Jesus Handed Over to Pilate

27 When daybreak came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death.(A) After tying Him up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate,[a] the governor.(B)

Judas Hangs Himself

Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.(C) “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said.

“What’s that to us?” they said. “See to it yourself!”

So he threw the silver into the sanctuary(D) and departed. Then he went and hanged himself.

The chief priests took the silver and said, “It’s not lawful(E) to put it into the temple treasury,[b] since it is blood money.”[c] So they conferred together and bought the potter’s field with it as a burial place for foreigners. Therefore that field has been called “Blood Field” to this day. Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

They took the 30 pieces of silver, the price of Him whose price was set by the Israelites, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.(F)[d]

Jesus Faces the Governor

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor.(G) “Are You the King of the Jews?” the governor asked Him.

Jesus answered, “You have said it.”[e](H) 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He didn’t answer.(I)

13 Then Pilate said to Him, “Don’t You hear how much they are testifying against You?” 14 But He didn’t answer him on even one charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.(J)

Jesus or Barabbas

15 At the festival(K) the governor’s custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.[f] 17 So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it you want me to release for you—Barabbas,[g] or Jesus who is called Messiah?”(L) 18 For he knew they had handed Him over because of envy.

19 While he was sitting on the judge’s bench, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of Him!”(M)

20 The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus. 21 The governor asked them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”

“Barabbas!” they answered.

22 Pilate asked them, “What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Messiah?”

They all answered, “Crucify Him!”[h](N)

23 Then he said, “Why? What has He done wrong?”

But they kept shouting, “Crucify Him!” all the more.(O)

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere,[i] but that a riot was starting instead, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood.[j] See to it yourselves!”(P)

25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us(Q) and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But after having Jesus flogged,[k] he handed Him over to be crucified.(R)

Mocked by the Military

27 Then(S) the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into headquarters and gathered the whole company around Him.(T) 28 They stripped Him and dressed Him in a scarlet military robe.(U) 29 They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and placed a reed in His right hand. And they knelt down before Him and mocked Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 Then they spit on Him, took the reed, and kept hitting Him on the head. 31 When they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe, put His clothes on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.(V)

Crucified Between Two Criminals

32 As they were going out, they found a Cyrenian man named Simon. They forced this man to carry His cross.(W) 33 When they came to a place called Golgotha(X) (which means Skull Place), 34 they gave Him wine[l] mixed with gall to drink. But when He tasted it, He would not drink it. 35 After crucifying Him they divided His clothes by casting lots.[m](Y) 36 Then they sat down and were guarding Him there. 37 Above His head they put up the charge against Him in writing:

THIS IS JESUS

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then two criminals[n] were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.(Z) 39 Those who passed by were yelling insults at[o] Him, shaking their heads(AA) 40 and saying, “The One who would demolish the sanctuary and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”(AB) 41 In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes and elders,[p] mocked Him and said, 42 “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! He is the King of Israel!(AC) Let Him[q] come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 He has put His trust in God; let God rescue Him now—if He wants Him![r] For He said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” 44 In the same way even the criminals who were crucified with Him kept taunting Him.(AD)

The Death of Jesus

45 From noon until three in the afternoon[s] darkness came over the whole land.[t](AE) 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Elí, Elí, lemá[u] sabachtháni? that is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken[v] Me?(AF)[w]

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

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, and offered Him a drink.(AG) 49 But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save Him!”

50 Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.(AH) 51 Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary[x](AI) was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were also opened(AJ) and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.

54 When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “This man really was God’s Son!”[y](AK)

55 Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to Him were there, looking on from a distance.(AL) 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.(AM)

The Burial of Jesus

57 When it was evening,(AN) a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple(AO) of Jesus. 58 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate ordered that it[z] be released. 59 So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, 60 and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb.(AP) 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb.

The Closely Guarded Tomb

62 The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate(AQ) 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’(AR) 64 Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples(AS) may come, steal Him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “You have[aa] a guard of soldiers,”[ab] Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” 66 Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.[ac](AT)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:2 Other mss read Pontius Pilate
  2. Matthew 27:6 See Mk 7:11 where the same Gk word (Corban) means a gift pledged to the temple.
  3. Matthew 27:6 Lit the price of blood
  4. Matthew 27:10 Jr 32:6-9; Zch 11:12-13
  5. Matthew 27:11 Or That is true, an affirmative oath; Mt 26:64; Mk 15:2
  6. Matthew 27:16 Other mss read Jesus Barabbas
  7. Matthew 27:17 Other mss read Jesus Barabbas
  8. Matthew 27:22 Lit “Him—be crucified!”
  9. Matthew 27:24 Lit that it availed nothing
  10. Matthew 27:24 Other mss read this righteous man’s blood
  11. Matthew 27:26 Roman flogging was done with a whip made of leather strips embedded with pieces of bone or metal that brutally tore the flesh.
  12. Matthew 27:34 Other mss read sour wine
  13. Matthew 27:35 Other mss add that what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: “They divided My clothes among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”
  14. Matthew 27:38 Or revolutionaries
  15. Matthew 27:39 Lit passed by blasphemed or were blaspheming
  16. Matthew 27:41 Other mss add and Pharisees
  17. Matthew 27:42 Other mss read If He . . . Israel, let Him
  18. Matthew 27:43 Or if He takes pleasure in Him
  19. Matthew 27:45 Lit From the sixth hour to the ninth hour
  20. Matthew 27:45 Or whole earth
  21. Matthew 27:46 Some mss read lama; other mss read lima
  22. Matthew 27:46 Or abandoned
  23. Matthew 27:46 Ps 22:1
  24. Matthew 27:51 A heavy curtain separated the inner room of the temple from the outer.
  25. Matthew 27:54 Or the Son of God
  26. Matthew 27:58 Other mss read that the body
  27. Matthew 27:65 Or “Take
  28. Matthew 27:65 It is uncertain whether this guard consisted of temple police or Roman soldiers.
  29. Matthew 27:66 Lit stone with the guard

Judas’ Remorse

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

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

Jesus before Pilate

11 (L)Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “So You are the (M)King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, (N)It is as you say.” 12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, (O)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 (P)He did not answer him in regard to even a single [e]charge, so the governor was greatly amazed.

15 (Q)Now at the Passover Feast the governor was accustomed to release for the [f]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 (R)who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was because of envy that [g]they had handed Him over.

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

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

Jesus Is Mocked

27 (AD)Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into (AE)the [m]Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman [n](AF)cohort to Him. 28 And they stripped Him and (AG)put a red [o]cloak on Him. 29 (AH)And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a [p]reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “(AI)Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And (AJ)they spit on Him, and took the reed and beat Him on the head. 31 (AK)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 (AL)As they were coming out, they found a man of (AM)Cyrene named Simon, [q]whom they compelled to carry His [r]cross.

The Crucifixion

33 (AN)And when they came to a place called (AO)Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34 (AP)they gave Him (AQ)wine mixed with [s]bile to drink; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink it.

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

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

45 (BB)Now from the [aa]sixth hour darkness [ab]fell upon all the land until the [ac]ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, (BC)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 (BD)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, “[ad]Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him[ae].” 50 And Jesus (BE)cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. 51 (BF)And behold, (BG)the [af]veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and (BH)the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 Also the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the [ag]saints who had (BI)fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered (BJ)the holy city and appeared to many. 54 (BK)Now as for the centurion and those who were with him (BL)keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw (BM)the earthquake and the other things that were happening, they became extremely frightened and said, “Truly this was [ah](BN)the Son of God!”

55 (BO)And many women were there watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while (BP)caring for Him. 56 Among them were (BQ)Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and (BR)the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Jesus Is Buried

57 (BS)Now when it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea came, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock; and he rolled (BT)a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 And (BU)Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

62 Now on the next day, that is, the day which is after (BV)the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63 and they said, “Sir, we remember that when that deceiver was still alive, He said, ‘(BW)After three days I am rising.’ 64 Therefore, give orders for the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a (BX)guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 And they went and made the tomb secure with (BY)the guard, (BZ)sealing (CA)the stone.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:3 Or silver shekels
  2. Matthew 27:7 Lit from them
  3. Matthew 27:9 Or I took; cf. Zech 11:13
  4. Matthew 27:10 Some early mss I gave
  5. Matthew 27:14 Lit word
  6. Matthew 27:15 Lit crowd
  7. Matthew 27:18 I.e., the Jewish leaders
  8. Matthew 27:19 Lit today
  9. Matthew 27:21 Lit answering, said to them
  10. Matthew 27:22 Lit Have Him crucified
  11. Matthew 27:23 Lit Have Him crucified
  12. Matthew 27:26 Or to them
  13. Matthew 27:27 I.e., the governor’s official residence
  14. Matthew 27:27 Normally 600 men (the number varied)
  15. Matthew 27:28 I.e., a Roman soldier’s cloak
  16. Matthew 27:29 Or staff; i.e., to mimic a king’s scepter
  17. Matthew 27:32 Lit this one
  18. Matthew 27:32 I.e., the crossbeam for a cross
  19. Matthew 27:34 Prob. referring to the taste of myrrh, added to lessen pain
  20. Matthew 27:35 Lit a lot
  21. Matthew 27:37 Lit written
  22. Matthew 27:38 Or robbers
  23. Matthew 27:39 Or blaspheming
  24. Matthew 27:42 Or can He not save Himself?
  25. Matthew 27:43 Or desires;
  26. Matthew 27:44 Or robbers
  27. Matthew 27:45 I.e., noon
  28. Matthew 27:45 Lit occurred
  29. Matthew 27:45 I.e., 3 p.m.
  30. Matthew 27:49 Lit Allow that we see
  31. 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)
  32. Matthew 27:51 Or curtain
  33. Matthew 27:52 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  34. Matthew 27:54 Or a son of God; or a son of a god

Jesus Delivered to Pilate

27 (A)When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people (B)took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And they bound him and (C)led him away and (D)delivered him over to (E)Pilate the governor.

Judas Hangs Himself

Then when (F)Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus[a] was condemned, (G)he changed his mind and brought back (H)the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? (I)See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, (J)he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into (K)the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore (L)that field has been called the Field of Blood (M)to this day. (N)Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, (O)“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 (P)Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you (Q)the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, (R)“You have said so.” 12 (S)But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, (T)“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 (U)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 (V)Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out (W)of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on (X)the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with (Y)that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today (Z)in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to (AA)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?” (AB)They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? (AC)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 (AD)a riot was beginning, he took water and (AE)washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of (AF)this man's blood;[b] (AG)see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, (AH)“His blood be on us and (AI)on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having (AJ)scourged[c] Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Jesus Is Mocked

27 (AK)Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the (AL)governor's headquarters,[d] and they gathered the whole (AM)battalion[e] before him. 28 And they stripped him and put (AN)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 (AO)mocked him, saying, “Hail, (AP)King of the Jews!” 30 And (AQ)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 (AR)led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion

32 (AS)(AT)As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to (AU)carry his cross. 33 (AV)And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 (AW)they offered him wine to drink, mixed with (AX)gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, (AY)they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and (AZ)kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, (BA)the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two (BB)robbers were crucified with him, (BC)one on the right and one on the left. 39 And (BD)those who passed by (BE)derided him, (BF)wagging their heads 40 and saying, (BG)“You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! (BH)If you are (BI)the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 (BJ)“He saved others; (BK)he cannot save himself. (BL)He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 (BM)He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 (BN)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[f] there was darkness over all the land[g] until the ninth hour.[h] 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus (BO)cried out with a loud voice, saying, (BP)“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 (BQ)sour wine, and put it on a reed and (BR)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 (BS)cried out again with a loud voice and (BT)yielded up his spirit.

51 And behold, (BU)the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And (BV)the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of (BW)the saints (BX)who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into (BY)the holy city and appeared to many. 54 (BZ)When the centurion and those who were with him, (CA)keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, (CB)“Truly this was the Son[i] of God!”

55 There were also (CC)many women there, looking on (CD)from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, (CE)ministering to him, 56 among whom were (CF)Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and (CG)the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Jesus Is Buried

57 (CH)When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and (CI)laid it in his own new tomb, (CJ)which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled (CK)a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and (CL)the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, that is, after the day of (CM)Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how (CN)that impostor said, while he was still alive, (CO)‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, (CP)lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have (CQ)a guard[j] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by (CR)sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:3 Greek he
  2. Matthew 27:24 Some manuscripts this righteous blood, or this righteous man's blood
  3. Matthew 27:26 A Roman judicial penalty, consisting of a severe beating with a multi-lashed whip containing embedded pieces of bone and metal
  4. Matthew 27:27 Greek the praetorium
  5. Matthew 27:27 Greek cohort; a tenth of a Roman legion, usually about 600 men
  6. Matthew 27:45 That is, noon
  7. Matthew 27:45 Or earth
  8. Matthew 27:45 That is, 3 p.m.
  9. Matthew 27:54 Or a son
  10. Matthew 27:65 Or Take a guard