Matthew 27:45-56

New International Reader's Version

Jesus Dies

⁴⁵ From noon until three o’clock, the whole land was covered with darkness. ⁴⁶ About three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice. He said, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” (Psalm 22:1)

⁴⁷ Some of those standing there heard Jesus cry out. They said, “He’s calling for Elijah.”

⁴⁸ Right away one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar and put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ After Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, he died.

⁵¹ At that moment the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook. The rocks split. ⁵² 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 was raised from the dead, they went into the holy city. There they appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ The Roman commander and those guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened. They were terrified. They exclaimed, “He was surely the Son of God!”

⁵⁵ Not very far away, many women were watching. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to take care of his needs. ⁵⁶ Mary Magdalene was among them. Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, was also there. So was the mother of Zebedee’s sons.