Peter’s Promise

³¹  Jesus said to his disciples, “During this very night, all of you will reject me, as the Scriptures say, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’

³²  But after I am raised to life, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

³³ Peter spoke up, “Even if all the others reject you, I never will!”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “I promise you before a rooster crows tonight, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” ³⁵ But Peter said, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never say I don’t know you.”

All the others said the same thing.

Jesus Prays

³⁶ Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

³⁷ Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, ³⁸ and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.”

³⁹ Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me suffer by drinking from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.”

⁴⁰ He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? ⁴¹ Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.”

⁴² Again Jesus went to pray and said, “My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want.”

⁴³ Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open. ⁴⁴ He left them and prayed the same prayer once more.

⁴⁵ Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. ⁴⁶ Get up! Let’s go. The one who will betray me is already here.”

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