The Passover Meal

12It was now the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread.* This was a time when the Jews always sacrificed (killed) the Passover* lambs.* Jesus' followers came to him. They said, "We will go and prepare everything for you to eat the Passover meal. Where do you want us to have the meal?" 13Jesus sent two of his followers into the city. Jesus said to them, "Go into the city. You will see a man carrying a jar of water. The man will come to you. Follow that man. 14That man will walk into a house. Tell the person who owns the house, 'The Teacher asks that you show us the room where he and his followers can eat the Passover* meal.' 15The owner will show you a large room upstairs. This room is ready for you. Prepare the food for us there." 16So the followers left and went into the city. Everything happened the way Jesus said. So the followers prepared the Passover* meal. 17In the evening, Jesus went to that house with the twelve apostles.* 18While they were all at the table eating, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. One of you will be against me--one of you eating with me now." 19The followers were very sad to hear this. Each follower said to Jesus, "Surely I will not be against you!" 20Jesus answered, "The man who is against me is one of you twelve. He is the one who dips his bread into the same bowl with me. 21The Son of Man* will go [and die]. The Scriptures* say this will happen. But it will be very bad for the person who gives the Son of Man [to be killed]. It would be better for that person if he were never born."