1. NOW THE Festival of Unleavened Bread was drawing near, which is called the Passover.
2. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to do away with [Jesus], for they feared the people.
3. But [then] Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve [apostles].
4. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and captains how he might betray Him and deliver Him up to them.
5. And they were delighted and pledged [themselves] to give him money.
6. So he agreed [to this], and sought an opportunity to betray Him to them [without an uprising] in the absence of the throng.
7. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover [lamb] had to be slain. [Exod. 12:18-20; Deut. 16:5-8.]
8. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare for us the Passover meal, that we may eat it.
9. They said to Him, Where do You want us to prepare [it]?
10. He said to them, Behold, when you have gone into the city, a man carrying an earthen jug or pitcher of water will meet you; follow him into the house which he enters,
11. And say to the master of the house, The Teacher asks you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover [meal] with My disciples?
12. And he will show you a large room upstairs, furnished [with carpets and with couches properly spread]; there make [your] preparations.
13. And they went and found it [just] as He had said to them; and they made ready the Passover [supper].
14. And when the hour came, [Jesus] reclined at table, and the apostles with Him.
15. And He said to them, I have earnestly and intensely desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;
16. For I say to you, I shall eat it no more until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17. And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He said, Take this and divide and distribute it among yourselves;
18. For I say to you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine at all until the kingdom of God comes.
19. Then He took a loaf [of bread], and when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and gave it to them saying, This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.