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Judas Hangs Himself

27 Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”

“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”

Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.”[a] After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says,

“They took[b] the thirty pieces of silver—
    the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,
10 and purchased the potter’s field,
    as the Lord directed.[c]

Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him.

Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.

15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas.[d] 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)

19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.”

20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?”

The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”

22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”

They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

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

But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”

25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”[e]

26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters[f] and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

32 Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene,[g] and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. 33 And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 34 The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.

35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[h] 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37 A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Two revolutionaries[i] were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.

The Death of Jesus

45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[j] lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”[k]

47 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. 49 But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”[l]

50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

54 The Roman officer[m] and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

The Burial of Jesus

57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. 61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, on the Sabbath,[n] the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”

65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

Footnotes

  1. 27:6 Greek since it is the price for blood.
  2. 27:9 Or I took.
  3. 27:9-10 Greek as the Lord directed me. Zech 11:12-13; Jer 32:6-9.
  4. 27:16 Some manuscripts read Jesus Barabbas; also in 27:17.
  5. 27:25 Greek “His blood be on us and on our children.”
  6. 27:27 Or into the Praetorium.
  7. 27:32 Cyrene was a city in northern Africa.
  8. 27:35 Greek by casting lots. A few late manuscripts add This fulfilled the word of the prophet: “They divided my garments among themselves and cast lots for my robe.” See Ps 22:18.
  9. 27:38 Or criminals; also in 27:44.
  10. 27:46a Some manuscripts read Eloi, Eloi.
  11. 27:46b Ps 22:1.
  12. 27:49 Some manuscripts add And another took a spear and pierced his side, and out flowed water and blood. Compare John 19:34.
  13. 27:54 Greek The centurion.
  14. 27:62 Or On the next day, which is after the Preparation.

Judas’ Remorse

27 (A)Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel together against Jesus to put Him to death; and they bound Him, and led Him away and (B)delivered Him to (C)Pilate the governor.

Then when (D)Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned (E)the [a]thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? (F)See to that yourself!” And he threw the pieces of silver into (G)the [b]sanctuary and departed; and (H)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 temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” And taking counsel together, they bought [c]with the money the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. (I)For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “(J)And [d]they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; 10 (K)and [e]they gave them for the Potters Field, as the [f]Lord directed me.”

Jesus Before Pilate

11 (L)Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the (M)King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, (N)You yourself say it.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, (O)He did not answer. 13 Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” 14 And (P)He did not answer him with regard to even a single [g]charge, so the governor marveled greatly.

15 (Q)Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? [h]Barabbas, or Jesus (R)who is called [i]Christ?” 18 For he knew that because of envy they had delivered Him over.

19 (S)Now while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that (T)righteous Man; for [j]last night I suffered greatly (U)in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to (V)ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 But the governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate *said to them, “Then, what shall I do with Jesus (W)who is called [k]Christ?” They all *said, “Let Him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil did He do?” But they were crying out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

24 Now when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that (X)a riot was starting, he took water and (Y)washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of (Z)this man’s blood; (AA)see to that yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered and said, “(AB)His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas [l]for them; but after having Jesus (AC)scourged, he delivered Him over to be crucified.

Jesus Is Mocked

27 (AD)Then when the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into (AE)the [m]Praetorium, they gathered the whole Roman [n](AF)cohort around Him. 28 And they stripped Him and (AG)put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 (AH)And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a [o]reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “(AI)Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 (AJ)And they spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. 31 (AK)When they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

32 (AL)And as they were coming out, they found a man of (AM)Cyrene named Simon, [p]whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.

The Crucifixion

33 (AN)And when they came to a place called (AO)Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34 (AP)they gave Him (AQ)wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He did not want to drink.

35 And when they had crucified Him, (AR)they divided up His garments among themselves by casting [q]lots. 36 And sitting down, they began to (AS)keep watch over Him there. 37 And above His head they put up the charge against Him [r]which read, “(AT)THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

38 At that time two robbers *were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those passing by were blaspheming Him, (AU)shaking their heads 40 and saying, “(AV)You who are going to destroy the sanctuary and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! (AW)If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 (AX)He saved others; [s]He cannot save Himself. (AY)He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 (AZ)He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He [t]delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 (BA)And the robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.

45 (BB)Now from the [u]sixth hour darkness [v]fell upon all the land until the [w]ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, (BC)Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 47 And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 (BD)And immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. 49 But the rest of them were saying, “[x]Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him[y].” 50 And Jesus (BE)cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 (BF)And behold, (BG)the [z]veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom; and (BH)the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 And the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the [aa]saints who had (BI)fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered (BJ)the holy city and appeared to many. 54 (BK)Now the centurion, and those who were with him (BL)keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw (BM)the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was (BN)God’s Son!”

55 (BO)And many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while [ab](BP)ministering to Him. 56 Among them was (BQ)Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and (BR)the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Jesus Is Buried

57 (BS)Now when it was evening, 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 ordered it to be given to him. 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 (BT)a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 And (BU)Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.

62 Now on the next day, [ac]the day after (BV)the [ad]Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘(BW)After three days I am to rise again.’ 64 Therefore, order for the grave to be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a (BX)guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 And they went and made the grave secure, and along with (BY)the guard they set a (BZ)seal on (CA)the stone.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:3 Silver shekels, approx. 120 days of a laborer’s wages
  2. Matthew 27:5 The inner part of the temple
  3. Matthew 27:7 Lit from them
  4. Matthew 27:9 Or I took, cf. Zech 11:13
  5. Matthew 27:10 Some early mss I gave
  6. Matthew 27:10 In OT, Yahweh, cf. Zech 11:13
  7. Matthew 27:14 Lit word
  8. Matthew 27:17 Some mss Jesus Barabbas
  9. Matthew 27:17 Messiah
  10. Matthew 27:19 Lit today
  11. Matthew 27:22 Messiah
  12. Matthew 27:26 Or to them
  13. Matthew 27:27 Governor’s official residence
  14. Matthew 27:27 Normally 600 men (the number varied); or battalion
  15. Matthew 27:29 Or staff
  16. Matthew 27:32 Lit this one
  17. Matthew 27:35 Lit a lot
  18. Matthew 27:37 Lit written
  19. Matthew 27:42 Or can He not save Himself?
  20. Matthew 27:43 Or takes pleasure in, cares for
  21. Matthew 27:45 Noon
  22. Matthew 27:45 Or occurred
  23. Matthew 27:45 3 p.m.
  24. Matthew 27:49 Lit Permit that we see
  25. Matthew 27:49 Some early mss add And another took a spear and pierced His side, and there came out water and blood, cf. John 19:34
  26. Matthew 27:51 Or curtain
  27. Matthew 27:52 Or holy ones
  28. Matthew 27:55 Or caring for Him
  29. Matthew 27:62 Lit which is after
  30. Matthew 27:62 Preparation for the Sabbath