Study Desk

How terrible it will be in those days for women who are pregnant and for mothers with little babies! Terrible distress will come upon this land, and God's punishment will fall on this people.

People will faint from fear as they wait for what is coming over the whole earth, for the powers in space will be driven from their courses.

like a trap. For it will come upon all people everywhere on earth.

The time was near for the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover.

Judas agreed to it and started looking for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them without the people knowing about it.

The day came during the Festival of Unleavened Bread when the lambs for the Passover meal were to be killed.

Jesus sent Peter and John with these instructions: "Go and get the Passover meal ready for us to eat."

For I tell you, I will never eat it until it is given its full meaning in the Kingdom of God."

Then he took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."

In the same way, he gave them the cup after the supper, saying, "This cup is God's new covenant sealed with my blood, which is poured out for you.

The Son of Man will die as God has decided, but how terrible for that man who betrays him!"

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers."

For I tell you that the scripture which says, ‘He shared the fate of criminals,' must come true about me, because what was written about me is coming true."

Herod was very pleased when he saw Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been wanting to see him for a long time. He was hoping to see Jesus perform some miracle.

Nor did Herod find him guilty, for he sent him back to us. There is nothing this man has done to deserve death.

The whole crowd cried out, "Kill him! Set Barabbas free for us!"

(Barabbas had been put in prison for a riot that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)

So Pilate passed the sentence on Jesus that they were asking for.

He set free the man they wanted, the one who had been put in prison for riot and murder, and he handed Jesus over for them to do as they wished.

A large crowd of people followed him; among them were some women who were weeping and wailing for him.