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。

Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate(A)

27 When morning came, (B)all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and (C)delivered Him to [a]Pontius Pilate the governor.

Judas Hangs Himself(D)

(E)Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty (F)pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”

And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!

Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and (G)departed, and went and hanged himself.

But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called (H)the Field of Blood to this day.

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, (I)“And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, 10 and (J)gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

Jesus Faces Pilate(K)

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor. (L)And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

Jesus said to him, (M)It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, (N)He answered nothing.

13 Then Pilate said to Him, (O)“Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

Taking the Place of Barabbas(P)

15 (Q)Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called [b]Barabbas. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of (R)envy.

19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

20 (S)But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

They said, (T)“Barabbas!”

22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”

23 Then the governor said, (U)“Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a [c]tumult was rising, he (V)took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this [d]just Person. You see to it.

25 And all the people answered and said, (W)“His blood be on us and on our children.”

26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when (X)he had [e]scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus(Y)

27 (Z)Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the [f]Praetorium and gathered the whole [g]garrison around Him. 28 And they (AA)stripped Him and (AB)put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 (AC)When they had [h]twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on 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 Then (AD)they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, (AE)and led Him away to be crucified.

The King on a Cross(AF)

32 (AG)Now as they came out, (AH)they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. 33 (AI)And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, 34 (AJ)they gave Him [i]sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.

35 (AK)Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, [j]that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:

(AL)“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”

36 (AM)Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. 37 And they (AN)put up over His head the accusation written against Him:

THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 (AO)Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.

39 And (AP)those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, (AQ)“You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! (AR)If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

41 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the [k]scribes and elders, said, 42 “He (AS)saved others; Himself He cannot save. [l]If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe [m]Him. 43 (AT)He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

44 (AU)Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Jesus Dies on the Cross(AV)

45 (AW)Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour (AX)Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, (AY)“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, (AZ)filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.

49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.”

50 And Jesus (BA)cried out again with a loud voice, and (BB)yielded up His spirit.

51 Then, behold, (BC)the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

54 (BD)So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, (BE)“Truly this was the Son of God!”

55 And many women (BF)who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, 56 (BG)among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and [n]Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb(BH)

57 Now (BI)when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and (BJ)laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting [o]opposite the tomb.

Pilate Sets a Guard

62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, (BK)‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come [p]by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, (BL)sealing the stone and setting the guard.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:2 NU omits Pontius
  2. Matthew 27:16 NU Jesus Barabbas
  3. Matthew 27:24 an uproar
  4. Matthew 27:24 NU omits just
  5. Matthew 27:26 flogged with a Roman scourge
  6. Matthew 27:27 The governor’s headquarters
  7. Matthew 27:27 cohort
  8. Matthew 27:29 Lit. woven
  9. Matthew 27:34 NU omits sour
  10. Matthew 27:35 NU, M omit the rest of v. 35.
  11. Matthew 27:41 M scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders
  12. Matthew 27:42 NU omits If
  13. Matthew 27:42 NU, M in Him
  14. Matthew 27:56 NU Joseph
  15. Matthew 27:61 in front of
  16. Matthew 27:64 NU omits by night

Jesús ante Pilato (Mc 15,1; Lc 23,1-2; Jn 18,28-32)

27 Al amanecer el nuevo día, los jefes de los sacerdotes y los ancianos del pueblo tomaron el acuerdo de matar a Jesús. Lo llevaron atado y se lo entregaron a Pilato, el gobernador.

Muerte de Judas (Hch 1,18-19)

Entre tanto, Judas, el que lo había entregado, al ver que habían condenado a Jesús, se llenó de remordimientos y fue a devolver las treinta monedas de plata a los jefes de los sacerdotes y a los ancianos diciendo:

— ¡He pecado entregando a un inocente!

Ellos le contestaron:

— Eso es asunto tuyo y no nuestro.

Judas arrojó entonces el dinero en el Templo. Luego fue y se ahorcó. Los jefes de los sacerdotes recogieron aquellas monedas y dijeron:

— Este dinero está manchado de sangre. No podemos ponerlo en el cofre de las ofrendas.

Así que acordaron emplearlo para comprar un terreno conocido como el Campo del Alfarero y destinarlo a cementerio de extranjeros. Por esta razón, aquel campo recibió el nombre de Campo de Sangre, que es el que ha conservado hasta el día de hoy. Así se cumplió lo dicho por medio del profeta Jeremías: Tomaron las treinta monedas de plata, que fue el precio de aquel a quien tasaron los israelitas, 10 y compraron con ellas el campo del alfarero, de acuerdo con lo que el Señor me había ordenado.

Pilato interroga a Jesús (Mc 15,1-5; Lc 23,3-5; Jn 18,33)

11 Jesús compareció ante el gobernador, el cual le preguntó:

— ¿Eres tú el rey de los judíos?

Jesús le contestó:

— Tú lo dices.

12 Y ya no habló más, a pesar de que los sacerdotes y los ancianos no dejaban de acusarlo.

13 Pilato le preguntó:

— ¿No oyes lo que estos están testificando contra ti?

14 Pero Jesús no le contestó ni una palabra, de manera que el gobernador se quedó muy extrañado.

Jesús sentenciado a muerte (Mc 15,6-15; Lc 23,13-25; Jn 18,39-40; 19,1.4-16)

15 En la fiesta de la Pascua, el gobernador romano solía conceder la libertad a un preso, el que la gente escogía. 16 Tenía en aquel momento un preso famoso, llamado Jesús Barrabás. 17 Viendo reunido al pueblo, Pilato preguntó:

— ¿A quién quieren ustedes que ponga en libertad: a Jesús Barrabás o a ese Jesús a quien llaman Mesías?

18 Y es que sabía que a Jesús lo habían entregado por envidia. 19 Mientras el gobernador estaba sentado en el tribunal, su esposa le envió este recado: “Ese hombre es inocente. No te hagas responsable de lo que le suceda. Esta noche he tenido pesadillas horribles por causa suya”. 20 Pero los jefes de los sacerdotes y los ancianos convencieron a la gente para que pidiera la libertad de Barrabás y la muerte de Jesús. 21 El gobernador volvió a preguntar:

— ¿A cuál de estos dos quieren que conceda la libertad?

Ellos contestaron:

— ¡A Barrabás!

22 Pilato les dijo:

— ¿Y qué quieren que haga con Jesús, a quien llaman Mesías?

Todos contestaron:

— ¡Crucifícalo!

23 Insistió Pilato:

— ¿Cuál es su delito?

Pero ellos gritaban cada vez con más fuerza:

— ¡Crucifícalo!

24 Pilato, al ver que nada adelantaba sino que el alboroto crecía por momentos, mandó que le trajeran agua y se lavó las manos en presencia de todos, proclamando:

— ¡Yo no me hago responsable de la muerte de este hombre! ¡Allá ustedes!

25 Y todo el pueblo a una respondió:

— ¡De su muerte nos hacemos responsables nosotros y nuestros hijos!

26 Entonces Pilato ordenó que pusieran en libertad a Barrabás, y les entregó a Jesús para que lo azotaran y lo crucificaran.

Los soldados se burlan de Jesús (Mc 15,16-20; Jn 19,2-3)

27 Acto seguido, los soldados del gobernador introdujeron a Jesús en el palacio y, después de reunir toda la tropa a su alrededor, 28 le quitaron sus ropas y le echaron un manto de color rojo sobre los hombros; 29 le pusieron en la cabeza una corona de espinas y una caña en su mano derecha. Después, hincándose de rodillas delante de él, le hacían burla, gritando:

— ¡Viva el rey de los judíos!

30 Y lo escupían y lo golpeaban con la caña en la cabeza. 31 Después de haberse burlado de él, le quitaron la túnica, lo vistieron con sus propias ropas y se lo llevaron para crucificarlo.

Jesús es crucificado (Mc 15,21-32; Lc 23,26-43; Jn 19.17-27)

32 Cuando salían, encontraron a un tal Simón, natural de Cirene, y lo obligaron a cargar con la cruz de Jesús. 33 Llegados al lugar llamado Gólgota (o sea, lugar de la Calavera), 34 ofrecieron a Jesús vino mezclado con hiel; pero él, después de probarlo, no quiso beberlo.

35 Los que lo habían crucificado se repartieron sus ropas echándolas a suertes, 36 y se quedaron allí sentados para vigilarlo. 37 Por encima de la cabeza de Jesús fijaron un letrero con la causa de su condena; decía: “Este es Jesús, el rey de los judíos”. 38 Al mismo tiempo que a Jesús, crucificaron a dos ladrones, uno a su derecha y el otro a su izquierda. 39 Los que pasaban lo insultaban 40 y, meneando la cabeza, decían:

— ¡Tú que derribas el Templo y en tres días vuelves a edificarlo, sálvate a ti mismo! ¡Baja de la cruz si eres el Hijo de Dios!

41 De igual manera, los jefes de los sacerdotes, los maestros de la ley y los ancianos se burlaban de él diciendo:

42 — Ha salvado a otros, pero no puede salvarse a sí mismo. Que baje ahora mismo de la cruz ese rey de Israel y creeremos en él. 43 Puesto que ha confiado en Dios, que Dios lo salve ahora, si es que de verdad lo ama. ¿Acaso no afirmaba que es el Hijo de Dios?

44 Hasta los ladrones que estaban crucificados junto a él lo llenaban de insultos.

Muerte de Jesús (Mc 15,33-41; Lc 23,44-49; Jn 19,28-30)

45 Desde el mediodía, toda la tierra quedó sumida en oscuridad hasta las tres de la tarde. 46 Hacia esa hora Jesús gritó con fuerza:

Elí, Elí, ¿lemá sabaqtaní?, es decir: “Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?”.

47 Lo oyeron algunos de los que estaban allí y comentaron:

— Está llamando a Elías.

48 Al punto, uno de ellos fue corriendo a buscar una esponja, la empapó en vinagre y sirviéndose de una caña se la acercó a Jesús para que bebiera. 49 Pero los otros le decían:

— Deja, veamos si viene Elías a salvarlo.

50 Jesús, entonces, lanzando otra vez un fuerte gritó, expiró.

51 De pronto, la cortina del Templo se rasgó en dos de arriba abajo; la tierra tembló y las rocas se resquebrajaron; 52 las tumbas se abrieron y resucitaron muchos creyentes ya difuntos. 53 Estos salieron de sus tumbas y, después de la resurrección de Jesús, entraron en la ciudad santa donde se aparecieron a mucha gente.

54 El oficial del ejército romano y los que estaban con él vigilando a Jesús, al ver el terremoto y todo lo que estaba sucediendo, exclamaron sobrecogidos de espanto:

— ¡Verdaderamente, este era Hijo de Dios!

55 Había también allí muchas mujeres contemplándolo todo de lejos. Eran las que habían seguido a Jesús desde Galilea para atenderlo. 56 Entre ellas se encontraban María Magdalena, María la madre de Santiago y de José, y la madre de los hijos de Zebedeo.

Jesús es sepultado (Mc 13,42-47; Lc 23,50-56; Jn 19,38-42)

57 Al atardecer llegó un hombre rico llamado José, natural de Arimatea, que se contaba también entre los seguidores de Jesús. 58 Este hombre se presentó a Pilato y le pidió el cuerpo de Jesús. Pilato ordenó que se lo entregaran, 59 y José, después de envolverlo en una sábana limpia, 60 lo puso en un sepulcro nuevo que había hecho excavar en la roca. Después hizo rodar una gran piedra, cerrando con ella la entrada del sepulcro, y se marchó. 61 Entre tanto, María Magdalena y la otra María estaban allí sentadas frente al sepulcro.

El sepulcro bajo custodia

62 A la mañana siguiente, cuando ya había pasado el día de preparación, los jefes de los sacerdotes y los fariseos fueron juntos a ver a Pilato, 63 y le dijeron:

— Señor, nos hemos acordado de que aquel embaucador, cuando aún vivía, afirmó que iba a resucitar al tercer día. 64 Por eso debes ordenar que se asegure el sepulcro hasta que haya pasado el tercer día, no sea que sus seguidores vayan y roben el cuerpo, y luego digan al pueblo que ha resucitado. De donde el último engaño resultaría más grave que el primero.

65 Pilato les contestó:

— Ahí tienen un piquete de soldados; vayan ustedes mismos y aseguren el sepulcro como mejor les parezca.

66 Ellos fueron y aseguraron el sepulcro. Sellaron la piedra que lo cerraba y dejaron allí el piquete de soldados.

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