The Life of Jesus

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.

So also, when you see these things happening, know that He is near, right at the door.

Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come.

It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch.

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.

Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping.

And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.

“But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.

Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume?

It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.

The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.

She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.

And truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.

They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him,

and whichever house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’

And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”