. When
Peter stoutly declared again his readiness to go with Jesus, even into
prison or to death, the Lord silenced him with the remark: "I tell thee,
Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice
deny that thou knowest me."

The apostles had to be prepared to meet a new order of things, new
conditions and new exigencies; persecution awaited them, and they were
soon to be bereft of the Master's sustaining presence. Jesus asked of
them: "When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye
anything? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he
that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that
hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto
you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he
was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have
an end." The Lord was soon to be numbered among the transgressors, as
had been foreseen;[1207] and His disciples would be regarded as the
devotees of an executed criminal. In the mention of purse, scrip, shoes,
and sword, some of the brethren caught at the literal meaning, and said,
"Lord, behold, here are two swords," Jesus answered with curt finality,
"It is enough," or as we might say, "Enough of this." He had not
intimated any immediate need of weapons, and most assuredly not for His
own defense. Again they had failed to fathom His meaning; but experience
would later teach them.[1208]

For such information as we have concerning the last discourse delivered
by Jesus to the apostles before His crucifixion, we are indebted to John
alone among the Gospel-writers; and every reader is advized to study
with care the three chapters in which these sublime utterances are
preserved for the enlightenment of mankind.[1209] Observing the
sorrowful state of the Eleven, the Master bade them be of good cheer,
grounding their encouragement and hope on faith in Himself. "Let not
your heart be troubled," He said, "ye believe in God, believe also in
me." Then, as though drawing aside the veil between the earthly and the
heavenly state and giving His faithful servants a glimpse of conditions
beyond, He continued: "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it
were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye