In his last hours, Jesus encouraged his followers to love one another as he loved them (john 15:12-15). Yes, there would be a time of grief, but their grief would turn to joy (john 15:12-15). Jesus prayed for himself, for his disciples, and for all future disciples who would eventually come to believe in him.

Then Jesus and his disciples went out to the Mount of Olives, to an olive grove called Gethsemane. Jesus wanted to pray by himself, and he wanted his disciples to pray as well, that they would not be tempted in the midst of what was to come. He was "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (Matthew 26:38) and prayed: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will," he told God, "but as you will." Three times Jesus went to check on his disciples, and three times found them sleeping. Meanwhile, Jesus was praying with such intensity that "his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." As he prayed, an angel appeared to strengthen him (Luke 22:43-44).

When Jesus went to wake his disciples the third time, a crowd came up to them armed with swords and clubs. Judas stepped forward and gave Jesus a kiss. At this signal several men approached to arrest Jesus.

Peter jumped forward, swinging a sword and hit the ear of a servant of the high priest, a man named Malchus. Jesus stopped Peter, explaining that he could summon legions of angels if he wished. However, the arrest was something he was expecting. Jesus reattached Malchus' ear and went with the arresting officers while his disciples ran. Jesus asked his captors, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled" (Matthew 26:55-56)

The Trial
Jesus was taken to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest (john 18:12-14, then to Caiaphas himself, who questioned him about his teaching before a large assembly of "chief priests, elders, and teachers of the law" (Matthew 26:57-68). Caiaphas insisted he answer whether he was "the Christ, the SOn of God." Jesus replied: "Yes, it is as you say. But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matthew 26:64). At once Caiaphas pronounced him guilty of blasphemy. Some of those present spat in his face, struck him with their fists, slapped him, taunted him, and pronounced him worthy of death. The next morning, the entire Sanhedrin - the highest court concurred.

With Jesus pronounced guilty, the Jewish leaders took him to Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, to ask for the death penalty. When they got there, Pilate did not see how this Jewish quarrel had anything to with him. Why did they not sentence the prisoner themselves? Under Roman law, the Jews had no power to put someone to death. Their charge of blasphemy would not have meant much to Rome, so they told Pilate that Jesus claimed to be a king and opposed paying taxes to Caesar.

Pilate summoned Jesus inside and asked Jesus if he was a king. Jesus replied, "My kingdom is not of this world." (john 18:36). Pilate took Jesus back to his accusers and told them he found no reason to kill him. They were shouting out all sorts of charge, but Jesus did not say a word in response, which amazed Pilate. But when someone let it slip out that Jesus was a Galilean, Pilate thought he discovered a loophole. Rather than sentencing Jesus, he sent him to Herod. Pilate was the governor over all Judea, but Herod was the specific ruler over Galilee.

In response to Herod's questions, Jesus remained silent. At that point Herod and his soldiers began to ridicule Jesus. They dressed him in a knightly robe and sent him back to Pilate. Pilate suggested that Jesus be flogged and then released. After all, it was traditional at Passover for the governor to pardon a prisoner as a gesture of good will. But to Pilate's surprise, the crowd voted to release a convicted thief and murderer named Barabbas rather than release Jesus. Pilate turned Jesus over to his soldiers, who flogged him, dressed him in a purple robe, placed a crown of thorns on his head and placed a staff in his hand. Mockingly some bowed down as others struck him and spat in his face.

Pilate then tried one final time to convince the crowd to leave Jesus alone. But when they threatened to go over Pilate's head to Caesar, Pilate finally relented and turned Jesus over to be crucified. Before doing so, Pilate washed his hand in front of the crowd and told them, "I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your responsibility!" (Matthew 27:24)