caiaphas. They agreed to seizing and killing Jesus with trickery. "But not at the feast," they said, "lest a uproar occurs among the people."

Satan then entered Judas, called Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve, and he went to the chief priests and the officers and discussed how he might betray Jesus: "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?" When they heard this, they rejoiced and promised him silver. He fully consented, so they weighed him 30 pieces of silver. Thus he looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them while he was separated from the crowd.

The next day, when the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread arrived, when it was necessary to kill the Passover lamb, Jesus sent two disciples, Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it."

"Where do you wish to go to eat the Passover, so that we might prepare it," they asked.

"Go into the city, and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, tell the homeowner, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near. Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' And he will show you a large upper room already spread out and prepared." The two disciples departed and came into the city and found things just as he told them. So they prepared the Passover dinner.

When evening arrived, he came here with the rest of the Twelve. Now, there was (yet) rivalry among them, concerning which of them appeared to be the greatest, no doubt rekindled by the fact that Peter and John were chosen by Jesus to prepare the Passover. In any case, Jesus wanted to make it clear that he was not about to set up his kingdom the following day. Therefore, when the time arrived, he sat back, and the apostles with him, and said, "With passion I have longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you that you will eat it no more whatsoever until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." And with these words he suggested that the geographical establishment of the kingdom was a long ways off.

While eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and blessing it, he broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat. This is my "body" being given for you; do this as a memorial." Again, because he directed them to do it as a "memorial," the implication was that he was not going to set up the kingdom the following day, but, rather, only after a considerable absence.

In the same way, after the supper, he took the cup, saying, "Take this and divide it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not in any way drink the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes (geographically). This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, being shed for you."

Knowing that his hour had come to remove from this world to the Father, Jesus, loving his own in this world, loved them to the end. Knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he would go to God just as he came from God, he rose up from the supper and put aside his clothes. Taking a towel, he wrapped it round his waist. Then he put some water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, wiping them off with the towel with which he was wrapped. So, he comes to Simon Peter, who said to Jesus, "Lord, you're going to wash my feet?"

"You don't yet know what I am doing, but you will know after these things take place."

"Never will you wash my feet, unto eternity!" proclaimed the leader of the men, as an example to the rest as to how they should resist.

"Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

"Then not just my feet," said the rock in reconsideration, "but also my hands and my head."

"The one who has bathed has no need but to wash the feet, for he is fully clean, and you are all spiritually clean, though not all of you." For he knew the one who was betraying him, and this is why he said, "You are not all clean."

When he had washed their feet and taken his clothes, he sat down again and asked, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me the "Teacher" and "Lord," and well do you say so, for these are what I am. If, therefore, I, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you ought also to wash one another's feet. I gave you an example that you may also do as I have done. Truly, truly, I tell you that a servant is not greater than his lord, nor an apostle ("a sent one") greater than the one sending him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

"The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over people are called 'benfactors.' But not so with you. Rather, let the greater among you become like the younger, and the governor like the servant. For who is greater, the one sitting back, or the server? Is it not the one sitting back? However, I am in your midst as the server.

"You are those who have remained with me throughout my temptations, and so I appoint to you a kingdom as my Father has appointed to me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. I do not speak concerning all of you; I know whom I chose, but I say this that the scripture may be fulfilled:

"'The one eating my bread lifted his heel up against me.'

"I tell you from this point before it happens, that you might believe when it happens that I am he. Truly, truly, I tell you that the one receiving whomever I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives the One who sent me."

Upon saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, saying, "Behold. The hand of my betrayer is with me on the table. Truly, truly, I tell you that one of you eating with me will betray me."

The disciples looked at one another, perplexed as to which one he spoke of. Deeply grieved, they each began to ask, "It's not me is it, Lord?"

"It's one of the Twelve who dips his hand with me in the one dish; this man will betray me." And giving Judas a final warning, he continued, "Indeed, the Son of Man proceeds as it has been written concerning him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed; it would have been good for him if that man was not born."

One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved (i.e. John the author), had been relaxing in the bosom of Jesus. Simon Peter nods, therefore, to this one and says, "Ask him who he's talking about."

Falling back on the chest of Jesus, that one asked him, "Lord, who is it?"

"It's the one to whom I'll dip and give the morsel." Therefore, he took the morsel and gave it (went over?) to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. And after he took the morsel, Satan entered into that one.

"It's not me is it, Rabbi?" Judas whispered.

"You said it. What you are doing, do so quickly." But none of the others sitting back knew what Jesus had told him. Because Judas had the purse, some of them thought that Jesus told him, "Buy what we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. Having taken the morsel, that one went out immediately, and it was night.

Therefore, when he went out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him; if God is glorified in him, God will together glorify him in Him(self), and will glorify him immediately." But lest the apostles should think that this glorification meant the immediate setting up of the geographical Kingdom, he assured them that he must go away and be absent for a time: "Children, I am with you yet a little while; you will seek me, and as I said to the Jews that where I am going you can not come, I also say to you now. A new command I give you, that you love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among one another."

Simon Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?"

"Where I am going, you can not follow now, but you will follow later."

"Lord, why can't I follow you yet?"

"You will all be offended in me tonight, for it has been written:

"'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

"But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.

"Simon, Simon, Satan begged earnestly to sift you as wheat, but I requested concerning you, that your faith might not fail. When you have turned back to me, support your brothers.

"If all men will be offended in you, I will never be! I am prepared to go both to prison and to death with you." The others all said the same.

"You will lay down your life for me?? Truly, truly, I tell you, there's no way the cock will crow until you will deny knowing me three times."

To make them all understand the magnitude of the situation in which they now felt so valiant, he said to them, "When I sent you without a purse, wallet, or sandals, were you short of anything?"

"Nothing."

"But now, the one who has a purse, let him take it, likewise also a wallet, and the one who does not have one, let him sell his garment and buy a sword. For I tell you that what has been written must be fulfilled in me:

"'He was numbered with lawless men.'

"For, indeed, that which concerns me does indeed have a fulfillment."

They said, "Lord, behold, two swords!"

"That's enough," he said, for Jesus was not implying at all that they should fight with swords to protect him, or to set up his Kingdom. It's easy for us today to understand the entire situation, having the entire story before our eyes in writing, but for the apostles, prior to the Death and Resurrection, the situation was one of great speculation. They continued in the disillusion that Jesus would set up the Kingdom soon, and were even willing to fight with the sword if Jesus would just say the word, knowing that if he should say the word, they would win the battle decisively. So Jesus had to speak again in such a way as to inform them that he was going away for a certain period of time prior to setting up the Kingdom:

"Do not let your heart be troubled; trust in God, trust also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father's house. Otherwise, if not, I would have told you. For I am going to prepare a place for you, and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself, that where I am, you might also be. Where I am going, you know the way."

Thomas speaks up: "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

"I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him."

Philip made a wee minor request on behalf of everyone: "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."

"Have I been with you so long and you haven't known me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? I do not speak from myself the words which I say to you; the Father who remains in me does His works. Believe you me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or else, believe on account of the works themselves.

"Truly, truly, I tell you, the one believing in me will also do the works which I do, and greater than these he will do because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name (i.e. according to my mission), this in particular will I do--that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Comforter, that He may be with you for eternity--the Holy Spirit of Truth--which the world cannot accept because it neither sees nor knows it. You know it, however, because He remains with you and will be in you.

"I will not leave you as orphans, I am coming to you (i.e. through the Holy Spirit). In yet a little while, the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day, you will know that I am in my Father, with you in me and I in you. The one having my commandments and keeping them, that is the one who loves me, and the one who loves me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him."

Judas (not Iscariot) speaks up: "Lord, and what has happened that you are about to manifest yourself to us and not to the world?"

"If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him; We will come to him and make our home in(side) him. The one who does not love me does not keep my words; the teaching which you hear is not mine, but of the Father who sent me. These things I have spoken to you while I remain with you, but the Comforter--the Holy Spirit which the Father will send in my Name--that One will teach you all things and remind you of all things which I told you. Peace to you I leave. My peace I give you; I do not give you peace as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

"You heard that I told you, 'I will go and come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it happens, that when it happens you may believe. I will no longer speak many things to you, for the ruler of the world is coming. He has nothing with me, but I will let him have his way that the world may know that I love the Father, and that I do as He commanded me.

Having sung a hymn, he said, "Rise, let us go from here. Jesus headed out to the Mount of Olives according to the routine, with the disciples following him. We now know better, in looking forward to this very night, why it was that the Law of Moses required the Passover eve to be a sleepless vigil for all Israel. Jesus had planned to say much to his Eleven during this vigil, before leaving them to their own ministries. While on their way to Olives, he continued to lay the kingdom mission upon their shoulders:

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. He takes away every branch in me not bearing fruit, but He prunes each branch which bears fruit that it may bear more fruit. Now you are clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. So remain in me and I will remain in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one remaining in me and I in him bears much fruit, because apart from me you cannot do anything. Unless anyone remains in me, he will be like a branch that was thrown outside to be dried up, where people then gather them to toss into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall happen to you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so be disciples unto me. As my Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in His love.

"I have spoken these things so that my joy may be in you and that you may be filled with joy. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love but that someone should lay his life down for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, because the servant does not know his lord does; I have called you 'friends' because everything that I heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, to go and bear fruit so that your fruit should remain--so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.

"If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would have loved you as its own. Because you are not of the world, but because I chose you out of the world, the world, therefore, hates you. Remember the word which I spoke to you: 'The servant is not greater then his lord.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But they of the world will do things to you because of my name--because they do not know the One who sent me.

"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin. But now they do not have a cloak for their sin. The one who hates me also hates my Father. If I did not perform the works among them which no other man performed, they would not have had sin. But, now, they have both seen the works and have hated me and my Father together. But this is that the word may be fulfilled in their own Law, which was written:

"'They hated me freely.'

"When the Comforter comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father--the Spirit of Truth which proceeds from the Father--that One will testify concerning me. So you go and testify also, because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

"I have spoken these things that you may not be offended. They will make you outcasts from the synagogues, but the hour is coming when everyone who kills you thinks to offer God a service. They will do these things because they did not know the Father nor me. I have spoken these things so that when their hour comes, you may remember them, that I had told you. I did not say these things in the beginning, because I was with you. But I am now going to the One who sent me, and not one of you asks me, 'Where are you going'? Rather, because I have spoken these things to you, grief has filled your heart.

"I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I should go away. For if I don't go away, the Comforter will by no means come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you. Upon coming to you, this One will reprove the world concerning sin, concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment: concerning sin because they do not believe in me (for forgiveness of sin); concerning righteousness because I am going to the Father and no longer will you see me [others (i.e. the disciples) must spread righteousness when Jesus goes]; concerning judgment because the ruler of this world has been judged. I have yet many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now. But when that One comes--the Spirit of Truth--he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak by Himself, but will speak whatever He hears, and He will announce to you the things to come. This One will glorify me because He will receive what is mine and announce them to you. A little while longer and no longer will you see; a little while again, and you will see me."

Therefore, some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this he is speaking to us: 'A-little-while and you will not see me, and a-little-while again and you will see me,' and, 'Because I am going to the Father...'? What is this he is referring to: 'a-little-while'? We do not know what he is saying."

Jesus knew that they wanted to question him, and he said to them, "In this you seek one another's understanding, because I said, 'A-little-while and you won't see me, and a-little-while again and you will see me'? Truly, truly, I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice (at my death); you will be grieved, but your grief will turn to joy (when in a-little-while again you will see me). The woman has grief when she gives birth, because her hour has arrived, but after she brings forth the child, she no longer remembers the distress because of the joy for the birth of a man into the world. In the same way, you now have grief indeed, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. You will not question me a thing in that day. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you. Up until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, that you may be filled with your joy.

"I have spoken these things to you in allegories, but a time will come when I will no longer speak to you in allegories. Rather, I will plainly declare about the Father to you. In that day, you will ask in my name. I am not telling you that I will request the Father concerning you; the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have trusted in my coming forth from God. I came forth out of the Father and have come into the world; conversely, I will leave the world and go back to the Father."

Perhaps getting a little weary at all the words, especially after a large meal, the disciples spoke up with what appears to be an "alright already" statement: "Behold, you now speak plainly, and you no longer speak allegorically! We now know that you understand all things and that no one has any business to quiz you; by this we believe that you came forth from God."

But Jesus maybe knew they were now blowing some hot air, and so sounded the alarms:"You believe now? Behold, an hour is coming, and has now come, when you will be scattered each to his own, thus leaving me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have spoken these things that in me you may have peace. You will have tribulation in the world, but cheer up; I have overcome the world!" Jesus spoke these things and then stopped addressing the apostles directly, though he "prayed" in their presence so as to teach them (and us) yet further what they needed to know. And lifting up his eyes to Heaven, he said:

"Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify You. For You gave him authority over all flesh in order to give eternal life to all which You have given him. And this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and he whom You sent, Jesus Christ. I have glorified You on the earth; the work which You gave me to do is ending. Now, glorify me with yourself, Father, with the glory I had with You before the world came to be. I manifested Your Name to the men whom You gave me out of the world. They were yours and You gave them to me, and they have kept Your word. They have now known that all things, as many as You gave me, are from You. For the words which You gave to me I have given to them, which they received, knowing truly that I came forth from You and believing that You did send me.

"I make a request concerning them; I do not ask concerning the world, but concerning those whom You have given to me. For they are yours, and my things are all yours while your things are mine, and I have been glorified in them. I am no longer in the world; they are in the world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your Name which you have given me, that they may be one as we are. When I was with them, I kept them in Your Name which You gave me, and I guarded them, and not one of them perished spiritually except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But I now come to You, and I speak these things in the world that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, but the world hated them, for they are not of the world as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You should take them from the world, but that You should keep them out of evil. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.

"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I also send them into the world. On their behalf, I sanctify myself, that they may also be sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for the ones who believe in me through their word, that all may be one, as You, Father, are in me and I in You, that they may also be in us in order that the world may believe that You did send me. And I have given to them the glory which You gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and You in me, that they may be perfected in order for the world to know that You did send me, and loved them as You loved me.

"Father, in that You have given them to me, I also wish that those may be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which You have given to me because You loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, indeed the world did not know You, but I knew You, and these know that You did send me, and I have made Your Name known to them and will make it known, that the love with which You loved me may be in them, and that I be in them."

Having said these long but necessary words, Jesus crossed the Kidron valley to the edge of the Temple, where the garden of Gethsemane was, into which he entered with his disciples. Now Judas, the one betraying him, also knew the place, because Jesus often assembled there with his disciples. Therefore, Jesus waited here for his arrest, knowing that the dark hour was at hand, for which reason he said to them, "Sit here while I go away and pray; you pray that you will not fall into temptation."

He took Peter, James and John with him, and began to be greatly astonished with distress: "My soul is deeply grieved unto death; stay here and keep watch." He withdrew from them about a stone's throw. Placing knees down and falling on his face, he prayed: "Abba, my Father, all things are possible for You; if possible, let this cup pass from me...yet not as I will, but as You will."

Coming to the three disciples, he found them sleeping. He said to Peter: "So were you not able to watch one hour with me? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation; the spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak."

Again, going away the second time, he prayed: "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, let Your will be done." But upon coming back he found them sleepy-eyed again, for their eyes had been heavy, and they did not know what to say to him. Leaving them again, he went away and prayed a third time, saying the same word. He then came to the disciples and said, "Do you now sleep and rest? Behold, the hour has drawn near for the Son of Man to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let's get going, for look, my betrayer has closed in."

While he was yet speaking, behold, Judas, one of the Twelve arrived, and with him was a large group, from the chief priests and elders of the people, with lanterns, swords and clubs. Now, the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whoever I kiss is the one; seize him and lead him away securely." Going at once to Jesus, he mocked, "Hail, rabbi!" and kissed him affectionately.

"Friend, for what are you here, doing that? Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

Knowing everything that was about to come upon him, Jesus went up to them and asked, "Whom do you seek?"

"Jesus the Nazarene," they answered.

"I am he!" When he boldly proclaimed, "I am he," they retreated and fell on the ground," for they had heard about his miracles and knew he had extraordinary powers.

Jesus again asked them, "Whom do you seek?"

And they again said, "Jesus the Nazarene."

"I told you that I am he. So if you seek me, allow these others to go," answered Jesus, that the Word would be fulfilled which said:

"'I have not lost any one of them whom You have given me."

Then, in seizing him, they approached and laid hands on Jesus. "Lord, should we strike with sword?" asked those who surrounded him when they saw what was going to be. And Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear; the name of the servant was Malchus.

"Put your sword into its sheath! For all those who take up sword will die by the sword. Shall I not drink the cup at all which the Father has given me? No more of this! Or do you think that I cannot ask my Father, and He will provide me right now with more than twelve legions of angels? How, then, might the scriptures be fulfilled that say it must be this way?"

Approaching the injured man, he said, "Permit me until I do this," and touching the ear he cured him.

At that point Jesus addressed the bands, "Have you come forth to take me with swords and clubs as you would a robber? I sat daily in the Temple teaching, and you didn't seize me. But this has all come to pass that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled. This is your hour, for the authority of the darkness."

The band with the commander, and the men of the Jews, took Jesus and tied him. Then the disciples left him in flight. A certain young man who had accompanied him draped with linen over his nakedness, left the linen behind and fled naked when they seized him.

They led him first to the high priest Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was to be the high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was better if one man would die on behalf of the people. Simon Peter and another disciple [John] followed Jesus from a distance, up to the court of the high priest. The disciple that was known to the high priest entered with Jesus into the high priest's court, but Peter stood outside at the door. Therefore, that disciple which was known to the high priest went out and spoke with the gate keeper, and brought Peter in. He entered in and sat with the armed men to see the result.

Now Annas the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus boldly responded, "I have spoken to the world openly; I always taught in a synagogue or in the Temple, where the Jews all come together. I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question me. Question those who heard what I spoke to them. Behold, they know what things I said."

Upon his speaking these things, someone standing with the attendants gave Jesus a punch, saying, "This is how you respond to the high priest?" And Jesus was sent backwards.

After recovering from the pain of the blow, Jesus spoke out, "If I spoke badly, testify about the evil; but if I spoke well, why did you punch me?" And with this venom did they await morning in order to deliver him up to the Roman authorities for sentencing. But first they had to convene an official court among themselves to find him guilty of death, and the leaders were coming together by darkness from all over the city for this purpose.

Because it was cold near dawn, the servants of the high priest and the men of the Jews made a fire in the center of the court and sat/stood by it. As they warmed themselves, Peter was standing and warming himself also. The servant girl, the gate keeper, then saw him sitting near the light and proclaimed, "And this man was with Jesus the Nazarene!" Then gazing at him: "Are you not also one of that man's disciples?"

But he denied it, saying, "I am not; I don't know what you are talking about. I don't know him, woman."

The men in charge of Jesus mocked him, spit in his face, and violently mistreated him. They covered the face of Jesus and beat him, asking, "Prophesy to us, Christ, who's the one who hit you?" And many other blasphemies did they say against him.

And Peter went to the porch in front of the court to hide himself. But the determined servant girl began to say once again to the ones standing by: "This man is one of them." Someone else looked at him and said, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene. You are one of them!" And the apostle John looked on.

"Man, I am not," he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man." Not long afterwards, while Peter was undergoing excruciating stress, the rooster crowed for the first time.

When about an hour passed, one of the high priest's servants, who was a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, insisted: "Did I not see you in the garden with him? You were certainly with him and are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and your speech really gives you away."

Then Peter began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man you're speaking about!" And suddenly, while yet speaking, the rooster crowed.

As day arrived, Annas sent Jesus bound to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the chief priests, the scribes and the elders had assembled. And turning, the beaten Lord looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the word which Jesus spoke when he said, "Before a cock crows twice, you will deny me three times. Going outside the court, Peter wept bitterly.

And the entire council with the chief priests sought false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death. But they did not find any, for many false witnesses came forth whose testimonies did not agree. Later, two came forward and said, "We heard this man say, 'I can destroy the Temple of God and build it in three days.'"

Standing up, the high priest said to him, "Do you answer nothing against the evidence these men give." But Jesus, greatly offended and in pain, remained silent. "If you are the Christ, just tell us."

"If I tell you, you will not believe; if I ask you, you will not answer."

The high priest set him up: "I adjure you, by the living God, that you tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."

Bravely fitting into his trap, God said, "I tell you, you will afterwards see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of the sky."

"You are, then, the Son of God?"

"You said it!"

Then the high priest tore his clothes and proclaimed, "He's blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses. We have heard it from his own mouth. See, you have now heard the blasphemy, so how does it seem to you?"

And they all condemned him: "He is guilty of death!"

The multitude then rose up and led him from Caiaphas to Pilate, the Roman governor. They did not enter into the praetorium lest they should defile themselves; so they might eat the Passover. For they did not want to offend the Law of God in any little way, even while they were killing His Son! So Pilate went outside to them, and asked, "Under what accusation do you bring this man?"

"If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him to you."

"Take him yourself," Pilate retorted, "and judge him according to your own Law."

That the word spoken by Jesus might be fulfilled where he signified what kind of death he was going to die--at the hands of the Gentiles--the Jews shot back: "It is not legal (under Roman rule) for us to kill anyone. And having devised accusations against him that would make him guilty before Rome, they continued, "We found this man perverting our nation and opposing the giving of taxes to Caesar. He himself says he is Christ the king."

Pilate went back into the praetorium. He called Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?'

"Are you asking this on your own, or did others speak to you about me (in a conspiracy)?"

Pilate, shunning any part in a conspiracy and recognizing Jesus was no fool, shot back, "Am I a Jew? It was your nation and its chief priests that delivered you to me." And giving him a chance to speak for himself, he inquired, "What did you do?"

Jesus, admitting to being a king, clarified that he was not the king of the Israeli nation currently under the Romans, and also showed that he was not bringing forth an armed rebellion against any nation: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom was of this world, my men would have fought to keep me from being delivered to the Jews. But, now, my kingdom is not from here."

No doubt thinking that he was dealing with some sort of a lunatic, the naive governor was perhaps mocking, "You're not really a king?"

Jesus answered, "You're saying that I'm a king" (I don't understand this response).

"For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I might witness to the truth; everyone being of the truth hears my voice."

Perhaps thinking that Jesus was calling him a liar, he replied with contempt: "What is truth?"

And having said that, Pilate went out to the Jews saying, "I find no crime with him." For Pilate was in danger of losing his governorship if he ordered anything that would spoil the peace in Palestine which he was under orders from Rome to procure. This is why the Jews knew just how to speak to Pilate to make him nervous:

"He excites the people," they insisted, "teaching throughout all Judea, coming here even after beginning in Galilee." But while the chief priests and the elders accused him, Jesus answered nothing.

Pilate appealed to Jesus for help: "Don't you hear what things they give as evidence against you?"

And he did not answer Pilate, not one word, so as to greatly astonish the governor.

On hearing the Jews and trying to squirm out of the situation, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean, and realizing that he was under the authority of Herod, he sent him up to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during these days.

When Herod saw Jesus, he greatly rejoiced, for he had wanted for a long time to see him because of what he had heard about him, and he hoped to see him bring about some miracle. So, he questioned him with many words. But Jesus answered him nothing while the chief priests and scribes stood accusing him harshly. So Herod and his soldiers despised him, and mocked him by throwing splendid clothing around him and sending him back to Pilate. Both Herod and Pilate became friends with each other on that same day; they had previously been at enmity with each other.

Then Pilate recalled together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people. Now, it was the governor's custom that at a feast he should release to the crowd one prisoner as they wished. There was one notable prisoner bound with the rebels named Barabbas, who had murdered in the rebellion. Therefore, he said to the Jews who had assembled, "There's a custom for you, that I should release to you from prison one man at the Passover. Whom do you want me to release to you, Barabbas or Jesus, called Christ?" Knowing that the chief priests had delivered Jesus out of envy, he said to them: "Do you wish that I release to you the 'king of the Jews'."

The chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Barabbas released to them instead, and to have Jesus destroyed. "Barabbas!" they shouted.

"You brought this man to me as one perverting the people, and, behold, I examined him before you and found nothing in the man of any crime for which you bring accusation against him. And neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us, and, behold, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. Therefore, upon chastising him, I will release him."

But the Jews shouted, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar."

"What, then, might I do with Jesus, called (your) Christ?"

But the whole multitude shouted, "Away with this man; release Barabbas to us!"

While he was sitting on the tribunal, in the place called "The Pavement" ("Gabbatha in Hebrew), his wife sent to him a message, saying: "You do nothing to that just man. For I suffered many things today in a dream because of him."

Wishing to release Jesus, Pilate again appealed to them. But they shouted, "Crucify! You crucify him!"

"Why? What evil has he done?"

But they cried all the more, "Let him be crucified!"

So Pilate appealed to them a third time: "What evil has this man done? I have found no cause for death with him. Therefore, upon chastising him, I will release him." So Pilate took Jesus and whipped him. Then the soldiers of the governor took him away inside the court--the praetorium--and they called the entire company. And, having made a wreath out of thorns, the soldiers placed it on his head. And stripping him they threw a purple garment around him, placed a reed in his right hand, and bowing the knee in front of him, they mock-worshipped him. They began to salute him: "Hail, king of the Jews." While spitting at him, they gave him punches, took the reed, and struck it at his head.

So Pilate went outside again and said to them, "Behold, I am bringing him out, that you may know I find no crime in him." Therefore, Jesus came out wearing the thorny wreath and the purple garment, and dripping with blood. And hoping the Jews would find it within their hearts to be satisfied with this much punishment, he said, "Behold, the man."

When the chief priests and the attendants saw him, they cried out, "Crucify! Crucify!"

"Take him yourself and crucify him; for I do not find crime with him."

"We have a Law, and according to that Law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God."

When Pilate heard this word, he was more afraid. He entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus, beaten badly by his direct order, did not give him an answer. "Do you not speak to me? Do you know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?"

And from his pain, he made this warning: "You have no authority over me except what has been given you from above; therefore, the one having delivered me to you has a greater sin."

Pilate, therefore, hearing these words, brought Jesus outside, and sat upon the tribunal. Now, it was the preparation of Passover, nearing noon, and he proclaimed to the Jews, "Behold, your king!"

"Take him, take him; crucify him!"

"Shall I crucify your king?"

But they insisted with loud voices asking for his crucifixion. The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."

Seeing that nothing was being gained, where an uproar was taking place instead, Pilate took some water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; you will see to it.

And all the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children."

Therefore, Pilate, fearful that an uproar would reach the ears of Caesar, delivered Jesus to them that he should be crucified. So their voices prevailed. He released the one who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, whom they had requested, but he delivered Jesus to their will. They removed the purple cloak from him and put on his own garments. And they led him forth that they might crucify him.

When Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus, saw that he was condemned, he repented and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, confessing, "I sinned by betraying innocent blood."

"What's that to us? You see to it!" And after he tossed the pieces of silver into the Temple, he went and hung himself. His body also became swollen until it burst open so that his inners spilled out.

The chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it represents the price of blood." They were worried about offending God, though they had just used the money to kill His Son. So, taking council, they did what Judas was doing with the coins and bought the potter's field with them, where Judas had also died, for the burial of foreigners. For this reason, that field has been called the Field of Blood until this day. Then was fulfilled the thing spoken through the prophet Zechariah, saying:

"And they took the price which was priced of Me, the thirty pieces of silver, whom the sons of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me."

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