犹大的下场

27 到了清晨,众祭司长和民间的长老商定要处死耶稣。 他们把祂绑起来,押送到总督彼拉多那里。

出卖耶稣的犹大看见耶稣被定了罪,感到很后悔,就把那三十块银子还给祭司长和长老,说: “我出卖了清白无辜的人,我犯罪了!”

他们说:“那是你自己的事,跟我们有什么关系?”

犹大把钱扔在圣殿里,出去上吊自尽了。

祭司长们捡起银子,说:“这是血钱,不可收进圣殿的库房。” 他们商议,决定用这些钱买下陶匠的地作为埋葬异乡人的坟场。 那块地至今被称为“血田”。 这就应验了耶利米先知的话:“他们用以色列人给祂估定的三十块银子, 10 买了陶匠的一块田,正如主指示我的。”

耶稣在彼拉多面前受审

11 耶稣站在总督面前受审。总督问:“你是犹太人的王吗?”

耶稣说:“如你所言。”

12 当祭司长和长老控告祂时,祂一句话也不说。 13 彼拉多就问:“你没听见他们对你的诸多控告吗?” 14 耶稣仍然一言不发,彼拉多感到十分惊奇。

15 每逢逾越节,总督会照惯例按民众的选择释放一个犯人。 16 那时,有一个恶名昭彰的囚犯名叫巴拉巴。 17 百姓聚在一起的时候,彼拉多就问他们:“你们要我给你们释放谁?巴拉巴还是被称为基督的耶稣?” 18 因为彼拉多知道他们把耶稣抓来是因为嫉妒。

19 彼拉多正坐堂断案时,他夫人派人来对他说:“你不要插手这个义人的事!我今天在梦中因为这个人受了许多苦。”

20 祭司长和长老却怂恿百姓要求释放巴拉巴,处死耶稣。 21 总督再次问百姓:“这两个人,你们要我释放哪一个?”他们说:“巴拉巴!”

22 彼拉多问:“那么,我怎样处置那个被称为基督的耶稣呢?”

他们齐声说:“把祂钉在十字架上!”

23 彼拉多问:“为什么?祂犯了什么罪?”

他们却更大声地喊叫:“把祂钉在十字架上!”

24 彼拉多见再说也无济于事,反而会引起骚乱,于是拿了一盆水来,在众人面前洗手,说:“流这义人的血,罪不在我,你们自己负责。”

25 众人都说:“流祂血的责任由我们和我们的子孙承担!”

26 于是,彼拉多为他们释放了巴拉巴,下令将耶稣鞭打后,带出去钉十字架。

耶稣受辱

27 士兵把耶稣押进总督府,叫全营的士兵都聚集在祂周围。 28 他们剥下耶稣的衣服,替祂披上一件朱红色的长袍, 29 用荆棘编成冠冕,戴在祂头上,又拿一根苇秆放在祂右手里,跪在祂跟前戏弄祂,说:“犹太人的王万岁!” 30 然后向祂吐唾沫,拿过苇秆打祂的头。 31 他们戏弄完了,就脱去祂的袍子,给祂穿上原来的衣服,把祂押出去钉十字架。

钉十字架

32 路上,他们遇见一个叫西门的古利奈人,就强迫他背耶稣的十字架。

33 来到一个地方,名叫各各他——意思是“髑髅地”, 34 士兵给耶稣喝掺了苦胆汁的酒,祂尝了一口,不肯喝。

35 他们把耶稣钉在十字架上,还抽签分了祂的衣服, 36 然后坐在那里看守。 37 他们在祂头顶上挂了一个牌子,上面写着祂的罪状:“这是犹太人的王耶稣”。 38 有两个强盗也被钉在十字架上,一个在祂右边,一个在祂左边。 39 过路的人都嘲笑祂,摇着头说: 40 “你这声称把圣殿拆毁又在三天内重建的人啊,救救自己吧!你要是上帝的儿子,就从十字架上下来吧!”

41 祭司长、律法教师和长老也嘲讽说: 42 “祂救了别人,却救不了自己!祂要是以色列的王,就从十字架上跳下来吧!我们就信祂。 43 祂说信靠上帝,如果上帝喜悦祂,就让上帝来救祂吧!因为祂自称是上帝的儿子。” 44 甚至跟祂一同被钉十字架的强盗也这样嘲笑祂。

耶稣之死

45 从正午一直到下午三点,黑暗笼罩着整个大地。 46 大约下午三点,耶稣大声呼喊:“以利,以利,拉马撒巴各大尼?”意思是:“我的上帝,我的上帝,你为什么离弃我?”

47 有些站在旁边的人听见了,就说:“这人在呼叫以利亚呢。” 48 其中一人连忙跑去拿了一块海绵,蘸满酸酒,绑在苇秆上送给祂喝。 49 其他人却说:“等一下!我们看看以利亚会不会来救祂。”

50 耶稣又大喊了一声,就断了气。

51 就在那时,圣殿里的幔子从上到下裂成两半,大地震动,岩石崩裂, 52 坟墓打开,很多死去的圣徒复活过来。 53 他们在耶稣复活后离开坟墓,进圣城向许多人显现。

54 看守耶稣的百夫长和士兵看见地震及所发生的一切,都很害怕,说:“这人真是上帝的儿子啊!” 55 有好些妇女在远处观看,她们从加利利就跟随了耶稣,服侍祂。 56 其中有抹大拉的玛丽亚、雅各和约西的母亲玛丽亚以及西庇太两个儿子的母亲。

封石守墓

57 傍晚,从亚利马太来了一位名叫约瑟的富人,他是耶稣的门徒。 58 他去求见彼拉多,要求领取耶稣的遗体,彼拉多就下令把耶稣的遗体交给他。 59 约瑟领了遗体,用干净的细麻布裹好, 60 安放在他为自己在岩壁上凿出的新墓穴里,并滚来一块大石头封闭墓穴的入口,然后离去。 61 那时,抹大拉的玛丽亚和另一个玛丽亚坐在坟墓的对面。

62 第二天,就是预备日之后的那天,祭司长和法利赛人一起来见彼拉多,说: 63 “总督大人,我们记得那个骗子生前曾说,‘三天之后,我必复活。’ 64 所以请你命人看守坟墓三天,以防祂的门徒偷走祂的尸体,然后对百姓说祂已经从死里复活。这样的迷惑会比以前的更厉害!”

65 彼拉多说:“你们带上卫兵,去那里严加看守。”

66 他们就带着卫兵去了,在墓口的石头上贴上封条,派人看守墓穴。

27 Now when morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pilate the governor.

Then Judas, who [a]betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I [b]betrayed [c]innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it. And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the [d]treasury, since 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 through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, [e]And [f]they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, [g]whom certain of the children of Israel did price; 10 and [h]they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.

11 Now 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 by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then saith Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he gave him no answer, not even to one word: insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 15 Now at [i]the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him up. 19 And while he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 But the governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? And they said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What then shall I do unto Jesus who is called Christ? They all say, Let him be crucified. 23 And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified. 24 So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent [j]of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it. 25 And all the people answered and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26 Then released he unto them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the [k]Praetorium, and gathered unto him the whole [l]band. 28 And they [m]stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29 And they platted a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30 And they spat upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the robe, and put on him his garments, and led him away to crucify him.

32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they [n]compelled to go with them, that he might bear his cross.

33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, The place of a skull, 34 they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted it, he would not drink. 35 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots; 36 and they sat and watched him there. 37 And they set up over his head his accusation written, This is Jesus the King of the Jews. 38 Then are there crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left. 39 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, 40 and saying, Thou that destroyest the [o]temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 In like manner also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; [p]himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him. 43 He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 And the robbers also that were crucified with him cast upon him the same reproach.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the [q]land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, [r]Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, [s]why hast thou forsaken me? 47 And some of them that stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 And the rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save him.[t] 50 And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the veil of the [u]temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent; 52 and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many. 54 Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was [v]the Son of God. 55 And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of [w]James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57 And when even was come, there came a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: 58 this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded it to be given up. 59 And Joseph took the body, and 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 tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

62 Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate, 63 saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, [x]Ye have a guard: go, [y]make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:3 See marginal note on 10:4.
  2. Matthew 27:4 See marginal note on 10:4.
  3. Matthew 27:4 Many ancient authorities read righteous.
  4. Matthew 27:6 Greek corbanas, that is, sacred treasury. Compare Mk. 7:11.
  5. Matthew 27:9 Zech. 11:12, 13.
  6. Matthew 27:9 Or, I took
  7. Matthew 27:9 Or, whom they priced on the part of the sons of Israel
  8. Matthew 27:10 Some ancient authorities read I gave.
  9. Matthew 27:15 Or, a feast
  10. Matthew 27:24 Some ancient authorities read of this blood: see ye etc.
  11. Matthew 27:27 Or, palace See Mk. 15:16.
  12. Matthew 27:27 Or, cohort
  13. Matthew 27:28 Some ancient authorities read clothed.
  14. Matthew 27:32 Greek impressed.
  15. Matthew 27:40 Or, sanctuary
  16. Matthew 27:42 Or, can he not save himself?
  17. Matthew 27:45 Or, earth
  18. Matthew 27:46 Ps. 22:1.
  19. Matthew 27:46 Or, why didst thou forsake me?
  20. Matthew 27:49 Many ancient authorities add And another took a spear and pierced his side, and there came out water and blood. See Jn. 19:34.
  21. Matthew 27:51 Or, sanctuary
  22. Matthew 27:54 Or, a son of God
  23. Matthew 27:56 Or, Jacob
  24. Matthew 27:65 Or, Take a guard
  25. Matthew 27:65 Greek make it sure, as ye know.

Jesus Brought before Pilate

27 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death; and they bound him and led him away and delivered him to Pilate the governor.

The Suicide of Judas

When Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.” So they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

Pilate Questions Jesus

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge; so that the governor wondered greatly.

Barabbas or Jesus?

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner, called Barab′bas.[a] 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Barab′bas[b] or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much over him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the people to ask for Barab′bas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barab′bas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified.” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified.”

Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this righteous man’s blood;[c] see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barab′bas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, 29 and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head, and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

32 As they were marching out, they came upon a man of Cyre′ne, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Gol′gotha (which means the place of a skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots; 36 then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

The Death of Jesus

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land[d] until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, la′ma sabach-tha′ni?” that is, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”[e] 47 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “This man is calling Eli′jah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Eli′jah will come to save him.”[f] 50 And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; 52 the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe, and said, “Truly this was the Son[g] of God!”

55 There were also many women there, looking on from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him; 56 among whom were Mary Mag′dalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zeb′edee.

The Burial of Jesus

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathe′a, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 Mary Mag′dalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulchre.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 Next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that imposter said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Therefore order the sepulchre to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard[h] of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.”[i] 66 So they went and made the sepulchre secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.[j]

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:16 Other ancient authorities read Jesus Barabbas
  2. Matthew 27:17 Other ancient authorities read Jesus Barabbas
  3. Matthew 27:24 Other authorities omit righteous or man’s
  4. Matthew 27:45 Or earth
  5. 27.46 Jesus applies Psalm 22 (Vulgate 21) to himself.
  6. Matthew 27:49 Other ancient authorities insert And another took a spear and pierced his side, and out came water and blood
  7. Matthew 27:54 Or a son
  8. Matthew 27:65 Or Take a guard
  9. Matthew 27:65 Greek know
  10. 27.66 The sealing and guarding only helped to make the subsequent resurrection more obvious.

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