Liturgy of the Passion

4Verse 4. The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. 5Verse 5. The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious, nor have I turned back. 6Verse 6. I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle. 7Verse 7. Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame. 8Verse 8. The One who vindicates Me is near. Who will dare to contend with Me? Let us confront each other! Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me! 9Verse 9. Surely the Lord GOD helps Me.

5Verse 5. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Verse 6. Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7Verse 7. but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8Verse 8. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross. 9Verse 9. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, 10Verse 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11Verse 11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

14Verse 14. When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles. 15Verse 15. And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering. 16Verse 16. For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17Verse 17. After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves. 18Verse 18. For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19Verse 19. And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20Verse 20. In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you. 21Verse 21. Look! The hand of My betrayer is with Mine on the table. 22Verse 22. Indeed, the Son of Man will go as it has been determined, but woe to that man who betrays Him.” 23Verse 23. Then they began to question among themselves which of them was going to do this. 24Verse 24. A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25Verse 25. So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. 26Verse 26. But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. 27Verse 27. For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves. 28Verse 28. You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials. 29Verse 29. And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed one on Me, 30Verse 30. so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31Verse 31. Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat. 32Verse 32. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33Verse 33. “Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.” 34Verse 34. But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” 35Verse 35. Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. 36Verse 36. “Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. 37Verse 37. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about Me is reaching its fulfillment.” 38Verse 38. So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered. 39Verse 39. Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. 40Verse 40. When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.” 41Verse 41. And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed, 42Verse 42. “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43Verse 43. Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. 44Verse 44. And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45Verse 45. When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46Verse 46. “Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.” 47Verse 47. While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. 48Verse 48. But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49Verse 49. Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50Verse 50. And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51Verse 51. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him. 52Verse 52. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple officers, and elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against an outlaw? 53Verse 53. Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.” 54Verse 54. Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance. 55Verse 55. When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56Verse 56. A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said. 57Verse 57. But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said. 58Verse 58. A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59Verse 59. About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60Verse 60. “Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61Verse 61. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62Verse 62. And he went outside and wept bitterly. 63Verse 63. The men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him. 64Verse 64. They blindfolded Him and kept demanding, “Prophesy! Who hit You?” 65Verse 65. And they said many other blasphemous things against Him. 66Verse 66. At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said, 67Verse 67. “If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe. 68Verse 68. And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. 69Verse 69. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70Verse 70. So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” 71Verse 71. “Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.” 1Verse 1. Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. 2Verse 2. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” 3Verse 3. So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 4Verse 4. Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5Verse 5. But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.” 6Verse 6. When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7Verse 7. And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time. 8Verse 8. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle. 9Verse 9. Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer. 10Verse 10. Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him. 11Verse 11. And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. 12Verse 12. That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies. 13Verse 13. Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14Verse 14. and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. 15Verse 15. Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death. 16Verse 16. Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 18Verse 18. But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19Verse 19. (Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) 20Verse 20. Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21Verse 21. but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” 22Verse 22. A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.” 23Verse 23. But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed. 24Verse 24. So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met. 25Verse 25. As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will. 26Verse 26. As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and they put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. 27Verse 27. A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him. 28Verse 28. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29Verse 29. Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’ 30Verse 30. At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ 31Verse 31. For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32Verse 32. Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus. 33Verse 33. When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. 34Verse 34. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. 35Verse 35. The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 36Verse 36. The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. 37Verse 37. “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!” 38Verse 38. Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39Verse 39. One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!” 40Verse 40. But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? 41Verse 41. We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Verse 42. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43Verse 43. And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” 44Verse 44. It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. 45Verse 45. The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. 46Verse 46. Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last. 47Verse 47. When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man. ” 48Verse 48. And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts. 49Verse 49. But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things. 50Verse 50. Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man, 51Verse 51. who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea and was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52Verse 52. He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. 53Verse 53. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. 54Verse 54. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55Verse 55. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed. 56Verse 56. Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.

1Verse 1. Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. 2Verse 2. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” 3Verse 3. So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 4Verse 4. Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5Verse 5. But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.” 6Verse 6. When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7Verse 7. And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time. 8Verse 8. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle. 9Verse 9. Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer. 10Verse 10. Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him. 11Verse 11. And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. 12Verse 12. That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies. 13Verse 13. Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14Verse 14. and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. 15Verse 15. Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death. 16Verse 16. Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” 18Verse 18. But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” 19Verse 19. (Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) 20Verse 20. Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, 21Verse 21. but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” 22Verse 22. A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.” 23Verse 23. But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed. 24Verse 24. So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met. 25Verse 25. As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will. 26Verse 26. As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and they put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. 27Verse 27. A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him. 28Verse 28. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29Verse 29. Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’ 30Verse 30. At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ 31Verse 31. For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32Verse 32. Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus. 33Verse 33. When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. 34Verse 34. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. 35Verse 35. The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 36Verse 36. The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. 37Verse 37. “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!” 38Verse 38. Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39Verse 39. One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!” 40Verse 40. But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? 41Verse 41. We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Verse 42. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43Verse 43. And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” 44Verse 44. It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. 45Verse 45. The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. 46Verse 46. Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last. 47Verse 47. When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man. ” 48Verse 48. And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts. 49Verse 49. But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.