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Matthew 27

English Standard Version



1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. (Mt 26:4; Mr 15:1; Lu 22:66) 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. (Mt 20:19; Lu 3:1; Lu 13:1; Lu 23:1; Joh 18:28; Ac 3:13; Ac 4:27; 1Ti 6:13) 



3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus[1] was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, (Mt 21:29; Mt 26:14; Mt 26:15) 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” (Mt 27:24) 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. (2Sa 17:23; Ac 1:18) 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” (Mr 12:41; Mr 12:43; Lu 21:1; Joh 8:20) 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. (Mt 28:15; Ac 1:19) 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “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, (Zec 11:13; Mt 1:22) 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” 



11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” (Mt 2:2; Mt 27:29; Mt 27:37; Mt 27:42; Mr 15:2; Lu 22:70; Lu 23:2; Joh 18:29; Joh 18:39; Joh 19:3; 1Ti 6:13) 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. (Mt 26:63) 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” (Joh 19:10) 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. 



15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. (Mr 15:6; Lu 23:18; Joh 18:39; Joh 19:16) 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 Jesus who is called Christ?” (Mt 27:22) 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. (Joh 12:19) 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” (Mt 2:12; Mt 27:24; Lu 23:47; Joh 19:13) 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. (Ac 3:14) 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?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” (Ac 13:28) 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” (Lu 23:41; Joh 8:46) 



24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood;[2] see to it yourselves.” (De 21:6; Ps 26:6; Ps 73:13; Mt 26:5; Mt 27:4; Mt 27:19) 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Ex 20:5; Jos 2:19; La 5:7; Mt 23:35; Ac 5:28) 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged[3] Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. (Isa 50:6; Isa 53:5; Mt 20:19; Lu 23:16; Joh 19:1) 



27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters,[4] and they gathered the whole battalion[5] before him. (Mr 15:16; Joh 18:28; Joh 18:33; Joh 19:2; Joh 19:9; Ac 10:1; Ac 23:35; Php 1:13) 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, (Lu 23:11; Re 18:12; Re 18:16) 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 mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Mt 20:19; Mt 27:11) 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. (Mt 26:67) 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. (Isa 53:7) 



32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. (Nu 15:35; Mt 21:39; Mr 15:21; Lu 23:26; Joh 19:17; Heb 13:12) 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), (Mr 15:22; Lu 23:32; Lu 23:44; Joh 19:17; Joh 19:23; Joh 19:28) 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. (Ps 69:21; Ac 8:23) 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. (Ps 22:18) 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. (Ps 22:17; Mt 27:54) 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” (Mt 27:11; Mt 27:29) 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. (Mt 20:21; Joh 18:40) 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads (Job 16:4; Ps 22:7; Ps 109:25; Isa 37:22; Jer 18:16; La 1:12; La 2:15; Lu 22:65; Lu 23:39; Jas 2:7) 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Mt 4:3; Mt 4:6; Mt 14:33; Mt 26:61; Mt 26:63; Mt 27:43) 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. (Mt 26:53; Mt 27:37; Lu 4:23; Joh 1:49; Joh 10:18; Joh 12:13) 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (Ps 22:8) 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. (Lu 23:39) 



45 Now from the sixth hour[6] there was darkness over all the land[7] until the ninth hour.[8] 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?” (Ps 22:1; Heb 5:7) 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 sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. (Ru 2:14; Ps 69:21) 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. (Mt 27:46; Joh 10:18) 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. (Ex 26:31; 2Ch 3:14; Mt 27:54) 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, (Da 7:18; Da 7:22; Joh 11:11; Ac 7:60; Ac 13:36; 1Co 15:6; 1Co 15:18; 1Co 15:20; 1Th 4:13; 2Pe 3:4) 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Mt 4:5) 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son[9] of God!” (Mt 27:36; Mt 27:43; Mr 15:39; Lu 23:47; Lu 23:49) 55 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, (Ps 38:11; Lu 8:2; Joh 19:25) 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. (Mt 20:20; Mt 27:55; Mr 15:40) 



57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. (Mr 15:42; Lu 23:50; Joh 19:38) 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 laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. (Isa 22:16; Isa 53:9; Mr 16:4; Joh 11:38) 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. (Mt 27:56; Mt 28:1) 



62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate (Mr 15:42; Lu 23:54; Joh 19:14; Joh 19:31; Joh 19:42) 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ (Mt 16:21; Mt 17:23; Mt 20:19; Mt 26:61; Mt 27:64; Mt 28:6; Mr 8:31; Mr 10:34; Lu 9:22; Lu 18:33; Lu 24:6; Joh 2:19; Joh 7:12) 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, 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.” (Mt 28:13) 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard[10] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” (Mt 28:11) 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. (Da 6:17) 

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Matthew 27

New International Version



1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2 So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver 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.’ 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. 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 to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ‘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.’[1] (Jer 19:1; Jer 32:6; Zec 11:12; Zec 11:13) 



11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘You have said so,’ Jesus replied. 12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ 14 But Jesus made no reply, 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 chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[2] 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?’ 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, his wife sent him this message: ‘Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’ 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 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?’ 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 was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’ 25 All the people answered, ‘His blood is on us and on our children!’ 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. 



27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers round him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 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. 30 They spat on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 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. 



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



45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli,[3] lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’). (Ps 22:1) 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, 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. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 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[4] went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’ 55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[5] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. 



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 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. 



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.” 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 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,’ 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 on the stone and posting the guard. 

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Matthew 27

King James Version

1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3 Then Judas, which had betrayeth him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because 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 by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; 10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me. 11 And 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 of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. 31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, 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 bear his cross. 33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36 And sitting down they watched him there; 37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. 55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children. 57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he 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 sepulchre, and departed. 61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. 

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Matthew 27

New International Reader’s Version



1 It was early in the morning. All the chief priests and the elders of the people planned how to put Jesus to death. 2 So they tied him up and led him away. Then they handed him over to Pilate, who was the governor. 3 Judas, who had handed him over, saw that Jesus had been sentenced to die. He felt deep shame and sadness for what he had done. So he returned the 30 silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 ‘I have sinned,’ he said. ‘I handed over a man who is not guilty.’ ‘What do we care?’ they replied. ‘That’s your problem.’ 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests picked up the coins. They said, ‘It’s against the law to put this money into the temple fund. It is blood money. It has paid for a man’s death.’ 7 So they decided to use the money to buy a potter’s field. People from other countries would be buried there. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then the words spoken by Jeremiah the prophet came true. He had said, ‘They took the 30 silver coins. That price was set for him by the people of Israel. 10 They used the coins to buy a potter’s field, just as the Lord commanded me.’ (Jer 19:1; Jer 32:6; Zec 11:12; Zec 11:13) 



11 Jesus was standing in front of the governor. The governor asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘Yes. You have said so,’ Jesus replied. 12 But when the chief priests and the elders brought charges against him, he did not answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the charges they are bringing against you?’ 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge. The governor was really amazed. 15 It was the governor’s practice at the Passover Feast to let one prisoner go free. The people could choose the one they wanted. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd gathered, Pilate asked them, ‘Which one do you want me to set free? Jesus Barabbas? Or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ 18 Pilate knew that the leaders wanted to get their own way. He knew this was why they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him a message. It said, ‘Don’t have anything to do with that man. He is not guilty. I have suffered a great deal in a dream today because of him.’ 20 But the chief priests and the elders talked the crowd into asking for Barabbas and having Jesus put to death. 21 ‘Which of the two do you want me to set free?’ asked the governor. ‘Barabbas’, they answered. 22 ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ Pilate asked. They all answered, ‘Crucify him!’ 23 ‘Why? What wrong has he done?’ asked Pilate. But they shouted even louder, ‘Crucify him!’ 24 Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere. Instead, the crowd was starting to get angry. So he took water and washed his hands in front of them. ‘I am not guilty of this man’s death,’ he said. ‘You are accountable for that!’ 25 All the people answered, ‘Put the blame for his death on us and our children!’ 26 Pilate let Barabbas go free. But he had Jesus whipped. Then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross. 



27 The governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the palace, which was called the Praetorium. All the rest of the soldiers gathered around him. 28 They took off his clothes and put a purple robe on him. 29 Then they twisted thorns together to make a crown. They placed it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand. Then they fell on their knees in front of him and made fun of him. ‘We honour you, king of the Jews!’ they said. 30 They spat on him. They hit him on the head with the stick again and again. 31 After they had made fun of him, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to nail him to a cross. 



32 On their way out of the city, they met a man from Cyrene. His name was Simon. They forced him to carry the cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha. The word Golgotha means the Place of the Skull. 34 There they mixed wine with bitter spices and gave it to Jesus to drink. After tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had nailed him to the cross, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 They sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him. It read, This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. 38 Two rebels against Rome were crucified with him. One was on his right and one was on his left. 39 Those who passed by shouted at Jesus and made fun of him. They shook their heads 40 and said, ‘So you are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days? Then save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!’ 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders made fun of him. 42 ‘He saved others,’ they said. ‘But he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross! Then we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him. He’s the one who said, “I am the Son of God.” ’ 44 In the same way the rebels who were being crucified with Jesus also made fun of him. 



45 From noon until three o’clock, the whole land was covered with darkness. 46 About three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice. He said, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ This means ‘My God, my God, why have you deserted me?’ (Ps 22:1) 47 Some of those standing there heard Jesus cry out. They said, ‘He’s calling for Elijah.’ 48 Right away one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar and put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, ‘Leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.’ 50 After Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, he died. 51 At that moment the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook. The rocks split. 52 Tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs. After Jesus was raised from the dead, they went into the holy city. There they appeared to many people. 54 The Roman commander and those guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened. They were terrified. They exclaimed, ‘He was surely the Son of God!’ 55 Not very far away, many women were watching. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to take care of his needs. 56 Mary Magdalene was among them. Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, was also there. So was the mother of Zebedee’s sons. 



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



62 The next day was the day after Preparation Day. The chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 ‘Sir’, they said, ‘we remember something that liar said while he was still alive. He claimed, “After three days I will rise again.” 64 So give the order to make the tomb secure until the third day. If you don’t, his disciples might come and steal the body. Then they will tell the people that Jesus has been raised from the dead. This last lie will be worse than the first.’ 65 ‘Take some guards with you,’ Pilate answered. ‘Go. Make the tomb as secure as you can.’ 66 So they went and made the tomb secure. They put a royal seal on the stone and placed some guards on duty. 

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