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) 2} So they bound him, led him away and handed him over^(B) to Pilate the governor.^(C)

³ 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. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

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

⁵ So Judas threw the money into the temple^(G) and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.^(H)

⁶ 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.” ⁷ So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. ⁸ That is why it has been called the Field of Blood^(I) to this day. ⁹ 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)

Consecration of the Priests^(A)

29 “This is what you are to do to consecrate^(B) them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect.^{(C) 2} And from the finest wheat flour make round loaves without yeast, thick loaves without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, and thin loaves without yeast and brushed with olive oil.^{(D) 3} Put them in a basket and present them along with the bull and the two rams.^{(E) 4} Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water.^{(F) 5} Take the garments^(G) and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastpiece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband.^{(H) 6} Put the turban^(I) on his head and attach the sacred emblem^(J) to the turban. ⁷ Take the anointing oil^(K) and anoint him by pouring it on his head. ⁸ Bring his sons and dress them in tunics^{(L) 9} and fasten caps on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons.^[a](M) The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance.^(N)

“Then you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.

¹⁰ “Bring the bull to the front of the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.^{(O) 11} Slaughter it in the Lord’s presence^(P) at the entrance to the tent of meeting. ¹² Take some of the bull’s blood and put it on the horns^(Q) of the altar with your finger, and pour out the rest of it at the base of the altar.^{(R) 13} Then take all the fat^(S) on the internal organs,^(T) the long lobe of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar. ¹⁴ But burn the bull’s flesh and its hide and its intestines^(U) outside the camp.^(V) It is a sin offering.^[b]

¹⁵ “Take one of the rams,^(W) and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.^{(X) 16} Slaughter it and take the blood and splash it against the sides of the altar. ¹⁷ Cut the ram into pieces and wash^(Y) the internal organs and the legs, putting them with the head and the other pieces. ¹⁸ Then burn the entire ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma,^(Z) a food offering presented to the Lord.

¹⁹ “Take the other ram,^(AA) and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head.^{(AB) 20} Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet.^(AC) Then splash blood against the sides of the altar.^{(AD) 21} And take some blood^(AE) from the altar and some of the anointing oil^(AF) and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated.^(AG)

²² “Take from this ram the fat,^(AH) the fat tail, the fat on the internal organs, the long lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh. (This is the ram for the ordination.) ²³ From the basket of bread made without yeast, which is before the Lord, take one round loaf, one thick loaf with olive oil mixed in, and one thin loaf. ²⁴ Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and have them wave them before the Lord as a wave offering.^{(AI) 25} Then take them from their hands and burn them on the altar along with the burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to the Lord, a food offering presented to the Lord.^{(AJ) 26} After you take the breast of the ram for Aaron’s ordination, wave it before the Lord as a wave offering, and it will be your share.^(AK)

²⁷ “Consecrate those parts of the ordination ram that belong to Aaron and his sons:^(AL) the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. ²⁸ This is always to be the perpetual share from the Israelites for Aaron and his sons. It is the contribution the Israelites are to make to the Lord from their fellowship offerings.^(AM)

²⁹ “Aaron’s sacred garments^(AN) will belong to his descendants so that they can be anointed and ordained in them.^{(AO) 30} The son^(AP) who succeeds him as priest and comes to the tent of meeting to minister in the Holy Place is to wear them seven days.

³¹ “Take the ram^(AQ) for the ordination and cook the meat in a sacred place.^{(AR) 32} At the entrance to the tent of meeting, Aaron and his sons are to eat the meat of the ram and the bread^(AS) that is in the basket. ³³ They are to eat these offerings by which atonement was made for their ordination and consecration. But no one else may eat^(AT) them, because they are sacred. ³⁴ And if any of the meat of the ordination ram or any bread is left over till morning,^(AU) burn it up. It must not be eaten, because it is sacred.

³⁵ “Do for Aaron and his sons everything I have commanded you, taking seven days to ordain them. ³⁶ Sacrifice a bull each day^(AV) as a sin offering to make atonement^(AW). Purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate^(AX) it. ³⁷ For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy.^(AY)

³⁸ “This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day:^(AZ) two lambs a year old. ³⁹ Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight.^{(BA) 40} With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah^[c] of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin^[d] of oil^(BB) from pressed olives, and a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering.^{(BC) 41} Sacrifice the other lamb at twilight^(BD) with the same grain offering^(BE) and its drink offering as in the morning—a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the Lord.

⁴² “For the generations to come^(BF) this burnt offering is to be made regularly^(BG) at the entrance to the tent of meeting,^(BH) before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you;^{(BI) 43} there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.^(BJ)

⁴⁴ “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.^{(BK) 45} Then I will dwell^(BL) among the Israelites and be their God.^{(BM) 46} They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt^(BN) so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.^(BO)

The Altar of Incense^(BP)

30 “Make an altar^(BQ) of acacia wood for burning incense.^{(BR) 2} It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high^[e]—its horns^(BS) of one piece with it. ³ Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.^{(BT) 4} Make two gold rings^(BU) for the altar below the molding—two on each of the opposite sides—to hold the poles used to carry it. ⁵ Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.^{(BV) 6} Put the altar in front of the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law—before the atonement cover^(BW) that is over the tablets of the covenant law—where I will meet with you.

⁷ “Aaron must burn fragrant incense^(BX) on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. ⁸ He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come.^{(BY) 9} Do not offer on this altar any other incense^(BZ) or any burnt offering or grain offering, and do not pour a drink offering on it. ¹⁰ Once a year^(CA) Aaron shall make atonement^(CB) on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering^[f](CC) for the generations to come.^(CD) It is most holy to the Lord.”

Atonement Money

¹¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹² “When you take a census^(CE) of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom^(CF) for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague^(CG) will come on them when you number them. ¹³ Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel,^[g] according to the sanctuary shekel,^(CH) which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord. ¹⁴ All who cross over, those twenty years old or more,^(CI) are to give an offering to the Lord. ¹⁵ The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less^(CJ) when you make the offering to the Lord to atone for your lives. ¹⁶ Receive the atonement^(CK) money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting.^(CL) It will be a memorial^(CM) for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.”

Basin for Washing

¹⁷ Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹⁸ “Make a bronze basin,^(CN) with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. ¹⁹ Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet^(CO) with water^(CP) from it. ²⁰ Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die.^(CQ) Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the Lord, ²¹ they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance^(CR) for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”^(CS)

Anointing Oil

²² Then the Lord said to Moses, ²³ “Take the following fine spices:^(CT) 500 shekels^[h] of liquid myrrh,^(CU) half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon,^(CV) 250 shekels^[i] of fragrant calamus,^{(CW) 24} 500 shekels^(CX) of cassia^(CY)—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin^[j] of olive oil. ²⁵ Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer.^(CZ) It will be the sacred anointing oil.^{(DA) 26} Then use it to anoint^(DB) the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, ²⁷ the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, ²⁸ the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. ²⁹ You shall consecrate them^(DC) so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy.^(DD)

³⁰ “Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate^(DE) them so they may serve me as priests.^{(DF) 31} Say to the Israelites, ‘This is to be my sacred anointing oil^(DG) for the generations to come.^{(DH) 32} Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred.^{(DI) 33} Whoever makes perfume like it and puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off^(DJ) from their people.’”

Incense

³⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices^(DK)—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, ³⁵ and make a fragrant blend of incense,^(DL) the work of a perfumer.^(DM) It is to be salted and pure and sacred. ³⁶ Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet^(DN) with you. It shall be most holy^(DO) to you. ³⁷ Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy^(DP) to the Lord. ³⁸ Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off^(DQ) from their people.”

Bezalel and Oholiab^(DR)

31 Then the Lord said to Moses, ² “See, I have chosen Bezalel^(DS) son of Uri, the son of Hur,^(DT) of the tribe of Judah, ³ and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge^(DU) and with all kinds of skills^(DV)— ⁴ to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ⁵ to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. ⁶ Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab^(DW) son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan,^(DX) to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers^(DY) to make everything I have commanded you: ⁷ the tent of meeting,^(DZ) the ark of the covenant law^(EA) with the atonement cover^(EB) on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— ⁸ the table^(EC) and its articles, the pure gold lampstand^(ED) and all its accessories, the altar of incense,^{(EE) 9} the altar of burnt offering^(EF) and all its utensils, the basin^(EG) with its stand— ¹⁰ and also the woven garments^(EH), both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, ¹¹ and the anointing oil^(EI) and fragrant incense^(EJ) for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded^(EK) you.”

The Sabbath

¹² Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹³ “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths.^(EL) This will be a sign^(EM) between me and you for the generations to come,^(EN) so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.^(EO)

¹⁴ “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death;^(EP) those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. ¹⁵ For six days work^(EQ) is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest,^(ER) holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. ¹⁶ The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath,^(ES) celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. ¹⁷ It will be a sign^(ET) between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.^(EU)’”^(EV)

¹⁸ When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai,^(EW) he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone^(EX) inscribed by the finger of God.^(EY)