[1] The Festival of Unleavened Bread, also known as Passover, drew near—a sacred time when Jewish families remembered God's deliverance from Egypt.
[27] In the world's eyes, who is greater—the one being served or the one serving? Isn't it the one being served? Yet I am among you as One who serves."
[28] Jesus then encouraged their faithfulness: "You have stood by Me through all My trials.
[29] And just as My Father has granted Me a Kingdom, I grant you a place in it.
[30] You will eat and drink at My table in My Kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
[31] Then Jesus turned to Simon Peter with urgent concern: "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift all of you like wheat—to shake your faith violently.
[32] But I have prayed for you, that your faith will not completely fail. When you have turned back to Me, strengthen your brothers."
[33] Peter declared boldly, "Lord, I am ready to go with You to prison and to death!"
[34] Jesus replied sadly, "Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you even know Me."
[35] Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you out to minister without money, bag, or extra sandals, did you lack anything?" They answered, "Nothing."
[36] He said, "But now, take your money and a bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
[37] For this scripture must be fulfilled in Me: 'He was numbered with the transgressors.' Everything written about Me is coming to its culmination."
[38] The disciples said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." He replied, "That is enough"—showing they had misunderstood His metaphor about preparation.
[39] Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives to pray, and His disciples followed Him.
[40] On reaching the place, He urged them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."
[41] He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down, and began to pray.
[42] "Father," He pleaded, "if You are willing, take this cup of suffering from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done."
[43] An angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him for what lay ahead.
[44] Being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground—showing the intense spiritual battle He fought.
[45] When He rose from prayer and returned to His disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
[46] "Why are you sleeping?" He asked. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
[47] While He was still speaking, a crowd approached, led by Judas. The betrayer came close to Jesus to kiss Him—turning a gesture of love into a sign of betrayal.
[48] Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
[49] When Jesus' followers saw what was coming, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?"
[50] One of them struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear.
[51] But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And He touched the man's ear and healed him—showing divine love even to His enemies.
[52] Then Jesus addressed the chief priests, temple guards, and elders who had come for Him: "Am I leading a rebellion, that you come with swords and clubs?
[53] Every day I was with you in the temple courts, but you didn't lay a hand on Me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns."
[54] They seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the high priest's house. Peter followed at a distance, his courage failing.
[55] They lit a fire in the courtyard and sat around it. Peter joined them, trying to blend in.
[56] A servant girl saw him in the firelight, looked closely, and said, "This man was with Jesus."
[57] But Peter denied it: "Woman, I don't know Him!"
[58] A little later someone else looked at him and said, "You are one of them." Peter replied, "Man, I am not!"
[59] About an hour later, another insisted, "Certainly this fellow was with Him—he's a Galilean too!"
[60] Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.
[61] The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered Jesus' words: "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times."
[62] He went outside and wept bitterly—his heart broken by his own failure.
[63] The men guarding Jesus began mocking and beating Him.
[64] They blindfolded Him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit You?"
[65] They said many other insulting things to Him, unleashing their cruelty on divine love.
[66] At daybreak the council of elders—chief priests and teachers of the law—met together. Jesus was brought before them.
[67] "If You are the Messiah," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe Me,
[68] and if I asked you, you would not answer.
[69] But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
[70] They all asked, "Are You then the Son of God?" He replied, "You say that I am."
[71] Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from His own lips!" They twisted His truthful words into grounds for condemnation.
The F.O.G Paraphrase
