Matthew 27

Thirty Silver Coins

1-2 In the first light of dawn, all the high priests and religious leaders met and put the finishing touches on their plot to kill Jesus. Then they tied him up and paraded him to Pilate, the governor.

3-4 Judas, the one who betrayed him, realized that Jesus was doomed. Overcome with remorse, he gave back the thirty silver coins to the high priests, saying, "I've sinned. I've betrayed an innocent man."
They said, "What do we care? That's your problem!"

5 Judas threw the silver coins into the Temple and left. Then he went out and hung himself.

6-10 The high priests picked up the silver pieces, but then didn't know what to do with them. "It wouldn't be right to give this—a payment for murder!—as an offering in the Temple." They decided to get rid of it by buying the "Potter's Field" and use it as a burial place for the homeless. That's how the field got called "Murder Meadow," a name that has stuck to this day. Then Jeremiah's words became history:
They took the thirty silver pieces, The price of the one priced by some sons of Israel, And they purchased the potter's field. And so they unwittingly followed the divine instructions to the letter.

Pilate

11 Jesus was placed before the governor, who questioned him: "Are you the 'King of the Jews'?"
Jesus said, "If you say so."

12-14 But when the accusations rained down hot and heavy from the high priests and religious leaders, he said nothing. Pilate asked him, "Do you hear that long list of accusations? Aren't you going to say something?" Jesus kept silence—not a word from his mouth. The governor was impressed, really impressed.

15-18 It was an old custom during the Feast for the governor to pardon a single prisoner named by the crowd. At the time, they had the infamous Jesus Barabbas in prison. With the crowd before him, Pilate said, "Which prisoner do you want me to pardon: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?" He knew it was through sheer spite that they had turned Jesus over to him.

19 While court was still in session, Pilate's wife sent him a message: "Don't get mixed up in judging this noble man. I've just been through a long and troubled night because of a dream about him."

20 Meanwhile, the high priests and religious leaders had talked the crowd into asking for the pardon of Barabbas and the execution of Jesus.

21 The governor asked, "Which of the two do you want me to pardon?"
They said, "Barabbas!"

22 "Then what do I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?"
They all shouted, "Nail him to a cross!"

23 He objected, "But for what crime?"
But they yelled all the louder, "Nail him to a cross!"

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was imminent, he took a basin of water and washed his hands in full sight of the crowd, saying, "I'm washing my hands of responsibility for this man's death. From now on, it's in your hands. You're judge and jury."

25 The crowd answered, "We'll take the blame, we and our children after us."

26 Then he pardoned Barabbas. But he had Jesus whipped, and then handed over for crucifixion.

The Crucifixion

27-31 The soldiers assigned to the governor took Jesus into the governor's palace and got the entire brigade together for some fun. They stripped him and dressed him in a red toga. They plaited a crown from branches of a thornbush and set it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand for a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mocking reverence: "Bravo, King of the Jews!" they said. "Bravo!" Then they spit on him and hit him on the head with the stick. When they had had their fun, they took off the toga and put his own clothes back on him. Then they proceeded out to the crucifixion.

32-34 Along the way they came on a man from Cyrene named Simon and made him carry Jesus' cross. Arriving at Golgotha, the place they call "Skull Hill," they offered him a mild painkiller (a mixture of wine and myrrh), but when he tasted it he wouldn't drink it.

35-40 After they had finished nailing him to the cross and were waiting for him to die, they whiled away the time by throwing dice for his clothes. Above his head they had posted the criminal charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. Along with him, they also crucified two criminals, one to his right, the other to his left. People passing along the road jeered, shaking their heads in mock lament: "You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you're really God's Son, come down from that cross!"

41-44 The high priests, along with the religion scholars and leaders, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: "He saved others—he can't save himself! King of Israel, is he? Then let him get down from that cross. We'll all become believers then! He was so sure of God—well, let him rescue his 'Son' now—if he wants him! He did claim to be God's Son, didn't he?" Even the two criminals crucified next to him joined in the mockery.

45-46 From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around mid-afternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

47-49 Some bystanders who heard him said, "He's calling for Elijah." One of them ran and got a sponge soaked in sour wine and lifted it on a stick so he could drink. The others joked, "Don't be in such a hurry. Let's see if Elijah comes and saves him."

50 But Jesus, again crying out loudly, breathed his last.

51-53 At that moment, the Temple curtain was ripped in two, top to bottom. There was an earthquake, and rocks were split in pieces. What's more, tombs were opened up, and many bodies of believers asleep in their graves were raised. (After Jesus' resurrection, they left the tombs, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.)

54 The captain of the guard and those with him, when they saw the earthquake and everything else that was happening, were scared to death. They said, "This has to be the Son of God!"

55-56 There were also quite a few women watching from a distance, women who had followed Jesus from Galilee in order to serve him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the Zebedee brothers.

The Tomb

57-61 Late in the afternoon a wealthy man from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, arrived. His name was Joseph. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate granted his request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance. Then he went off. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed, sitting in plain view of the tomb.

62-64 After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. They said, "Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, 'After three days I will be raised.' We've got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There's a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, 'He's risen from the dead.' Then we'll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first."

65-66 Pilate told them, "You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can." So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards.

Matthew 27

1 Now when morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:2 and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pilate the governor.

3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,4 saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it.5 And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.6 And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.8 Wherefore that field was called, the field of blood, unto this day.9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, whom certain of the children of Israel did price;10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.12 And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.13 Then saith Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?14 And he gave him no answer, not even to one word: insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.15 Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one prisoner, whom they would.16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.17 When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him up.19 And while he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.21 But the governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? And they said, Barabbas.22 Pilate saith unto them, What then shall I do unto Jesus who is called Christ? They all say, Let him be crucified.23 And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.24 So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; see ye to it.25 And all the people answered and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.26 Then released he unto them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered unto him the whole band.28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.29 And they platted a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!30 And they spat upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head.31 And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the robe, and put on him his garments, and led him away to crucify him.

32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to go with them, that he might bear his cross.

33 And they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, The place of a skull,34 they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted it, he would not drink.35 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots;36 and they sat and watched him there.37 And they set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.38 Then are there crucified with him two robbers, one on the right hand and one on the left.39 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads,40 and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross.41 In like manner also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on him.43 He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, I am the Son of God.44 And the robbers also that were crucified with him cast upon him the same reproach.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?47 And some of them stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah.48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.49 And the rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save him.50 And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.51 And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent;52 and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised;53 and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many.54 Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.55 And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:56 among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57 And when even was come, there came a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:58 this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded it to be given up.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 hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed.61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

62 Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate,63 saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first.65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard: go, make it as sure as ye can.66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.