Day 314: Acts 1 - 2

Chapter 1

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

1: In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning
2: until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
3: After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4: While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me;
5: for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Ascension of Jesus

6: So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7: He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9: When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10: While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.
11: They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12: Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away.
13: When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
14: All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
15: In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said,
16: “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus—
17: for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
18: (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.
19: This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20: “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it’; and ‘Let another take his position of overseer.’
21: So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22: beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”
23: So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.
24: Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen
25: to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
26: And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

Chapter 2

The Coming of the Holy Spirit


1: When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
2: And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
3: Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.
4: All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5: Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.
6: And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.
7: Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
8: And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?
9: Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10: Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11: Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”
12: All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”
13: But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14: But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
15: Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.
16: No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18: Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
19: And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20: The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21: Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
22: “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 

23: this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 

24: But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 

25: For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
26: therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope.
27: For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption.
28: You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29: “Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30: Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne.
31: Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’
32: This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.
33: Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear.
34: For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,
35: until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36: Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

The First Converts

37: Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 

38: Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39: For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”
40: And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
41: So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
42: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Life among the Believers
43: Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.
44: All who believed were together and had all things in common;
45: they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46: Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts,
47: praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Day 313: John 18 - 21

Chapter 18

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
1: After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to a place where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.
2: Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples.
3: So Judas brought a detachment of soldiers together with police from the chief priests and the Pharisees, and they came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4: Then Jesus, knowing all that was to happen to him, came forward and asked them, “Whom are you looking for?”
5: They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus replied, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
6: When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they stepped back and fell to the ground.
7: Again he asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
8: Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you are looking for me, let these men go.”
9: This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, “I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.”
10: Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.
11: Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Jesus before the High Priest
12: So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him.
13: First they took him to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
14: Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus

15: Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest,
16: but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in.
17: The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”
18: Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

19: Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.
20: Jesus answered, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.
21: Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.”
22: When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”
23: Jesus answered, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?”
24: Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus Again

25: Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”
26: One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?”
27: Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed.

Jesus before Pilate

28: Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover.
29: So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
30: They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.”
31: Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.”
32: (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)
33: Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
34: Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”
35: Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?”
36: Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”
37: Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
38: Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him.

Jesus Sentenced to Death

39: But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” 

40: They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit.

Chapter 19

1: Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.
2: And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe.
3: They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him on the face.
4: Pilate went out again and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no case against him.”
5: So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”
6: When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.”
7: The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God.”
8 Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever.
9: He entered his headquarters again and asked Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.
10: Pilate therefore said to him, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?”
11: Jesus answered him, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
12: From then on Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of the emperor. Everyone who claims to be a king sets himself against the emperor.”
13: When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside and sat on the judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, or in Hebrew Gabbatha.
14: Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, “Here is your King!”
15: They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.”
16: Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

17: So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.
18: There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them.
19: Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
20: Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
21: Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’”
22: Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
23: When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top.
24: So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
25: And that is what the soldiers did. Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26: When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.”
27: Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.”
29: A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.
30: When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus’ Side Is Pierced

31: Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed.
32: Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him.
33: But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.
34: Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.
35: (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.)
36: These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.”
37: And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.”

The Burial of Jesus

38: After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body.
39: Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds.
40: They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews.
41: Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid.
42: And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Chapter 20

The Resurrection of Jesus

1: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
2: So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”
3: Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb.
4: The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5: He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.
6: Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there,
7: and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.
8: Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
9: for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
10: Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11: But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb;
12: and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.
13: They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”
14: When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
15: Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
16: Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher).
17: Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18: Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19: When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
20: After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21: Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
22: When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23: If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Jesus and Thomas

24: But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
25: So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
26: A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
27: Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”
28: Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
29: Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

The Purpose of This Book

30: Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 

31: But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Chapter 21

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

1: After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberius; and he showed himself in this way. 

2: Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 

3: Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 :Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 

5: Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 

6: He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 

7: That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 

8: But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 

10: Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 

11: So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 

12: Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 

13: Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 

14: This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 

16: A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 

17: He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 

18: Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 

19: (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus and the Beloved Disciple

20: Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 

21: When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 

22: Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” 

23: So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. 

25: But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Day 311: John 12 - 14

Chapter 12

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

1: Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 

2: There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 

3: Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

4: But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 

5:"Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" 

6: (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 

7: Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 

8: You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

The Plot against Lazarus

9: When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 

10: So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 

11: since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

12: The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 

13: So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord- the King of Israel!" 

14: Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 

15:"Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" 

16: His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. 

17: So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. 

18: It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 

19: The Pharisees then said to one another, "You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!"

Some Greeks Seek Jesus

20: Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 

21: They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 

22: Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

23: Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24: Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

25: Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26: Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

The Son of man must be lifted up

27: "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-"Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 

28: Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." 

29: The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 

30: Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 

31: Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 

32: And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

33: He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 

34: The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" 

35: Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 

36: While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

The Unbelief of the Jews

37: Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. 

38: This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" 

39: And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, 

40:"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn- and I would heal them." 

41: Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him.

42: Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 

43: for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.

The Judgment of Jesus' Word

44: Then Jesus cried aloud: "Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me.

45: And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 

46: I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. 

47: I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

48: The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, 

49: for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. 

50: And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me."

Chapter 13

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet

1: Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 

2: The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 

3: Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 

4: got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 

5: Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 

6: He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 

7: Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

8: Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." 

9: Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 

10: Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you."

11: For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean." 

12: After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 

13: You call me Teacher and Lord-and you are right, for that is what I am. 

14: So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 

15: For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 

16: Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 

17: If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

18:I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, "The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' 

19: I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. 

20: Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me."

Jesus Foretells His Betrayal

21: After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, "Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me." 

22: The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 

23: One of his disciples-the one whom Jesus loved-was reclining next to him; 

24: Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 

25: So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" 

26: Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 

27: After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." 

28: Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 

29: Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival"; or, that he should give something to the poor. 

30: So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

The New Commandment

31: When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 

32: If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 

33: Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, "Where I am going, you cannot come.' 

34: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 

35: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Peter's Denial Foretold

36: Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward." 

37: Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." 

38: Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.

Chapter 14

Jesus the Way to the Father

1:"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.

2: In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 

3: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.

4: And you know the way to the place where I am going." 

5: Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 

6: Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

7: If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 

8: Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 

9: Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father'? 

10: Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 

11: Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.

12: Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 

13: I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 

14: If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

15:"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 

16: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 

17: This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

18:"I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 

19: In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 

20: On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

21: They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."

22: Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" 

23: Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 

24: Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

25:"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 

26: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 

27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

28:You heard me say to you, "I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 

29: And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. 

30: I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 

31: but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.