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Matthew 26-27
Lexham English Bible

The Chief Priests and Elders Plot to Kill Jesus

26 And it happened that when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover takes place, and the Son of Man will be handed over[a] in order to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas, 4 and plotted in order that they could arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.[b] 5 But they were saying, “Not during the feast, so that there will not be an uproar among the people.”

Jesus’ Anointing at Bethany

6 Now while[c] Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him holding an alabaster flask of very expensive perfumed oil, and poured it[d] out on his head while he[e] was reclining at table. 8 And when[f] the disciples saw it[g] they were indignant, saying, “Why[h] this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor!” 10 But Jesus, knowing this,[i] said to them, “Why do you cause trouble for the woman? For she has done a good deed for me. 11 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me. 12 For when[j] this woman poured this ointment on my body, she did it[k] in order to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Judas Arranges to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and[l] said, “What are you willing to give me if I in turn deliver him to you?” So they set out for him thirty silver coins. 16 And from that time on, he began seeking a favorable opportunity in order that he could betray him.

Jesus’ Final Passover with the Disciples

17 Now on the first day[m] of the feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came up to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 And he said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I am celebrating the Passover with you with my disciples.”’ 19 And the disciples did as Jesus directed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 And when it[n] was evening, he was reclining at table with the twelve disciples.[o] 21 And while[p] they were eating he said, “Truly I say to you, that one of you will betray me.” 22 And greatly distressed, each one began to say to him, “Surely I am not he, am I,[q] Lord?” 23 And he answered and[r] said, “The one who dips his[s] hand in the bowl with me—this one will betray me. 24 The Son of Man is going just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if that man had not been born.” 25 And Judas, the one who was betraying him, answered and[t] said, “Surely I am not he, am I,[u] Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said it.”[v]

The Lord’s Supper

26 Now while[w] they were eating Jesus took bread and, after[x] giving thanks, he broke it,[y] and giving it[z] to the disciples, he said, “Take, eat, this is my body.” 27 And after[aa] taking the cup and giving thanks he gave it[ab] to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell you, from now on I will never drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.” 30 And after they[ac] had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me during this night, for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[ad]

32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 But Peter answered and[ae] said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that during this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times!” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if it is necessary for me to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the disciples said the same thing.

The Prayer in Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and[af] pray.” 37 And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be distressed and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 And going forward a little he fell down on his face, praying and saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”[ag] 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “So, were you not able to stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you will not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!” 42 Again for the second time he went away and[ah] prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will must be done.” 43 And he came again and[ai] found them sleeping, for they could not keep their eyes open.[aj] 44 And leaving them again, he went away and[ak] prayed for the third time, saying the same thing again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us go! Behold, the one who is betraying me is approaching!”

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 And while[al] he was still speaking, behold, Judas—one of the twelve—arrived, and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now the one who was betraying him had given them a sign, saying, “The one whom I kiss—he is the one.[am] Arrest him!” 49 And he came up to Jesus immediately and[an] said, “Greetings, Rabbi,” and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do that[ao] for which you have come.”[ap] Then they came up and[aq] laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.

51 And behold, one of those with Jesus extended his[ar] hand and[as] drew his sword, and striking the slave of the high priest, cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place! For all who take up the sword will die by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot call upon my Father, and he would put at my disposal at once more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then would the scriptures be fulfilled that it must happen in this way?”

55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as against a robber, to arrest me? Every day in the temple courts[at] I sat teaching, and you did not arrest me! 56 But all this has happened in order that the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then the disciples all abandoned him and[au] fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

57 Now those who had arrested Jesus led him[av] away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 But Peter was following him from a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest. And he went inside and[aw] was sitting with the officers to see the outcome. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order that they could put him to death. 60 And they did not find it,[ax] although[ay] many false witnesses came forward. And finally two came forward 61 and[az] said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it[ba] within three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and[bb] said to him, “Do you reply nothing? What are these people testifying against you?” 63 But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath by the living God, that you tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it.[bc] But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power[bd] and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes, saying, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have just now heard the blasphemy! 66 What do you think?” And they answered and[be] said, “He deserves death!”[bf] 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists, and they slapped him,[bg] 68 saying, “Prophesy for us, you Christ! Who is it who hit you?”

Peter Denies Jesus Three Times

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a female slave came up to him and[bh] said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it[bi] in the presence of them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean!” 71 And when he[bj] went out to the gateway, another female slave[bk] saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” 72 And again he denied it[bl] with an oath, “I do not know the man!” 73 And after a little while those who were standing there came up and[bm] said to Peter, “You really are one of them also, because even your accent reveals who you are.”[bn] 74 Then he began to curse and to swear with an oath, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the statement Jesus had said, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times,” and he went outside and[bo] wept bitterly.

Jesus Taken to Pilate

27 Now when it[bp] was early morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus in order to put him to death. 2 And after[bq] tying him up, they led him[br] away and handed him[bs] over to Pilate the governor.

The Suicide of Judas Iscariot

3 Then when[bt] Judas, the one who had betrayed him, saw that he had been condemned, he regretted what he had done[bu] and[bv] returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by[bw] betraying innocent blood!” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”[bx] 5 And throwing the silver coins into the temple he departed. And he went away and[by] hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests took the silver coins and[bz] said, “It is not permitted to put them into the temple treasury, because it is blood money.”[ca] 7 And after[cb] taking counsel, they purchased with[cc] them the Potter’s Field, for a burial place for strangers. 8 (For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood until today.) 9 Then what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, who said, “And they took the thirty silver coins, the price of the one who had been priced, on whom a price had been set by the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, just as the Lord directed me.”[cd]

Jesus Before Pilate

11 So Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the king of the Jews?” And Jesus said, “You say so.” 12 And when he was being accused[ce] by the chief priests and elders he answered nothing. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” 14 And he did not reply to him, not even with reference to one statement, so that the governor was very astonished.

Pilate Releases Barabbas

15 Now at each feast, the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd—the one whom they wanted. 16 And at that time they had a notorious prisoner named Jesus[cf] Barabbas.[cg] 17 So after[ch] they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you—Jesus[ci] Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 (For he knew that they had handed him over because of envy. 19 And while[cj] he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message[ck] to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man,[cl] for I have suffered much as a result of a dream today because of him.”) 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should ask for Barabbas and put Jesus to death. 21 So the governor answered and[cm] said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas!” 22 Pilate said to them, “What then should I do with Jesus, the one who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What wrong has he done?” But they began to shout[cn] even louder, saying, “Let him be crucified!”

24 So Pilate, when he[co] saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but instead an uproar was developing, took water and[cp] washed his[cq] hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this man. You see to it!”[cr] 25 And all the people answered and[cs] said, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas for them, but after[ct] he had Jesus flogged, he handed him[cu] over so that he could be crucified.

Jesus Is Mocked

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s residence and[cv] gathered the whole cohort to him. 28 And they stripped him and[cw] put a scarlet military cloak around him, 29 and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it[cx] on his head, and put[cy] a reed in his right hand. And kneeling down before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 30 And they spat on him and[cz] took the reed and repeatedly struck[da] him[db] on his head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the military cloak and put his own clothes on him, and led him away in order to crucify him.[dc]

Jesus Is Crucified

32 And as they[dd] were going out, they found a man of Cyrene named[de] Simon. They forced this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they[df] came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull),[dg] 34 they gave him wine mixed with gall to drink, and when he[dh] tasted it[di] he did not want to drink it.[dj] 35 And when they[dk] had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves[dl] by[dm] casting lots. 36 And they sat down and[dn] were watching over him there. 37 And they put above his head the charge against him in writing:[do] “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 And those who passed by reviled him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “The one who would destroy the temple and rebuild it[dp] in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” 41 In the same way also the chief priests, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him,[dq] saying, 42 “He saved others; he is not able to save himself! He is the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusts in God; let him deliver him now if he wants to,[dr] because he said, ‘I am the Son of God’!” 44 And in the same way even the robbers who were crucified with him were reviling him.

Jesus Dies on the Cross

45 Now from the sixth hour, darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)[ds] 47 And some of those who were standing there, when they[dt] heard it,[du] said, “This man is summoning Elijah!” 48 And immediately one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it[dv] with sour wine and put it[dw] on a reed and[dx] gave it[dy] to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Leave him[dz] alone! let us see if Elijah is coming to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and[ea] gave up his[eb] spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 And the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

54 Now the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus, when they[ec] saw the earthquake and the things that took place, were extremely frightened, saying, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” 55 And there were many women there, observing from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Jesus Is Buried

57 Now when it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who also was a disciple of Jesus himself. 58 This man approached Pilate and[ed] asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it[ee] to be given to him.[ef] 59 And Joseph took the body and[eg] wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a large stone to the entrance of the tomb and[eh] went away. 61 Now Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The Tomb Is Sealed and Guarded

62 Now on the next day, which is after the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember that while[ei] that deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples come and[ej] steal him and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it[ek] as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went with the guard of soldiers and[el] made the tomb secure by[em] sealing the stone.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:2 Or “will be delivered up”
  2. Matthew 26:4 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  3. Matthew 26:6 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)
  4. Matthew 26:7 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  5. Matthew 26:7 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was reclining at table”)
  6. Matthew 26:8 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  7. Matthew 26:8 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  8. Matthew 26:8 Literally “for what” reason
  9. Matthew 26:10 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  10. Matthew 26:12 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“poured”) which is understood as temporal
  11. Matthew 26:12 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  12. Matthew 26:15 Here “and” is supplied because the participle in the previous verse (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb
  13. Matthew 26:17 Here the word “day” is not in the Greek text but is implied
  14. Matthew 26:20 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)
  15. Matthew 26:20 Some manuscripts omit “disciples”
  16. Matthew 26:21 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were eating”)
  17. Matthew 26:22 Literally “surely I am not”; the negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by “am I”
  18. Matthew 26:23 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  19. Matthew 26:23 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  20. Matthew 26:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  21. Matthew 26:25 Literally “surely I am not”; the negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by “am I”
  22. Matthew 26:25 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  23. Matthew 26:26 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were eating”)
  24. Matthew 26:26 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“giving thanks”) which is understood as temporal
  25. Matthew 26:26 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  26. Matthew 26:26 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  27. Matthew 26:27 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“taking”) which is understood as temporal
  28. Matthew 26:27 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  29. Matthew 26:30 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had sung the hymn”) which is understood as temporal
  30. Matthew 26:31 A quotation from Zech 13:7
  31. Matthew 26:33 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  32. Matthew 26:36 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“go”) has been translated as a finite verb
  33. Matthew 26:39 *Here the verb “will” is an understood repetition of the verb earlier in this verse
  34. Matthew 26:42 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went away”) has been translated as a finite verb
  35. Matthew 26:43 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came again”) has been translated as a finite verb
  36. Matthew 26:43 Literally “for their eyes were weighed down”
  37. Matthew 26:44 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went away”) has been translated as a finite verb
  38. Matthew 26:47 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was … speaking”)
  39. Matthew 26:48 *Here the predicate nominative (“the one”) is implied
  40. Matthew 26:49 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  41. Matthew 26:50 The words “do that” are not in the Greek text but are implied
  42. Matthew 26:50 The meaning of this phrase is disputed: (1) some take it as a declarative (as in the translation); (2) others understand it as some form of a question, often with supplied words: (a) “Friend, are you misusing the kiss for that purpose for which you are here?” (b) “Friend, in connection with that for which you have appeared do you kiss me?” (c) “Friend, are you here for this purpose?” (d) “Friend, what are you here for?”; this last option, though often suggested, is doubtful because of lack of evidence for the relative pronoun used as an interrogative in direct questions
  43. Matthew 26:50 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  44. Matthew 26:51 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  45. Matthew 26:51 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“extended”) has been translated as a finite verb
  46. Matthew 26:55 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  47. Matthew 26:56 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“abandoned”) has been translated as a finite verb
  48. Matthew 26:57 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  49. Matthew 26:58 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb
  50. Matthew 26:60 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  51. Matthew 26:60 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came forward”) which is understood as concessive
  52. Matthew 26:61 Here “and” is supplied because the participle in the previous verse (“came forward”) has been translated as a finite verb
  53. Matthew 26:61 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  54. Matthew 26:62 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  55. Matthew 26:64 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  56. Matthew 26:64 An indirect way of referring to God
  57. Matthew 26:66 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  58. Matthew 26:66 Literally “he is deserving of death”
  59. Matthew 26:67 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  60. Matthew 26:69 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  61. Matthew 26:70 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  62. Matthew 26:71 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“went out”) which is understood as temporal
  63. Matthew 26:71 The words “female slave” are not in the Greek text but are implied by the feminine singular form
  64. Matthew 26:72 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  65. Matthew 26:73 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  66. Matthew 26:73 Literally “makes you evident”
  67. Matthew 26:75 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb
  68. Matthew 27:1 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)
  69. Matthew 27:2 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“tying”) which is understood as temporal
  70. Matthew 27:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  71. Matthew 27:2 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  72. Matthew 27:3 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  73. Matthew 27:3 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  74. Matthew 27:3 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“regretted”) has been translated as a finite verb
  75. Matthew 27:4 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“betraying”) which is understood as means
  76. Matthew 27:4 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  77. Matthew 27:5 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went away”) has been translated as a finite verb
  78. Matthew 27:6 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  79. Matthew 27:6 Literally “the price of blood”
  80. Matthew 27:7 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“taking”) which is understood as temporal
  81. Matthew 27:7 Literally “for”
  82. Matthew 27:10 A quotation from various passages in Jeremiah including 18:2–6; 19:1–13; 32:6–15; see also Zech 11:12–13
  83. Matthew 27:12 Literally “in the him being accused”
  84. Matthew 27:16 Although many manuscripts omit “Jesus” here, it is so hard to explain why a scribe would have added it that the reading is probably original
  85. Matthew 27:16 “Barabbas” means “son of the father” in Aramaic
  86. Matthew 27:17 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had assembled”)
  87. Matthew 27:17 Although many manuscripts omit “Jesus” here, it is so hard to explain why a scribe would have added it that the reading is probably original
  88. Matthew 27:19 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was sitting”)
  89. Matthew 27:19 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  90. Matthew 27:19 Literally “nothing to you and to that righteous man”
  91. Matthew 27:21 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  92. Matthew 27:23 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to shout”)
  93. Matthew 27:24 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  94. Matthew 27:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  95. Matthew 27:24 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  96. Matthew 27:24 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  97. Matthew 27:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  98. Matthew 27:26 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“flogged”) which is understood as temporal
  99. Matthew 27:26 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  100. Matthew 27:27 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  101. Matthew 27:28 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stripped”) has been translated as a finite verb
  102. Matthew 27:29 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  103. Matthew 27:29 This is an understood repetition of the verb from earlier in the verse
  104. Matthew 27:30 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“spat”) has been translated as a finite verb
  105. Matthew 27:30 The imperfect tense has been translated as iterative here (“repeatedly struck”)
  106. Matthew 27:30 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  107. Matthew 27:31 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  108. Matthew 27:32 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were going out”) which is understood as temporal
  109. Matthew 27:32 Literally “by name”
  110. Matthew 27:33 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal
  111. Matthew 27:33 Literally “is called Place of a Skull”
  112. Matthew 27:34 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“tasted”) which is understood as temporal
  113. Matthew 27:34 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  114. Matthew 27:34 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  115. Matthew 27:35 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had crucified”) which is understood as temporal
  116. Matthew 27:35 Here “among themselves” reflects the middle voice of the verb “divided”
  117. Matthew 27:35 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“casting”) which is understood as means
  118. Matthew 27:36 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sat down”) has been translated as a finite verb
  119. Matthew 27:37 Literally “written”
  120. Matthew 27:40 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  121. Matthew 27:41 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  122. Matthew 27:43 Or “let him deliver him now if he wants him”
  123. Matthew 27:46 A quotation from Ps 22:1
  124. Matthew 27:47 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  125. Matthew 27:47 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  126. Matthew 27:48 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  127. Matthew 27:48 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  128. Matthew 27:48 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participles (“ran … took … filled … put”) have been translated as finite verbs
  129. Matthew 27:48 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  130. Matthew 27:49 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  131. Matthew 27:50 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“cried out”) has been translated as a finite verb
  132. Matthew 27:50 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  133. Matthew 27:54 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  134. Matthew 27:58 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb
  135. Matthew 27:58 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  136. Matthew 27:58 *The words “to him” are not in the Greek text but are implied
  137. Matthew 27:59 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  138. Matthew 27:60 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“rolled”) has been translated as a finite verb
  139. Matthew 27:63 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“alive”) which is understood as temporal
  140. Matthew 27:64 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“come”) has been translated as a finite verb
  141. Matthew 27:65 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  142. Matthew 27:66 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb
  143. Matthew 27:66 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sealing”) which is understood as means
Listen to Matthew 26-27
Close NIV

Matthew 26-27
New International Version

The Plot Against Jesus(A)

26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things,(B) he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover(C) is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled(D) in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,(E) 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.(F) 5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot(G) among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany(H)(I)

6 While Jesus was in Bethany(J) in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[a](K) but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.(L) 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus(M)

14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot(N)—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.(O) 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

The Last Supper(P)(Q)(R)

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread,(S) the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”(T)

18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time(U) is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”(V)

22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.(W) 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him.(X) But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him,(Y) said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”(Z)

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it(AA) and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup,(AB) and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant,(AC) which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.(AD) 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you(AE) in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.(AF)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(AG)

31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me,(AH) for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[c](AI)

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”(AJ)

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”(AK)

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you,(AL) I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Gethsemane(AM)

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee(AN) along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow(AO) to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”(AP)

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup(AQ) be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”(AR)

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me(AS) for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.(AT) The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”(AU)

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour(AV) has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Jesus Arrested(AW)

47 While he was still speaking, Judas,(AX) one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!”(AY) and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[d](AZ)

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword,(BA) drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.(BB)

52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.(BC) 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?(BD) 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled(BE) that say it must happen in this way?”

55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching,(BF) and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.”(BG) Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin(BH)

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas(BI) the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest.(BJ) He entered and sat down with the guards(BK) to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(BL) were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses(BM) came forward.

Finally two(BN) came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”(BO)

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.(BP)

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath(BQ) by the living God:(BR) Tell us if you are the Messiah,(BS) the Son of God.”(BT)

64 “You have said so,”(BU) Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One(BV) and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[e](BW)

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes(BX) and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,”(BY) they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists.(BZ) Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”(CA)

Peter Disowns Jesus(CB)

69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”(CC) And he went outside and wept bitterly.

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.(CD) 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over(CE) to Pilate the governor.(CF)

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him,(CG) saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver(CH) 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.”(CI)

5 So Judas threw the money into the temple(CJ) and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.(CK)

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(CL) to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:(CM) “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.”[f](CN)

Jesus Before Pilate(CO)

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

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.(CQ) 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”(CR) 14 But Jesus made no reply,(CS) 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(CT) chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[g] 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?”(CU) 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,(CV) his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent(CW) man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream(CX) because of him.”

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

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?”(CZ) 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(DA) was starting, he took water and washed his hands(DB) in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”(DC) he said. “It is your responsibility!”(DD)

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

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

The Soldiers Mock Jesus(DG)

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium(DH) and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,(DI) 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.(DJ) 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.(DK) 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.(DL)

The Crucifixion of Jesus(DM)

32 As they were going out,(DN) they met a man from Cyrene,(DO) named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.(DP) 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).(DQ) 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall;(DR) but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(DS) 36 And sitting down, they kept watch(DT) 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,(DU) one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads(DV) 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,(DW) save yourself!(DX) Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”(DY) 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!(DZ) Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe(EA) in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him(EB) 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(EC)

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

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,(EF) 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.(EG)

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple(EH) was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split(EI) 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[j] went into the holy city(EJ) and appeared to many people.

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

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

The Burial of Jesus(EO)

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(EP) 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.’(EQ) 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(ER) 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,”(ES) 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(ET) on the stone(EU) and posting the guard.(EV)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 26:11 See Deut. 15:11.
  2. Matthew 26:28 Some manuscripts the new
  3. Matthew 26:31 Zech. 13:7
  4. Matthew 26:50 Or “Why have you come, friend?”
  5. Matthew 26:64 See Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:13.
  6. Matthew 27:10 See Zech. 11:12,13; Jer. 19:1-13; 32:6-9.
  7. Matthew 27:16 Many manuscripts do not have Jesus; also in verse 17.
  8. Matthew 27:46 Some manuscripts Eloi, Eloi
  9. Matthew 27:46 Psalm 22:1
  10. Matthew 27:53 Or tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they
  11. Matthew 27:56 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph
Close NLT

Matthew 26-27
New Living Translation

The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man[a] will be handed over to be crucified.”

3 At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, 4 plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating,[b] a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. “What a waste!” they said. 9 “It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

The Last Supper

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?”

18 “As you go into the city,” he told them, “you will see a certain man. Tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover meal there.

20 When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table[c] with the Twelve. 21 While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”

22 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?”

23 He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. 24 For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”

25 Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?”

And Jesus told him, “You have said it.”

26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”

27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant[d] between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. 29 Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”

30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

‘God will strike[e] the Shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.”

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away[f] unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.

44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

47 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.” 49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.

50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”

Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands[g] of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

55 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day. 56 But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus before the Council

57 Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered. 58 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.

59 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council[h] were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. 60 But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward 61 who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand[i] and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[j]

65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?”

“Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!”

67 Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”

Peter Denies Jesus

69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”

70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.[k]”

72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.

73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”

74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.

75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

Judas Hangs Himself

27 Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. 2 Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”

“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”

5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

6 The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.”[l] 7 After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. 8 That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. 9 This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says,

“They took[m] the thirty pieces of silver—
    the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,
10 and purchased the potter’s field,
    as the Lord directed.[n]”

Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him.

Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.

15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas.[o] 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)

19 Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.”

20 Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death. 21 So the governor asked again, “Which of these two do you want me to release to you?”

The crowd shouted back, “Barabbas!”

22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”

They shouted back, “Crucify him!”

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

But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!”

25 And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”[p]

26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters[q] and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

32 Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene,[r] and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. 33 And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 34 The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.

35 After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.[s] 36 Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37 A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Two revolutionaries[t] were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

39 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40 “Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

41 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! 43 He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.

The Death of Jesus

45 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[u] lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”[v]

47 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 48 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. 49 But the rest said, “Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”[w]

50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

54 The Roman officer[x] and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

55 And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

The Burial of Jesus

57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. 61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, on the Sabbath,[y] the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 63 They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”

65 Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” 66 So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

Footnotes

  1. 26:2 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
  2. 26:7 Or reclining.
  3. 26:20 Or Jesus reclined.
  4. 26:28 Some manuscripts read the new covenant.
  5. 26:31 Greek I will strike. Zech 13:7.
  6. 26:42 Greek If this cannot pass.
  7. 26:53 Greek twelve legions.
  8. 26:59 Greek the Sanhedrin.
  9. 26:64a Greek seated at the right hand of the power. See Ps 110:1.
  10. 26:64b See Dan 7:13.
  11. 26:71 Or Jesus the Nazarene.
  12. 27:6 Greek since it is the price for blood.
  13. 27:9 Or I took.
  14. 27:9-10 Greek as the Lord directed me. Zech 11:12-13; Jer 32:6-9.
  15. 27:16 Some manuscripts read Jesus Barabbas; also in 27:17.
  16. 27:25 Greek “His blood be on us and on our children.”
  17. 27:27 Or into the Praetorium.
  18. 27:32 Cyrene was a city in northern Africa.
  19. 27:35 Greek by casting lots. A few late manuscripts add This fulfilled the word of the prophet: “They divided my garments among themselves and cast lots for my robe.” See Ps 22:18.
  20. 27:38 Or criminals; also in 27:44.
  21. 27:46a Some manuscripts read Eloi, Eloi.
  22. 27:46b Ps 22:1.
  23. 27:49 Some manuscripts add And another took a spear and pierced his side, and out flowed water and blood. Compare John 19:34.
  24. 27:54 Greek The centurion.
  25. 27:62 Or On the next day, which is after the Preparation.
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