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Jesus Brought before Pilate

27 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.(A)

The Suicide of Judas

When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus[a] was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.(B) He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent[b] blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”(C) Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.(D) 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.” After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.(E) Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah,[c] “And they took[d] the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set,[e] on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price,(F) 10 and they gave[f] them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded 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, “You say so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.(G) 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?”(H) 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.(I)

Barabbas or Jesus?

15 Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Jesus[g] Barabbas. 17 So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus[h] Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”[i] 18 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over. 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.”(J) 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed.(K) 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 should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”[j] All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 Then he asked, “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 could do nothing but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood;[k] see to it yourselves.”(L) 25 Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”(M) 26 So he released Barabbas for them, and after flogging Jesus he handed him over to be crucified.(N)

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters,[l] and they gathered the whole cohort around him.(O) 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”(P) 30 They spat on him and took the reed and struck him on the head.(Q) 31 After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.(R)

The Crucifixion of Jesus

32 As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross.(S) 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.(T) 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots;[m](U) 36 then they sat down there and kept watch over him.(V) 37 Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

38 Then two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.(W) 39 Those who passed by derided[n] him, shaking their heads(X) 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.”(Y) 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself.[o] He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.(Z) 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to, for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’ ”(AA) 44 The rebels who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

The Death of Jesus

45 From noon on, darkness came over the whole land[p] until three in the afternoon.(AB) 46 And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”(AC) 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink.(AD) 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”[q] 50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.[r] 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.(AE) 52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”[s](AF)

55 Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.(AG) 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[t] and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.(AH)

The Burial of Jesus

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who also was himself a disciple of Jesus.(AI) 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth 60 and laid it in his new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.(AJ) 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’(AK) 64 Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise, his disciples may go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard[u] of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.”[v](AL) 66 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.(AM)

Footnotes

  1. 27.3 Gk he
  2. 27.4 Other ancient authorities read righteous
  3. 27.9 Other ancient authorities read Zechariah or Isaiah
  4. 27.9 Or I took
  5. 27.9 Or the price of the precious One
  6. 27.10 Other ancient authorities read I gave
  7. 27.16 Other ancient authorities lack Jesus
  8. 27.17 Other ancient authorities lack Jesus
  9. 27.17 Or the Christ
  10. 27.22 Or the Christ
  11. 27.24 Other ancient authorities read this righteous blood or this righteous man’s blood
  12. 27.27 Gk the praetorium
  13. 27.35 Other ancient authorities add in order that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, “They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
  14. 27.39 Or blasphemed
  15. 27.42 Or is he unable to save himself?
  16. 27.45 Or earth
  17. 27.49 Other ancient authorities add And another took a spear and pierced his side, and out came water and blood
  18. 27.50 Or gave up his spirit
  19. 27.54 Or a son of God
  20. 27.56 Some ancient authorities read Joses
  21. 27.65 Or Take a guard
  22. 27.65 Gk you know how

27 And when morning was come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus, that they might put him to death.

And they brought him bound, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients,

Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us? look thou to it.

And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed: and went and hanged himself with an halter.

But the chief priests having taken the pieces of silver, said: It is not lawful to put them into the corbona, because it is the price of blood.

And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter's field, to be a burying place for strangers.

For this cause the field was called Haceldama, that is, The field of blood, even to this day.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was prized, whom they prized of the children of Israel.

10 And they gave them unto the potter's field, as the Lord appointed to me.

11 And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus saith to him: Thou sayest it.

12 And when he was accused by the chief priests and ancients, he answered nothing.

13 Then Pilate saith to him: Dost not thou hear how great testimonies they allege against thee?

14 And he answered him to never a word; so that the governor wondered exceedingly.

15 Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would.

16 And he had then a notorious prisoner, that was called Barabbas.

17 They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you that I release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ?

18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

19 And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to 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 ancients persuaded the people, that they should ask for Barabbas, and take Jesus away.

21 And the governor answering, said to them: Whether will you of the two to be released unto you? But they said, Barabbas.

22 Pilate saith to them: What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? They say all: Let him be crucified.

23 The governor said to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be crucified.

24 And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a tumult was made; taking water washed his hands before the people, saying: I am innocent of the blood of this just man; look you to it.

25 And the whole people answering, said: His blood be upon us and our children.

26 Then he released to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band;

28 And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him.

29 And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, king of the Jews.

30 And spitting upon him, they took the reed, and struck his head.

31 And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak from him, and put on him his own garments, and led him away to crucify him.

32 And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up his cross.

33 And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary.

34 And they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall. And when he had tasted, he would not drink.

35 And after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: They divided my garments among them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.

36 And they sat and watched him.

37 And they put over his head his cause written: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the right hand, and one on the left.

39 And they that passed by, blasphemed him, wagging their heads,

40 And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God, and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self: if thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking, 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 now deliver him if he will have him; for he said: I am the Son of God.

44 And the selfsame thing the thieves also, that were crucified with him, reproached him with.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the whole earth, until the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

47 And some that stood there and heard, said: This man calleth Elias.

48 And immediately one of them running took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar; and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49 And the others said: Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to deliver him.

50 And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were rent.

52 And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose,

53 And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city, and appeared to many.

54 Now the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake, and the things that were done, were sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was the Son of God.

55 And there were there many women afar off, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

56 Among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57 And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus.

58 He went to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered.

59 And Joseph taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth.

60 And laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way.

61 And there was there Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary sitting over against the sepulchre.

62 And the next day, which followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees came together to Pilate,

63 Saying: Sir, we have remembered, that that seducer said, while he was yet alive: After three days I will rise again.

64 Command therefore the sepulchre to be guarded until the third day: lest perhaps his disciples come and steal him away, and say to the people: He is risen from the dead; and the last error shall be worse than the first.

65 Pilate saith to them: You have a guard; go, guard it as you know.

66 And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting guards.

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

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

Muerte de Judas (Hch 1,18-19)

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

— ¡He pecado entregando a un inocente!

Ellos le contestaron:

— Eso es asunto tuyo y no nuestro.

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

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

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

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

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

— ¿Eres tú el rey de los judíos?

Jesús le contestó:

— Tú lo dices.

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

13 Pilato le preguntó:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ellos contestaron:

— ¡A Barrabás!

22 Pilato les dijo:

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

Todos contestaron:

— ¡Crucifícalo!

23 Insistió Pilato:

— ¿Cuál es su delito?

Pero ellos gritaban cada vez con más fuerza:

— ¡Crucifícalo!

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

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

25 Y todo el pueblo a una respondió:

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

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

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

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

— ¡Viva el rey de los judíos!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Está llamando a Elías.

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

— Deja, veamos si viene Elías a salvarlo.

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

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

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

— ¡Verdaderamente, este era Hijo de Dios!

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

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

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

El sepulcro bajo custodia

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

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

65 Pilato les contestó:

— Ahí tenéis un piquete de soldados; id vosotros mismos y asegurad el sepulcro como mejor os parezca.

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

Judas Hangs Himself

27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed.(A) So they bound him, led him away and handed him over(B) to Pilate the governor.(C)

When Judas, who had betrayed him,(D) saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver(E) to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

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

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

The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood(I) to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:(J) “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”[a](K)

Jesus Before Pilate(L)

11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”(M)

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.(N) 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”(O) 14 But Jesus made no reply,(P) not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner(Q) chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[b] Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(R) 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat,(S) his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent(T) man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream(U) because of him.”

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.(V)

21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(W) Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

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

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar(X) was starting, he took water and washed his hands(Y) in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”(Z) he said. “It is your responsibility!”(AA)

25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”(AB)

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged,(AC) and handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus(AD)

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium(AE) and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,(AF) 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.(AG) 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.(AH) 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.(AI)

The Crucifixion of Jesus(AJ)

32 As they were going out,(AK) they met a man from Cyrene,(AL) named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.(AM) 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).(AN) 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall;(AO) but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(AP) 36 And sitting down, they kept watch(AQ) over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him,(AR) one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads(AS) 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,(AT) save yourself!(AU) Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”(AV) 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel!(AW) Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe(AX) in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him(AY) now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus(AZ)

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness(BA) came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[d](BB)

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar,(BC) put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.(BD)

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple(BE) was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split(BF) 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city(BG) and appeared to many people.

54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding(BH) Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”(BI)

55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.(BJ) 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[f] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.(BK)

The Burial of Jesus(BL)

57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb(BM) that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’(BN) 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body(BO) and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “Take a guard,”(BP) Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal(BQ) on the stone(BR) and posting the guard.(BS)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:10 See Zech. 11:12,13; Jer. 19:1-13; 32:6-9.
  2. Matthew 27:16 Many manuscripts do not have Jesus; also in verse 17.
  3. Matthew 27:46 Some manuscripts Eloi, Eloi
  4. Matthew 27:46 Psalm 22:1
  5. Matthew 27:53 Or tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they
  6. Matthew 27:56 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph