Matthew 26:47-27:56
New American Standard Bible
Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
47 (A)And while He was still speaking, behold, (B)Judas, one of the twelve, came [a]accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him.” 49 And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, (C)Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “(D)Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.
51 And behold, (E)one of those who were with Jesus [b]reached and drew his (F)sword, and struck the (G)slave of the high priest and [c]cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus *said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for (H)all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve [d](I)legions of (J)angels? 54 How then would (K)the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”
55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a man inciting a revolt? (L)Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me. 56 But all this has taken place so that (M)the Scriptures of the prophets will be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.
Jesus before Caiaphas
57 (N)Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to (O)Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But (P)Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the (Q)courtyard of the high priest, and he came inside and sat down with the [e](R)officers to see the outcome.
59 Now the chief priests and the entire [f](S)Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on (T)two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘(U)I am able to destroy the [g]temple of God and to rebuild it [h]in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You offer no answer for what these men are testifying against You?” 63 But (V)Jesus kept silent. (W)And the high priest said to Him, “I (X)place You under oath by (Y)the living God, to tell us whether You are the [i]Christ, (Z)the Son of God.” 64 Jesus *said to him, “(AA)You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see (AB)the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and (AC)coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest (AD)tore his [j]robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?” They answered, “(AE)He deserves death!”
67 (AF)Then they (AG)spit in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others [k]slapped Him, 68 and said, “(AH)Prophesy to us, You [l]Christ; who is the one who hit You?”
Peter’s Denials
69 (AI)Now Peter was sitting outside in the (AJ)courtyard, and a slave woman came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another slave woman saw him and *said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it, with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “You really are one of them as well, (AK)since even the way you talk [m]gives you away.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the statement that Jesus had [n]made: “(AL)Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Judas’ Remorse
27 (AM)Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; 2 and they bound Him and led Him away, and (AN)handed Him over to (AO)Pilate the governor.
3 Then when (AP)Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned (AQ)the thirty [o]pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? (AR)You shall see to it yourself!” 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into (AS)the temple sanctuary and left; and (AT)he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them in the temple treasury, since it is money paid for blood.” 7 And they conferred together and [p]with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8 (AU)For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “(AV)And [q]they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the One whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; 10 (AW)and [r]they gave them for the Potter’s Field, just as the Lord directed me.”
Jesus before Pilate
11 (AX)Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “So You are the (AY)King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “(AZ)It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, (BA)He did not offer any answer. 13 Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?” 14 And still (BB)He did not answer him in regard to even a single [s]charge, so the governor was greatly amazed.
15 (BC)Now at the Passover Feast the governor was accustomed to release for the [t]people 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: Barabbas, or Jesus (BD)who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was because of envy that [u]they had handed Him over.
19 And (BE)while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “See that you have nothing to do with that (BF)righteous Man; for [v]last night I suffered greatly (BG)in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to (BH)ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death. 21 And the governor [w]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 (BI)who is called Christ?” They all *said, “[x]Crucify Him!” 23 But he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” Yet they kept shouting all the more, saying, “[y]Crucify Him!”
24 Now when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that (BJ)a riot was starting, he took water and (BK)washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of (BL)this Man’s blood; (BM)you yourselves shall see.” 25 And all the people replied, “(BN)His blood shall be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas [z]for them; but after having Jesus (BO)flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
Jesus Is Mocked
27 (BP)Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into (BQ)the [aa]Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman [ab](BR)cohort to Him. 28 And they stripped Him and (BS)put a red [ac]cloak on Him. 29 (BT)And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a [ad]reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “(BU)Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And (BV)they spit on Him, and took the reed and beat Him on the head. 31 (BW)And after they had mocked Him, they took the cloak off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.
32 (BX)As they were coming out, they found a man of (BY)Cyrene named Simon, [ae]whom they compelled to carry His [af]cross.
The Crucifixion
33 (BZ)And when they came to a place called (CA)Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34 (CB)they gave Him (CC)wine mixed with [ag]bile to drink; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink it.
35 And when they had crucified Him, (CD)they divided His garments among themselves by casting [ah]lots. 36 And sitting down, they began to (CE)keep watch over Him there. 37 And above His head they put up the charge against Him [ai]which read, “(CF)THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
38 At that time two [aj]rebels *were being crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those passing by were [ak]speaking abusively to Him, (CG)shaking their heads, 40 and saying, “(CH)You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! (CI)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 “(CJ)He saved others; [al]He cannot save Himself! (CK)He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 (CL)He has trusted in God; let God rescue Him now, if He [am]takes pleasure in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 (CM)And the [an]rebels who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him in the same way.
45 (CN)Now from the [ao]sixth hour darkness [ap]fell upon all the land until the [aq]ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “(CO)Eli, Eli, lema sabaktanei?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” 47 And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 And (CP)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 said, “[ar]Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him[as].” 50 And Jesus (CQ)cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. 51 (CR)And behold, (CS)the [at]veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and (CT)the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 Also the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the [au]saints who had (CU)fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered (CV)the holy city and appeared to many. 54 (CW)Now as for the centurion and those who were with him (CX)keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw (CY)the earthquake and the other things that were happening, they became extremely frightened and said, “Truly this was [av](CZ)the Son of God!”
55 (DA)And many women were there watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while (DB)caring for Him. 56 Among them were (DC)Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and (DD)the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Footnotes
- Matthew 26:47 Lit and with him
- Matthew 26:51 Lit extended the hand
- Matthew 26:51 Lit took off
- Matthew 26:53 A legion equaled 6,000 troops
- Matthew 26:58 Or servants
- Matthew 26:59 Or Sanhedrin
- Matthew 26:61 Or sanctuary
- Matthew 26:61 Or after
- Matthew 26:63 I.e., Messiah
- Matthew 26:65 Or outer garments
- Matthew 26:67 Or possibly beat Him with rods
- Matthew 26:68 I.e., Messiah
- Matthew 26:73 Lit makes you evident
- Matthew 26:75 Lit said
- Matthew 27:3 Or silver shekels
- Matthew 27:7 Lit from them
- Matthew 27:9 Or I took; cf. Zech 11:13
- Matthew 27:10 Some early mss I gave
- Matthew 27:14 Lit word
- Matthew 27:15 Lit crowd
- Matthew 27:18 I.e., the Jewish leaders
- Matthew 27:19 Lit today
- Matthew 27:21 Lit answering, said to them
- Matthew 27:22 Lit Have Him crucified
- Matthew 27:23 Lit Have Him crucified
- Matthew 27:26 Or to them
- Matthew 27:27 I.e., the governor’s official residence
- Matthew 27:27 Normally 600 men (the number varied)
- Matthew 27:28 I.e., a Roman soldier’s cloak
- Matthew 27:29 Or staff; i.e., to mimic a king’s scepter
- Matthew 27:32 Lit this one
- Matthew 27:32 I.e., the crossbeam for a cross
- Matthew 27:34 Prob. referring to the taste of myrrh, added to lessen pain
- Matthew 27:35 Lit a lot
- Matthew 27:37 Lit written
- Matthew 27:38 Or robbers
- Matthew 27:39 Or blaspheming
- Matthew 27:42 Or can He not save Himself?
- Matthew 27:43 Or desires;
- Matthew 27:44 Or robbers
- Matthew 27:45 I.e., noon
- Matthew 27:45 Lit occurred
- Matthew 27:45 I.e., 3 p.m.
- Matthew 27:49 Lit Allow that we see
- Matthew 27:49 Some early mss And another took a spear and pierced His side, and there came out water and blood (cf. John 19:34)
- Matthew 27:51 Or curtain
- Matthew 27:52 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Matthew 27:54 Or a son of God; or a son of a god
Matthew 26:47-27:56
Amplified Bible
Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
47 As Jesus was still speaking, Judas [Iscariot], one of the twelve [disciples], came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, [who came as representatives] from the chief priests and elders of the people.(A) 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.” 49 Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings (rejoice), Rabbi!” And he [a]kissed Him [in a deliberate act of betrayal]. 50 Jesus said to Judas, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then they came and seized Jesus and arrested Him.
51 And [b]one of those who were with Jesus reached out and drew his sword, and struck [Malchus] the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.(B) 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place; for all those who habitually draw the sword will die by the sword.(C) 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will immediately provide Me with more than twelve [c]legions of angels? 54 How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?”
55 At that moment Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Day after day I used to sit in the porches and courts of the temple teaching, and you did not arrest Me. 56 But all this has taken place so that the Scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
Jesus before Caiaphas
57 Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to [d]Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) had gathered [[e]illegally] together.(D) 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the [elegant home of the Jewish] high priest, and went inside, and sat with the [f]guards to see the outcome.
59 Now the chief priests and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) tried to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might [have a reason to] put Him to death. 60 They found none, even though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward, 61 and testified, “This man said, ‘[g]I am able to [h]tear down the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Have You no answer to give? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I call on You to swear a binding oath by the living God, that you tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have [in fact] said it; but more than that I tell you [regardless of what you do with Me now], in the future you will see [Me revealed as] the Son of Man seated at the [i]right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”(E)
65 Then the high priest tore his [j]robes [in mock horror] and exclaimed, “He has blasphemed [by making Himself God’s equal]! What further need have we of witnesses or evidence? See, you have now heard the blasphemy.(F) 66 What do you think?” They answered, “[k]He deserves to be put to death.”
67 Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him,(G) 68 saying, “[l]Prophesy to us, You Christ (Messiah, Anointed); who was it that struck You?”
Peter’s Denials
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came up to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.”(H) 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them too; for even your [Galilean] accent gives you away.” 74 Then he began to curse [that is, to invoke God’s judgment on himself] and swear [an oath], “I do not know the man!” And at that moment a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the [prophetic] words of Jesus, when He had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly [in repentance].
Judas’ Remorse
27 When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) conferred together against Jesus, [plotting how] to put Him to death [since under Roman rule they had no power to execute anyone]; 2 so they bound Him, and led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor [of Judea, who had the authority to condemn prisoners to death].
3 When Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was gripped with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders,(I) 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They replied, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” 5 And throwing the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary, he left; and went away and [m]hanged himself. 6 The chief priests, picking up the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put these in the treasury [of the temple], because it is the price of blood.” 7 So after consultation they used the money to buy the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that piece of ground has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then the words spoken by Jeremiah the prophet were fulfilled: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him on whom a price had been set by the sons of Israel;(J) 10 and they gave them for the Potter’s Field, as the Lord directed me.”(K)
Jesus before Pilate
11 Now Jesus stood before [Pilate] the governor, and the governor asked Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” [In affirmation] Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”(L) 12 But when the charges were brought against Him by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer.(M) 13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?” 14 But Jesus did not reply to him, not even to a single accusation, so that the governor was greatly astonished.
15 Now at the feast [of the Passover] the governor was in the habit of setting free any one prisoner whom the people chose.(N) 16 And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner [guilty of insurrection and murder], called Barabbas. 17 So when they had assembled [for this purpose], Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to set free for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For Pilate knew that it was because of jealousy that the chief priests and elders had handed Jesus over to him.
19 While he was seated on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous and innocent Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 The governor said to them, “Which of the two do you wish me to set free for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all replied, “Let Him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what has He done that is evil?” But they continued shouting all the louder, “Let Him be crucified!”(O)
24 So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but rather that a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands [to ceremonially cleanse himself of guilt] in the presence of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this [righteous] Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.”(P) 25 And all the people answered, “Let [the responsibility for] His blood be on us and on our children!”(Q) 26 So he set Barabbas free for them; but after having Jesus severely whipped (scourged), he handed Him over to be crucified.
Jesus Is Mocked
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into [n]the Praetorium, and they gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him.(R) 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet [o]robe on Him [as a king’s robe]. 29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a reed in His right hand [as a scepter]. Kneeling before Him, they ridiculed Him, saying, “Hail (rejoice), King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him repeatedly on the head. 31 After they finished ridiculing Him, they stripped Him of the scarlet robe and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.
32 Now as they were coming out, they found a man of [p]Cyrene named [q]Simon, whom they forced into service [r]to carry the cross of Jesus.(S)
The Crucifixion
33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means [s]Place of a Skull,(T) 34 they offered Him wine mixed with gall (myrrh, a bitter-tasting narcotic) to drink; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it.
35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided His clothes among them by casting [t]lots.(U) 36 Then sitting down there, they began to keep watch over Him [to guard against any rescue attempt]. 37 And above His head they put the accusation against Him which read, “[u]THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
38 At the same time two robbers were crucified with Jesus, one on the right and one on the left. 39 Those who passed by were hurling abuse at Him and jeering at Him, wagging their heads [in scorn and ridicule],(V) 40 and they said [tauntingly], “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself [from death]! 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, mocked Him, saying, 42 “He saved others [from death]; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him and acknowledge Him. 43 He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”(W) 44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him also began to insult Him in the same way.
45 Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.).(X) 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud [agonized] voice, [v]“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”(Y) 47 When some of the bystanders there heard it, they began saying, “This man is calling for [w]Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, soaked it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.(Z) 49 But the rest said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him [from death].” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud [agonized] voice, and gave up His spirit [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan].(AA) 51 And [at once] the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was [x]torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split apart.(AB) 52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints (God’s people) who had fallen asleep [in death] were raised [to life]; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city (Jerusalem) and appeared to many people. 54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, they were terribly frightened and filled with awe, and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
55 There were also many women there looking on from a distance, who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him. 56 Among them was [y]Mary Magdalene, and [z]Mary the mother of [aa]James and Joseph, and [Salome] the [ab]mother of Zebedee’s sons [James and John].
Footnotes
- Matthew 26:49 A kiss on either the hand or cheek was usually an act of homage and a common gesture of greeting and reverence given to a rabbi by his disciples, but done here to identify Jesus.
- Matthew 26:51 John identified this “one” as Peter.
- Matthew 26:53 A legion equaled 6,000 troops.
- Matthew 26:57 See note 26:3.
- Matthew 26:57 It was unlawful for a criminal court proceeding to be held at night. Further, although the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Court) was granted substantial power to act by the Roman government, the Sanhedrin could not impose the death penalty on a criminal. Court cases requesting a death penalty to be imposed by the Roman government were to be held publicly in the temple. The officials of the Sanhedrin waited until morning to announce their verdict, perhaps in a token attempt to legalize their unlawful gathering.
- Matthew 26:58 Or servants.
- Matthew 26:61 This was a distortion of Jesus’ comment (John 2:19-21).
- Matthew 26:61 This would amount to a capital offense.
- Matthew 26:64 The place of preeminence and authority.
- Matthew 26:65 Or outer garments. This was a response required by Jewish law for judges who had heard blasphemy. However, OT law forbade the high priest to tear his clothing (Lev 10:6; 21:10).
- Matthew 26:66 A statement expressing complete rejection of and contempt for the Messiah.
- Matthew 26:68 Jesus was blindfolded according to Mark 14:65.
- Matthew 27:5 Possibly people later threw Judas’ body over the cliff into the Valley of Hinnom where his body was mangled on the rocks below (Acts 1:18). Suicides were not given a proper burial.
- Matthew 27:27 The official residence of a governor of a Roman province.
- Matthew 27:28 A ranking Roman officer’s outer cloak.
- Matthew 27:32 A port city in north Africa.
- Matthew 27:32 The father of Alexander and Rufus, disciples in Rome.
- Matthew 27:32 The crossbeam was usually placed on the nape of the neck like a yoke.
- Matthew 27:33 Latin: Calvarius; or Calvary; Aram: Golgotha; Greek: Kranion.
- Matthew 27:35 This fulfilled the prophecy of Ps 22:18, “They divide My clothes among them.”
- Matthew 27:37 The wording of the inscription, which was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, varies slightly in each Gospel account and was probably a combination of them all, “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
- Matthew 27:46 See note John 19:30.
- Matthew 27:47 The Jews believed that the prophet Elijah would return before the Messiah appeared.
- Matthew 27:51 God tearing the veil of the Holy of Holies is significant in that it symbolizes that God’s presence was now open to all people and not just the High Priest.
- Matthew 27:56 Jesus delivered this woman from seven demons (Luke 8:2). She was from the town of Magdala in Galilee.
- Matthew 27:56 Perhaps the same Mary identified as the wife of Clopas (Gr Alphaeus). See John 19:25. Believed to be a sister or sister-in-law of Mary the mother of Jesus.
- Matthew 27:56 This apostle was known as James the Less or James the Younger (Mark 15:40).
- Matthew 27:56 Salome, believed to be a sister of Mary the mother of Jesus (John 19:25).
Matthew 26:47-27:56
English Standard Version
Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 (A)While he was still speaking, (B)Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, (C)Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, (D)“Friend, (E)do what you came to do.”[a] Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his (F)sword and struck the servant[b] of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For (G)all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 (H)Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me (I)more than twelve (J)legions of angels? 54 (K)But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day (L)I sat in the temple (M)teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But (N)all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” (O)Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council
57 (P)Then (Q)those who had seized Jesus led him to (R)Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And (S)Peter was following him at a distance, as far as (T)the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with (U)the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council[c] (V)were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, (W)though many false witnesses came forward. At last (X)two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, (Y)‘I am able to (Z)destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”[d] 63 (AA)But Jesus remained silent. (AB)And the high priest said to him, (AC)“I adjure you by (AD)the living God, (AE)tell us if you are (AF)the Christ, (AG)the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, (AH)“You have said so. But I tell you, from now on (AI)you will see the Son of Man (AJ)seated at the right hand of Power and (AK)coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest (AL)tore his robes and said, (AM)“He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, (AN)“He deserves death.” 67 Then (AO)they spit in his face (AP)and (AQ)struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you (AR)Christ! Who is it that struck you?”
Peter Denies Jesus
69 (AS)Now Peter was sitting outside (AT)in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus (AU)of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for (AV)your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, (AW)“Before the rooster crows, you will (AX)deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Jesus Delivered to Pilate
27 (AY)When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people (AZ)took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and (BA)led him away and (BB)delivered him over to (BC)Pilate the governor.
Judas Hangs Himself
3 Then when (BD)Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus[e] was condemned, (BE)he changed his mind and brought back (BF)the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? (BG)See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, (BH)he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into (BI)the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore (BJ)that field has been called the Field of Blood (BK)to this day. 9 (BL)Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, (BM)“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.”
Jesus Before Pilate
11 (BN)Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you (BO)the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, (BP)“You have said so.” 12 (BQ)But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, (BR)“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 was greatly amazed.
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
15 (BS)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 Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or (BT)Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out (BU)of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on (BV)the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with (BW)that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today (BX)in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to (BY)ask for Barabbas 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, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (BZ)They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? (CA)What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that (CB)a riot was beginning, he took water and (CC)washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of (CD)this man's blood;[f] (CE)see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, (CF)“His blood be on us and (CG)on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having (CH)scourged[g] Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
Jesus Is Mocked
27 (CI)Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the (CJ)governor's headquarters,[h] and they gathered the whole (CK)battalion[i] before him. 28 And they stripped him and put (CL)a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they (CM)mocked him, saying, “Hail, (CN)King of the Jews!” 30 And (CO)they spit on 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 (CP)led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion
32 (CQ)(CR)As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to (CS)carry his cross. 33 (CT)And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 (CU)they offered him wine to drink, mixed with (CV)gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, (CW)they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and (CX)kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, (CY)the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two (CZ)robbers were crucified with him, (DA)one on the right and one on the left. 39 And (DB)those who passed by (DC)derided him, (DD)wagging their heads 40 and saying, (DE)“You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! (DF)If you are (DG)the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 (DH)“He saved others; (DI)he cannot save himself. (DJ)He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 (DK)He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 (DL)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[j] there was darkness over all the land[k] until the ninth hour.[l] 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus (DM)cried out with a loud voice, saying, (DN)“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with (DO)sour wine, and put it on a reed and (DP)gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus (DQ)cried out again with a loud voice and (DR)yielded up his spirit.
51 And behold, (DS)the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And (DT)the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of (DU)the saints (DV)who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into (DW)the holy city and appeared to many. 54 (DX)When the centurion and those who were with him, (DY)keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, (DZ)“Truly this was the Son[m] of God!”
55 There were also (EA)many women there, looking on (EB)from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, (EC)ministering to him, 56 among whom were (ED)Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and (EE)the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Footnotes
- Matthew 26:50 Or Friend, why are you here?
- Matthew 26:51 Or bondservant
- Matthew 26:59 Greek Sanhedrin
- Matthew 26:62 Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you?
- Matthew 27:3 Greek he
- Matthew 27:24 Some manuscripts this righteous blood, or this righteous man's blood
- Matthew 27:26 A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal
- Matthew 27:27 Greek the praetorium
- Matthew 27:27 Greek cohort; a tenth of a Roman legion, usually about 600 men
- Matthew 27:45 That is, noon
- Matthew 27:45 Or earth
- Matthew 27:45 That is, 3 p.m.
- Matthew 27:54 Or a son
Matthew 26:47-27:56
King James Version
47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.
51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.
56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
27 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
3 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,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 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.
7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
9 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.
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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
