提交彼拉多

27 到了清晨,所有的祭司長和民間的長老商議對付耶穌,為要處死他。 他們把耶穌捆起來帶走,交給總督彼拉多

猶大自縊

這時候,那出賣耶穌的猶大看見耶穌被定了死罪,就後悔,去把三十個銀錢退還給祭司長們和長老們, 說:「我出賣了無辜人的血,我有罪了。」

但是他們說:「這與我們有什麼關係?你自己看著辦吧!」

猶大把銀錢丟在聖所裡就退了出來,去上吊自殺了。

祭司長們撿起銀錢,說:「這既然是血錢,不可以放到聖殿奉獻裡。」 他們商議之後,就用那錢買了陶匠的一塊地,做為外國人的墳地。 因此,那塊地就被稱為「血田」,直到今天。 這就應驗了藉著先知耶利米所說的話:

「他們拿了那三十個銀錢,就是那人被定的價錢,是以色列子民所定的; 10 他們用這錢買了陶匠的那塊地,正如主所指示我的。」[a]

在彼拉多面前受審

11 耶穌站在總督面前,總督問他,說:「你是猶太人的王嗎?」

耶穌說:「是你說的。」 12 可是當他被祭司長們和長老們控告的時候,什麼都不回應。

13 彼拉多對他說:「他們控告你這麼多的事,你沒有聽見嗎?」 14 耶穌連一句話也不回答,以致總督感到非常驚奇。

耶穌或巴拉巴

15 每逢這節日,總督會照慣例,給民眾釋放一個他們所要的囚犯。 16 那時有一個出名的囚犯,叫巴拉巴 17 當民眾聚集的時候,彼拉多問他們:「你們要我給你們釋放哪一個呢?是巴拉巴,還是那稱為基督的耶穌?」 18 其實彼拉多知道他們是出於嫉妒才把耶穌交給他的。

19 彼拉多正坐在審判席上,他的妻子派人到他那裡說:「這義人的事,你什麼也不要管。要知道,我今天因他的緣故,在夢中受了很多苦。」

20 祭司長們和長老們挑唆眾人,叫他們要巴拉巴,而除滅耶穌。 21 總督問他們,說:「這兩個人中,你們要我給你們釋放哪一個呢?」

他們回答說:「巴拉巴!」

22 彼拉多對他們說:「那麼,我該怎麼處理這稱為基督的耶穌呢?」

他們都說:「把他釘上十字架!」

23 彼拉多說:「他到底做了什麼惡事呢?」

但他們卻越發喊叫說:「把他釘上十字架!」

24 彼拉多知道自己無濟於事,反而騷亂倒要發生,就拿水在眾人面前洗手,說:「流這人[b]的血,罪不在我,你們自己看著辦吧!」

25 全體民眾都回答說:「他的血歸在我們和我們兒女的身上!」 26 於是彼拉多給他們釋放了巴拉巴,然後將耶穌鞭打[c]了,把他交出去釘上十字架。

被士兵戲弄

27 那時,總督的士兵們把耶穌帶進總督府,召集了全隊士兵在他周圍。 28 他們剝下耶穌的衣服,給他套上一件深紅色的袍子, 29 用荊棘編了冠冕,戴在他的頭上,又把一根蘆葦放在他的右手裡,然後跪在他面前,戲弄他說:「萬歲,猶太人的王!」 30 接著向他吐唾沫,拿蘆葦打他的頭。 31 他們戲弄完了,就脫下他深紅色的袍子,給他穿上他自己的衣服,然後把他帶走,要釘上十字架。

被釘在罪犯之間

32 他們出去的時候,遇見一個名叫西門古利奈人,就強迫這個人來背耶穌的十字架。 33 他們來到一個地方,叫「各各他」——這意思是「骷髏地」; 34 他們把膽汁調和的酒[d]給耶穌喝。耶穌嘗了,不肯喝。 35 他們把耶穌釘上十字架以後,抽籤分了他的衣服,[e] 36 然後坐在那裡看守著他, 37 又在他的頭上方,安了他的罪狀牌,上面寫道:「這是耶穌,猶太人的王。」

38 那時,有兩個強盜與耶穌一起被釘十字架,一個在右邊,一個在左邊。 39 那些路過的人辱罵耶穌,搖著頭, 40 說:「你這個要拆毀聖所、三天內又建起來的人哪,救救你自己吧!你如果是神的兒子,就從十字架上下來吧!」 41 同樣,祭司長們也與經文士們和長老們[f]一起嘲笑,說: 42 「他救了別人,卻不能救自己!他是[g]以色列的王!現在讓他從十字架上下來吧,這樣我們就信靠他! 43 他依靠神,如果神喜悅他,就讓神現在救他吧!因為他說過『我是神的兒子。』」 44 與耶穌一起被釘十字架的強盜也同樣地責罵他。

耶穌之死

45 從中午十二點[h]起,黑暗籠罩了整個大地,一直到下午三點[i] 46 下午三點左右,耶穌大聲呼叫:「以利,以利!拉瑪撒巴克達尼?[j]——這意思是:「我的神,我的神!你為什麼離棄我?」[k]

47 站在那裡的一些人聽見了,就說:「這個人在呼喚以利亞呢!」

48 其中有一個人立刻跑去,拿了海綿蘸滿了酸酒,套在蘆葦上,要給他喝。 49 其他的人說:「等著吧,我們看以利亞會不會來救他。」

50 耶穌又大喊一聲,就交出了靈魂。 51 忽然,聖所裡的幔子從上到下裂成兩半。大地震動,岩石裂開。 52 墳墓也開了,許多已睡了的聖徒的身體復活了。 53 耶穌復活以後,他們從墳墓裡出來,進了聖城,向許多人顯現。

54 百夫長和那些與他一起看守耶穌的人,看見地震和所發生的事,就極其懼怕,說:「這個人真是神的兒子!」

55 那裡有許多婦女從遠處觀看,她們從加利利開始就跟隨耶穌,服事他。 56 其中有茉大拉瑪麗亞雅各約西[l]的母親瑪麗亞,以及西庇太兒子們的母親。

安葬

57 到了傍晚,來了一個亞利馬太的財主,名叫約瑟,他自己也是耶穌的門徒。 58 他來到彼拉多面前,請求要耶穌的遺體,彼拉多就下令給他。 59 約瑟領了耶穌的遺體,用潔白的細麻布裹好, 60 安放在自己的新墓穴裡,這墓穴是他鑿在岩石裡的。他又滾來一塊大石頭,堵住墓穴口,就離開了。 61 茉大拉瑪麗亞和另一個瑪麗亞在那裡,對著墳墓坐著。

嚴守墳墓

62 第二天,就是預備日的後一天,祭司長們和法利賽人在彼拉多那裡聚集, 63 說:「大人,我們想起當那個迷惑人的還活著時曾經說過:『在第三天我要復活。』 64 所以,請你下令嚴密看守那墳墓,一直到第三天,免得他的門徒們來[m]把他偷走,然後對民眾說他從死人中復活了,這樣,那最後的迷惑就要比先前的更厲害了。」

65 彼拉多對他們說:「你們有一隊衛兵,盡你們所能,嚴密看守吧!」 66 於是,他們帶著衛兵去,用印封上墓口的[n]石頭,嚴密看守墳墓。

Footnotes

  1. 馬太福音 27:10 《耶利米書》32:6-9;《撒迦利亞書》11:12-13。
  2. 馬太福音 27:24 這人——有古抄本作「這義人」。
  3. 馬太福音 27:26 鞭打——羅馬式鞭打使用的鞭子是帶有碎骨頭或金屬尖鉤的皮條,抽打時使人皮開肉綻,非常殘酷。
  4. 馬太福音 27:34 酒——有古抄本作「酸酒」。
  5. 馬太福音 27:35 有古抄本附「這是為要應驗那藉著先知所說的話:『他們分了我的衣服,又為我的衣裳抽籤。』」
  6. 馬太福音 27:41 有古抄本附「和法利賽人」。
  7. 馬太福音 27:42 他是——有古抄本作「如果他是」。
  8. 馬太福音 27:45 中午十二點——原文為「第六時刻」。
  9. 馬太福音 27:45 下午三點——原文為「第九時刻」。
  10. 馬太福音 27:46 以利,以利!拉瑪撒巴克達尼?——希伯來文詞語的音譯。
  11. 馬太福音 27:46 《詩篇》22:1。
  12. 馬太福音 27:56 約西——有古抄本作「約瑟」。
  13. 馬太福音 27:64 有古抄本附「夜裡」。
  14. 馬太福音 27:66 墓口的——輔助詞語。

耶穌被押交彼拉多(A)

27 到了早上,所有的祭司長和民間的長老商議怎樣對付耶穌,好殺掉他。 他們把他綁起來,押去交給總督彼拉多。

猶大的結局(參(B)

那時,出賣耶穌的猶大見耶穌定了罪,就後悔了。他把那三十塊銀子還給祭司長和長老,說: “我有罪了!我出賣了無辜的人(“人”原文作“血”)!”他們說:“這是你的事,跟我們有甚麼關係?” 猶大把銀子丟進聖所,然後離開,出去吊死了。 祭司長把銀子拾起來,說:“這是血錢,不可放在殿庫裡。” 他們商議之後,就用那些錢買了“陶匠的田”,用來作外國人的墳地。 所以那田稱為“血田”,直到今日。 這應驗了耶利米先知所說的:“他們拿了三十塊銀子,就是以色列人給他估定的價錢, 10 用它買了‘陶匠的田’,正如主所指示我的。”

彼拉多判耶穌釘十字架(C)

11 耶穌站在總督面前,總督問他:“你是猶太人的王嗎?”耶穌回答:“這是你說的。” 12 祭司長和長老控告他的時候,他卻不回答。 13 彼拉多又問他:“他們作證指控你這麼多的事,你沒有聽見嗎?” 14 耶穌一句話也不回答他,令總督非常驚奇。

15 每逢這節期,總督有一個慣例,就是給群眾釋放一個他們要求釋放的囚犯。 16 那時,有個聲名狼藉的囚犯,名叫耶數.巴拉巴。 17 群眾聚集的時候,彼拉多問他們:“你們要我給你們釋放誰?耶數.巴拉巴或是稱為基督的耶穌呢?” 18 他知道他們是因為嫉妒才把耶穌交了來。 19 彼拉多坐在審判臺上的時候,他的夫人派人來說:“你不要干涉這個義人的事,因為昨夜我在夢中因他受了很多的苦。” 20 祭司長和長老慫恿群眾,叫他們去要求釋放巴拉巴,除掉耶穌。 21 總督問他們:“這兩個人,你們要我給你們釋放哪一個?”他們說:“巴拉巴!” 22 彼拉多對他們說:“那麼,我怎樣處置那稱為基督的耶穌呢?”他們齊聲說:“把他釘十字架!” 23 彼拉多說:“為甚麼呢?他作了甚麼惡事呢?”眾人更加大聲喊叫:“把他釘十字架!” 24 彼拉多見無濟於事,反會引起騷動,就拿水在群眾面前洗手,說:“流這人的血,與我無關,你們自己負責吧。” 25 群眾回答:“流他的血的責任,歸在我們和我們子孫的身上吧。” 26 於是彼拉多給他們釋放了巴拉巴;他把耶穌鞭打了,就交給他們釘十字架。

士兵戲弄耶穌(D)

27 總督的士兵把耶穌帶到總督府,召集全隊士兵到他面前。 28 他們脫去他的衣服,給他披上朱紅色的外袍, 29 又用荊棘編成冠冕,戴在他的頭上,把一根蘆葦放在他的右手,跪在他面前譏笑他說:“猶太人的王萬歲!” 30 然後向他吐唾沫,又拿起蘆葦打他的頭。 31 戲弄完了,就脫下他的外袍,給他穿回自己的衣服,帶去釘十字架。

耶穌被釘十字架(E)

32 他們出來的時候,遇見一個古利奈人,名叫西門,就強迫他背耶穌的十字架。 33 到了一個地方,名叫各各他,就是“髑髏地”的意思, 34 他們把苦膽調和的酒給他喝,他嘗了卻不肯喝。 35 士兵把他釘了十字架,就抽籤分他的衣服, 36 然後坐在那裡看守他。 37 他們在耶穌的頭以上,釘了一塊牌子,寫著他的罪狀:“這是猶太人的王耶穌”。 38 當時,有兩個強盜和他一同釘十字架,一個在右,一個在左。 39 過路的人嘲笑他,搖著頭說: 40 “你這個想拆毀聖所,三日之內又把它建造起來的,救救自己吧!如果你是 神的兒子,從十字架上下來吧!” 41 祭司長、經學家和長老也同樣譏笑他,說: 42 “他救了別人,卻不能救自己。如果他是以色列的王,現在可以從十字架上下來,我們就信他。 43 他信靠 神;如果 神喜悅他,就讓 神現在救他吧,因為他說自己是 神的兒子。” 44 和他一同釘十字架的強盜也都這樣侮辱他。

耶穌死時的情形(F)

45 從正午到下午三點鐘,遍地都黑暗了。 46 大約三點鐘,耶穌大聲呼叫:“以利,以利,拉馬撒巴各大尼?”意思是“我的 神,我的 神,你為甚麼離棄我?” 47 有幾個站在那裡的人,聽見了就說:“這個人在呼叫以利亞呢。” 48 有一個人馬上跑去拿海綿蘸滿了酸酒,用蘆葦遞給他喝。 49 但其他的人說:“等一等,我們看看以利亞來不來救他。” 50 耶穌再大聲呼叫,氣就斷了。 51 忽然,聖所裡的幔子從上到下裂成兩半;地面震動,石頭崩裂; 52 而且墳墓開了,許多睡了的聖徒的身體也復活了, 53 從墳墓裡出來;到了耶穌復活之後,他們進到聖城向許多人顯現。 54 百夫長和跟他一起看守耶穌的士兵,看見了地震和所發生的事情,就十分懼怕,說:“這個人真是 神的兒子。” 55 有許多婦女在那裡遠遠地觀看;她們是從加利利開始跟隨耶穌服事他的。 56 她們中間有抹大拉的馬利亞、雅各和約西的母親馬利亞,以及西庇太的兒子的母親。

耶穌葬在新墳墓裡(G)

57 到了晚上,有一個亞利馬太的富翁來到,他名叫約瑟,是耶穌的門徒。 58 這個人去見彼拉多,請求領取耶穌的身體,彼拉多就吩咐給他。 59 約瑟領了耶穌的身體,用乾淨的細麻布裹好, 60 放在自己的新墳墓裡,就是在磐石裡鑿出來的。他輥了一塊大石頭來擋住墓門,然後才離開。 61 抹大拉的馬利亞和另一個馬利亞都在那裡,對著墳墓坐著。

衛兵嚴密看守墳墓

62 第二天,就是過了“預備日”的那一天,祭司長和法利賽人去見彼拉多,說: 63 “大人,我們想起那個騙子,生前說過:‘三天之後,我要復活。’ 64 所以請你下令把墳墓嚴密看守,直到第三天,免得他的門徒來把他偷去,然後對民眾說:‘他從死人中復活了。’這樣,日後的騙局比起初的就更大了。” 65 彼拉多對他們說:“你們帶著衛兵,盡你們所能的去嚴密看守吧。” 66 他們就去把墓前的石封好,又派衛兵把守,嚴密地守住墳墓。

27 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

36 And sitting down they watched him there;

37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.

38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.

57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

Judas Hangs Himself

27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed.(A) So they bound him, led him away and handed him over(B) to Pilate the governor.(C)

When Judas, who had betrayed him,(D) saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver(E) to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”(F)

So Judas threw the money into the temple(G) and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.(H)

The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood(I) to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:(J) “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”[a](K)

Jesus Before Pilate(L)

11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”(M)

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.(N) 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”(O) 14 But Jesus made no reply,(P) not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner(Q) chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[b] Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(R) 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat,(S) his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent(T) man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream(U) because of him.”

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.(V)

21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(W) Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar(X) was starting, he took water and washed his hands(Y) in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”(Z) he said. “It is your responsibility!”(AA)

25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”(AB)

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged,(AC) and handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus(AD)

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium(AE) and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,(AF) 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.(AG) 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.(AH) 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.(AI)

The Crucifixion of Jesus(AJ)

32 As they were going out,(AK) they met a man from Cyrene,(AL) named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.(AM) 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).(AN) 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall;(AO) but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(AP) 36 And sitting down, they kept watch(AQ) over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him,(AR) one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads(AS) 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,(AT) save yourself!(AU) Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”(AV) 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel!(AW) Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe(AX) in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him(AY) now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus(AZ)

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness(BA) came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[d](BB)

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar,(BC) put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.(BD)

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple(BE) was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split(BF) 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city(BG) and appeared to many people.

54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding(BH) Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”(BI)

55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.(BJ) 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[f] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.(BK)

The Burial of Jesus(BL)

57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb(BM) that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’(BN) 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body(BO) and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “Take a guard,”(BP) Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal(BQ) on the stone(BR) and posting the guard.(BS)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:10 See Zech. 11:12,13; Jer. 19:1-13; 32:6-9.
  2. Matthew 27:16 Many manuscripts do not have Jesus; also in verse 17.
  3. Matthew 27:46 Some manuscripts Eloi, Eloi
  4. Matthew 27:46 Psalm 22:1
  5. Matthew 27:53 Or tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they
  6. Matthew 27:56 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph