Part 15

CXVI. The Agony in Gethsemane (Mt 26:36-46; Mk 14:32-42; Lk 22:40-46)

CXVII. The Betrayal and Arrest (Mt 26:47-56; Mk 14:43-52; Lk 22:47-53; Jn 18:2-11)

CXVIII. Friday: The Trial before Jewish Authorities (Mt 26:57-27:10; Mk 14:53-72; Lk 22:54-71; Jn 18:12-27)

CXIX. Jesus Taken Before Pontius Pilate (Mt 27:11-31; Mk 15:2-20; Lk 23:1-25; Jn 18:28-19:16a)

CXVI. The Agony in Gethsemane (Mt 26:36-46; Mk 14:32-42; Lk 22:40-46)

And Jesus, coming with them upon the place named or called Gethsemane, said unto his disciples, “Pray that you be not placed into trial or temptation. You all sit here while I, going thither, pray.” And taking along with him Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, he began to be sorrowful - greatly amazed - and to grieve and be dejected. Then he said unto them, “My soul is greatly grieved and exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death: you all stay here and watch with me.” And proceeding forward a little, being parted from them about a stone’s throw, he knelt, and fell down on the ground upon his face, and was praying and saying that if it were possible, the hour might pass away and be removed from him. And he said, “Abba, my Father, to you all things are possible or capable of being done. If you are willing, if it is possible, remove or cause this cup to be carried past - let this cup be removed and pass away from me: but nevertheless, not what I will or desire, but what you (will or desire to be done) let be. And an angel appeared to him from heaven strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more intensely: and his sweat became as drops of blood falling down upon the ground. And rising up from the prayer, coming toward his disciples, he discovered them sleeping from sorrow; and he said unto Peter, “What’s with you, Simon? Why are you sleeping? Were you all not able to watch with me one hour? Rise up! Watch and pray lest you should fall into trial or temptation: indeed, the spirit (is) ready in mind, prepared or willing, but the flesh (is) infirm, weak or without strength.” And again going thither for a second time, he prayed saying the same thing, adding, “O my Father, if this cup is not able to pass away from me except or unless I drink it, let thy will be done.” And having returned he came and discovered them sleeping again, for their eyes were becoming grievously heavy, and they didn’t know what to answer him. And leaving them in resignation, going again, he prayed a third time, saying again the same expression, form of words, or formula. Then he came toward his disciples again the third time, and said unto them, “Sleep on, and you all rest yourselves.” (Then later, he said,) “Behold, it is enough; the hour has come and is now at hand, and behold, the Son of Man is being yielded up and handed over into the hands of the sinners. Arouse yourselves, we should go: behold, the one betraying me has come and is now at hand.”

CXVII. The Betrayal and Arrest (Mt 26:47-56; Mk 14:43-52; Lk 22:47-53; Jn 18:2-11)

And straightway, while he was yet speaking, lo and behold, a multitude came as a large crowd with swords and clubs from the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders (of the people), and the one called Judas, being one of the twelve, was coming ahead of them. Now Judas, the one betraying him, also knew the place (where they were): for Jesus had resorted there many times with his disciples. Judas then, having received the (temple) guard, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lamps and torches and weapons, and he drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. For the one betraying him was (to be) giving them a sign, and had given it to them saying, “Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; you all seize him and lead him securely away.” And immediately approaching, drawing near to Jesus he said, “Hail! Rabbi, Rabbi,” and kissed him greatly with a semblance of affection. But Jesus said unto him, “Judas, friend and comrade, for whom are you coming? Are you handing over the Son of Man with a kiss?” Jesus therefore, knowing all the things coming upon him, standing forth, said unto (the rest of) them, “Who are you all seeking?” They answered him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said unto them, “I AM.” And Judas also, the one handing him over, stood with them. When therefore he said unto them, “I AM,” they followed and fell prostrate to the ground. Therefore, he asked them again, “Who are you all seeking?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus responded, “I told you that I am: therefore, if you are seeking me, allow these (others) to go,” so that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke: “Of those whom you have given me which I now possess, I lost none of them - not one.” And then approaching, they violently they laid their hands upon Jesus and subdued him. And the disciples, those that were around him, seeing what would follow, said, “Lord, shall we smite with a sword?” And behold, a certain one of those having a sword standing by with Jesus, Simon Peter, stretching out his hand and drawing out his sword, he struck the slave of the high priest, wounding him, and he cut off his right ear. And the slave’s name was Malchus. Then Jesus therefore responded and said unto Peter, “Put up, restore or replace your sword back in its place into the sheath: for all those taking up a sword, will themselves perish by a sword. Or are you thinking that I am not able at this present moment to send for, or call upon and entreat my Father, and he will even now place at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then can the scriptures receive fulfillment, seeing that it is thus necessary to so occur now? Should I not ever taste it, the cup now at hand which the Father has given me? Desist from even this.” And touching the man’s ear he healed him. In that hour Jesus responding, said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, and the crowds coming out against him, “Have you come out with the present result that you are now here as against a robber with swords and clubs to apprehend me? I was sitting down, being with all of you daily, teaching in the temple, but you all did not lay hands upon me, and you all seized me not: but this is your hour, and the power, ability, jurisdiction, right and prerogative of the realm of darkness. And all this has come to pass so that the scriptures and the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” And then all the disciples, forsaking and abandoning him, fled away. And one certain young man was following with him, a linen cloth having been cast about him upon his nakedness: and the young men are laying hold on him (also); but relinquishing the linen cloth he fled from them naked.

CXVIII. Friday: The Trial before Jewish Authorities (Mt 26:57-27:10; Mk 14:53-72; Lk 22:54-71; Jn 18:12-27)

So the cohort, and the chiliarch, and the officers of the Jews apprehended Jesus and bound him, and led him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest (during) that term. And Caiaphas was the one advising the Jews, that it is beneficial, conducive to profit, advantageous and expedient for one man himself to die in behalf of, or instead of, in maintenance of, or for the furtherance of, the people.

And Simon Peter and another disciple were trailing Jesus. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest; but Peter stood at the door with the result that he was standing without. So that other disciple who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke unto the door-keeper, and brought Peter in. Then the girl door-keeper said unto Peter, “Are you not also of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.” Now the slaves and the officers stood with the result that they remained there, having made a heap of hot coals; for it was cold and they were warming themselves: and Peter was standing and warming himself with them.

Then the high priest questioned Jesus concerning his disciples, and about his teaching. Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews are always gathering together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why are you interrogating me? Ask those having heard what I spoke to them: behold, they know for sure what I said.” And upon saying these things, one of the officers standing by gave Jesus a blow with the palm of his hand, saying, “Are you answering the high priest in this manner?” Jesus answered him, “If I spoke falsehood, give evidence concerning the lie: but if spoke rightly, why are you hitting me?” Therefore, being bound, Annas sent him unto Caiaphas the high priest. [A nighttime trial was illegal.]

And having seized him, those restraining and taking Jesus led him away into the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where there were gathered together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. But Peter was following him at a distance, even unto the court of the high priest, entering into the interior, and he was sitting together with the officers to see the outcome, and warming himself by the light.

Now the chief priests, and the elders, and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking, pursuing, or endeavoring to obtain false witness or testimony against Jesus in order that they might put him to death; but they were not finding it, though many false witnesses coming forth were bearing false witness and giving false testimony against him; but their testimonies were not consistent, so they found it not. But afterwards there stood up and drew near two false witnesses that were bearing false witness against him. One said, “This one said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in the course of three days.”” The other said, “We heard him saying, “I will demolish this temple made with hands, and in the course of three days I will build another made without hands.”” And so, neither was their witness consistent. And the high priest standing up in their midst, questioned Jesus, saying unto him, “Not one response? Nothing? What are these witnessing or testifying against you?” But Jesus was maintaining his silence and answered nothing. Again, responding, the high priest questioned him, and said unto him, “I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God. Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said unto him, “You have said so. I am. Nevertheless I tell you, henceforth you will see the Son of Man sitting to the right of Omnipotence, and coming upon and with the clouds of heaven.” And then the high priest tore his garments, saying, “He spoke of the divine in irreverent and reproachful terms injurious to the majesty of our deity! What further need are we still having of witnesses? Behold, you just heard his blasphemy! What is it appearing like to you?” And answering they all condemned him to be liable of death, saying, “He is liable to death.” And some began to spit at him; then they spat in his face and punched him with the fist; and some began to cover his face with a blindfold and to hit him with a fist and were striking his face; and some slapped him with the palms of their hands and questioned him, saying, “Prophesy unto us, you Messiah: who is the one striking you?” And those men holding him were mocking him and beating him. And the officers received him and struck him with blows of their hands, and blaspheming, they revilingly said many other things against him.

Now Peter was sitting outside, being in the court beneath. And kindling a fire in the midst of the court, they were sitting down together, and Peter was sitting in the midst of them. And a certain maid sitting near the light (got up and) drew near unto him - one of the maids of the high priest - and seeing Simon Peter standing up and warming himself in the light, looking intently, steadfastly and significantly at him, she said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean. This man also was with him, even Jesus the Nazarene.” But he denied him before (them) all, saying, “Woman, I know him not. I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” Therefore (at this same time) others looking at him, they said unto him, “Are you also (one) of his disciples?” That one denied and said, “I am not,” and departing he went outside into the gateway of the outer court; and a cock crowed. And when he was gone out into the outer court, the maid seeing him again, began to say to him and to those (that were) there standing by, “You also are (one) of them. This (man) is one of them. This (man) also was with Jesus the Nazarene.” But Peter (was denying again) saying to them, “Man, I am not.” And he denied it again with an oath, (saying), “I know not the man.” And after a little while, about the interval of one hour, those standing by, coming near, were asseverating and confidently affirming, saying to Peter again, “Of a truth this one was also with him, for he also is a Galilean. You are a Galilean; for even your dialect is the same and is clearly making you.” And one of the slaves of the high priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter therefore denied again, saying, “Man, I know not what you are saying.” Then he began to execrate, and bind by a curse, and to swear with an oath, and said, “I know not this man of whom you are speaking.” And immediately, while yet speaking, the cock crowed and sounded a second time after, and turning, the Lord looked upon Peter. And Peter received recall, and remembered the predictive word of the Lord as he told him - how that Jesus said unto him, “This day, before a cock crows to sound twice, you will disown and deny me for self preservation thrice.” And reflecting thereupon, going outside he began to weep; he wept, and was weeping bitterly.

Now it happened early in the morning, that all of the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus so as to put him to death. And as soon as day came, the Jewish Sanhedrin was convened, elders, chief priests and scribes; and they conducted him into their Sanhedrin, saying, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” But he said unto them, “If I were to tell you, you would never believe: and if I were to also ask you, you would never let me (have an) answer, nor would you let me go. From the present time the Son of Man will be sitting at the rights of the omnipotence of God.” And they all said, “You then are the Son of God!” And he said unto them, “You are so saying, because I am.” And they said, “What further need are we having of testimony? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth.” And binding him, they led him away and delivered him unto Pontius Pilate the governor.

Then Judas, the one betraying him, when he saw that he was condemned, becoming regretful and repenting himself, he restored the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What (is that) to us? Its your problem.” And casting down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, he departed; and going away he hanged himself. And the chief priests taking up the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put this into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.” And taking counsel, they bought with them the field of the potter, for the burial of strangers. Wherefore that field was called, “A Field of Blood,” until even this day. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “And I took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of the One having been so priced, whom they of the mature sons of Israel themselves priced; and I gave them for the field of the potter as the Lord directed me.”

CXIX. Jesus Taken Before Pontius Pilate (Mt 27:11-31; Mk 15:2-20; Lk 23:1-25; Jn 18:28-19:16a)

Now, rising up, the whole company of them brought him before Pilate. Therefore they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium: but it was early; and they themselves entered not into the Praetorium, lest they should be (ceremonially) defiled, and so that they could eat the Passover. Pilate therefore went out unto them and said, “What accusation are you all bringing against this man?” And they answered and began to accuse him, saying, “We found this (one) perverting the nation, and forbidding (men) to give tribute to Caesar, and saying he himself (is) to be anointed king. Except this (one) were an evildoer, we would not have delivered him up unto you.” Pilate therefore said unto them, “You all take him and judge him according to your Law.” The Jews said unto him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” so that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled which he spoke, signifying to what type or manner of death he was about to die [Roman crucifixion].

Pilate therefore entered back into the Praetorium and called Jesus, and Jesus stood before the governor. And Pilate the governor questioned him, saying, “You are the King of the Jews?” And Jesus answering, said unto him, “Are you saying this out of yourself as a source, or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “A Jew I am not. Your (own) people and the chief priests have delivered you up unto me: what have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then my assistants would be fighting, so that I would not be delivered unto the Jews: but presently, my kingdom is not of this place.” Pilate therefore said unto him, “Are you a king then?” And Jesus answering said unto him, “You are speaking because I am a king, or, You are saying that I am a king. I have been born for this, and for this I have come into the world, so that I can bear witness to the Truth. All those being from the Truth hear my voice.” Pilate said unto him, “What is truth?”

And having said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and he said unto them, “I find, discover or detect no crime in him.” And the chief priests were accusing Jesus of many things, and while he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then Pilate again questioned him, saying unto him, “Are you avowing nothing? Behold how many things they are accusing you of. Are you not hearing how many things they are witnessing against you?” But Jesus no more answered anything, and he gave him no response, not even to one word: insomuch that Pilate the governor (began) to marvel greatly with wonder and admiration. And Pilate said unto the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no cause in this man.” But they were the more urgent and pressing, saying, “He is stirring up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, and beginning from Galilee even unto this place….” And Pilate hearing “Galilee,” he asked if the man is a Galilean. And learning that he is from the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him unto Herod, he being also in Jerusalem in these days.

Now Herod seeing Jesus, became exceedingly glad: for he was for a long time wanting to see him, because he (had begun) to hear much about him; and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. And he questioned him with befitting words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his guards made light of him by mocking him, rejecting him with contempt and scorn; and casting around him gaudy apparel he sent him back to Pilate. And both Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day: for they were at enmity between themselves before this. And calling together the chief priests and the leaders and the people, Pilate said unto them, “You brought this man unto me as (one that is) perverting the people: and behold, examining him before you, I found no fault in this man regarding those things which you accuse him of. But still more, neither Herod: for I sent you all up unto him: and behold, nothing worthy of death has been committed by him. Therefore, scourging him, I will release him.”

Now at a feast, the governor in the past had customarily resorted to setting free one prisoner, usually with good results, and was of necessity compelled to liberate unto the multitude at this feast one prisoner whomsoever they wanted and asked of him. And the multitude went up and began crying aloud, asking him to do for themselves as he was always doing. Now they were keeping there at that time one, therefore, who was a robber - a notorious prisoner called Barabbas - having been bound with those insurgents that had made a certain insurrection in the city, and who were cast into prison for committing murder in that insurrection. Therefore, after the (Jews) had been gathered together, Pilate answered and said to them, “Now it is a custom for you that I should release one (prisoner) unto you upon the Passover: therefore, you decide who I should release to you. Whom are you desiring that I should set free for you? Barabbas…..or Jesus called Messiah?” For he perceived and knew absolutely with the result that it was settled in his mind, that for envy, jealousy and spite the chief priests had delivered him up with the result that he was already in custody.

But while he (was) sitting upon the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, “You’re nothing, even to this righteous, innocent (man): for I suffered this day in a dream because of him.” Now the chief priests and the elders influenced the multitudes by persuasion that they should demand for themselves Barabbas, and they should put Jesus to death; and they instigated and stirred up the multitude so that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. But the governor, responding again, said unto them, “Which out of the two are you willing that I should release for you?” They all cried out therefore, saying, “Barabbas! Not this man, but Barabbas!” Pilate said unto them, “Are you willing that I should release unto you the King of the Jews?” Then again the whole multitude cried out all together, saying, “Lift up and kill this man, and release unto us Barabbas!” And Pilate addressing them again, desiring to release Jesus, responded and said unto them, “What then are you desiring that I should do unto Jesus - the (One) being called Messiah - whom you are calling “King of the Jews?”” And they all shouted and cried out again unto him, saying, “Crucify, crucify him! Let him be crucified!” But the governor Pilate said unto them a third time, “What for? What evil has this (one) done? I have found no cause in him for death: therefore scourging him, I will release him.” [Many men could not survive the Roman scourging.] But they were urgent and importunate upon him and were crying out more abundantly with exceedingly loud voices, asking for him to be crucified, and their voices, and those of the chief priests, prevailed, as they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Crucify him! Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate, willing to do (whatever it took) to gratify or placate the multitude, saw that there was nothing further of benefit, and that he prevailed not, but rather that a tumult was arising, taking water, he washed his hands in the presence of the multitude, so that he could be clean of wrongdoing, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous (one): You shall be admitted to observe this!” And answering, all the people said, “His blood be upon us and upon our children!” Then, therefore, the soldiers of Pilate the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium, and led him away to the court interior within, which is in the palace, and they called together and gathered against him the whole cohort, and stripping him, they scourged him, and then they clothed or arrayed him with a purple garment, and put around him a scarlet cloak. And they plaited or interwove a crown made of thorns and placed it around his head, and a reed upon his right; and they began to salute him, and they knelt down before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on his head with it, and kneeling down again they were worshipping him, and then they struck him with their hands.

Then Pilate came out again (to the) outside, and said unto them, “Behold, I bring him out to you so that you may know that I find not one crime in him.” Jesus therefore came out (to the) outside, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple garment and cloak. And Pilate said unto them, “Behold, the man!” When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out saying, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said unto them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him: for I find not a crime in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a Law, and according to our Law he ought to die, because he made himself Son of God.” When Pilate therefore heard this detail, he became more reluctant; and he entered again into the Praetorium with Jesus and said unto him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said unto him, “You are not speaking to me? Are you uncertain that I have authority and power to crucify you, and that I have authority and power to release you?” Jesus answered him, “You were not holding authority and power over me unless you had been receiving permission and supply from above: therefore, the one delivering me up unto you has a greater sin.” After this, Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you are not a friend of Caesar: everyone making himself a king is opposing Caesar!” Pilate hearing this saying therefore brought Jesus outside, and sat down upon the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha." Now it was the Preparation of the Passover: and approaching the third hour [9:00 A.M.]. And he said unto the Jews, “Behold, your King!” But they cried out, “Lift him up! Lift him up! Crucify him!” Pilate said unto them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!” So therefore, Pilate adjudged their request to be done, and he released unto them whom they asked for, Barabbas, who had been cast into prison for insurrection and murder. And having already scourged Jesus, he delivered him up unto them to their will, so that he could be crucified. And when they had mocked and derided him, and treated him contumely and with scorn, they removed from him the cloak, and the purple garment, and put on him his own garments, and they led him out and away to crucify him.

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