40. When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.
41. When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”
43. And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders.
44. The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.”
45. As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss.
46. Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
47. But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
48. Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me?
49. Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”
50. Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.
51. One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him,
52. he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.
53. They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered.
54. Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.
55. Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any.
56. Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other.