1Quando veio a manhã, os principais sacerdotes e os anciãos reuniram-se de novo para discutir como iriam convencer o governo romano a condenar Jesus à morte.2Mandaram-no, pois, manietado, a Pilatos, o governador romano.
Judas enforca-se
3Por essa altura, Judas, que o traiu, sabendo que Jesus tinha sido condenado à morte, lamentou o que tinha feito, e devolveu o dinheiro aos principais sacerdotes e aos anciãos.4“Pequei, porque traí um inocente.” Replicaram-lhe: “Isso é contigo!”5Então, atirando com o dinheiro para o lajeado do templo, saiu e enforcou-se.6Os principais sacerdotes apanharam o dinheiro, dizendo: “Não podemos pô-lo nas ofertas visto ser contra as nossas leis aceitar dinheiro pago por assassínio.”7Discutido o caso, resolveram comprar um campo onde os oleiros iam buscar barro e fazer ali um cemitério para os estrangeiros que morressem em Jerusalém.8Por isso, o cemitério ainda tem o nome de Campo de Sangue.9Assim se cumpriu a profecia de Jeremias em como tomariam as trinta moedas de prata, o preço pelo qual seria avaliado pelo povo de Israel,10e as dariam por um campo do oleiro, como o Senhor ordenara.
Jesus perante Pilatos
11Jesus estava agora diante de Pilatos, o governador romano, que lhe perguntou: “És o rei dos judeus?” Respondeu-lhe: “Sim, é como tu dizes.”12Às acusações dos principais sacerdotes e dos anciãos contra ele, Jesus não deu qualquer resposta.13“Não ouves o que dizem?”, perguntou Pilatos.14Mas Jesus continuou em silêncio, para grande espanto do governador.
Jesus condenado à morte
15Ora o governador tinha por costume soltar todos os anos, por altura da Páscoa, um preso judeu, aquele que a multidão quisesse.16Nesse ano encontrava-se encarcerado um criminoso muito conhecido chamado Barrabás.17Quando o povo se juntou diante da casa de Pilatos naquela manhã, ele perguntou: “Quem querem que vos solte, Barrabás ou Jesus, chamado o Cristo?”18Porque ele sabia que tinham prendido Jesus por inveja.19Enquanto Pilatos presidia à sessão do tribunal, a mulher dele mandou-lhe este recado: “Deixa esse homem justo em paz, porque esta noite tive um pesadelo horrível por sua causa.”20Entretanto, os principais sacerdotes e anciãos convenceram o povo a pedir a libertação de Barrabás e a condenação de Jesus à morte.21E quando o governador tornou a perguntar: “Qual destes dois querem que vos solte?.” A multidão respondeu em grande gritaria: “Barrabás!”22Pilatos tornou a perguntar: “Então que farei de Jesus, chamado o Cristo?” Eles gritaram: “Que ele seja crucificado!”23“Porquê? Que mal fez ele?” E o povo rugia cada vez mais alto: “Que ele seja crucificado!”24Quando Pilatos viu que não saíam daquilo e que começava a levantar-se tumulto, mandou buscar uma bacia de água e lavou as mãos diante da multidão, dizendo: “Estou inocente do sangue deste homem. A culpa é vossa!” E a multidão gritou:25“Que a responsabilidade da sua morte recaia sobre nós e os nossos filhos!”26Então Pilatos soltou Barrabás, mandou açoitar Jesus e entregou-o para ser crucificado.
Os soldados zombam de Jesus
27Assim, os soldados de Pilatos levaram Jesus para o palácio do governador e reuniram toda a guarnição em redor dele.28Tirando-lhe a roupa, vestiram-lhe um manto vermelho escuro,29fizeram uma coroa de espinhos e puseram-lha na cabeça, meteram-lhe uma vara na mão direita como se fosse o bastão de um rei e, ajoelhando-se diante dele, faziam troça, gritando: “Viva, ó rei dos judeus!”30Cuspiam-lhe e, tirando-lhe a vara da mão, batiam-lhe com ela na cabeça.31Quando acabaram toda aquela troça, tiraram-lhe o manto, vestiram-no novamente com as suas roupas e levaram-no para ser crucificado.
A crucificação
32Quando iam a caminho do local da execução, encontraram-se com um homem de Cirene, que se chamava Simão, a quem obrigaram a carregar a cruz de Jesus.33Foram pois para o local a que chamavam Gólgota, que significa “Lugar da Caveira”.34Aí, os soldados deram-lhe a beber vinho misturado com fel mas, quando experimentou, não quis tomá-lo.
A acusação contra Jesus
35Depois de o terem pregado na cruz, lançaram sortes para ver quem ficaria com as suas roupas.36Sentaram-se à volta, montando guarda, enquanto ele ali estava pendurado.37Por cima da sua cabeça, puseram uma tabuleta com a acusação contra ele: este é jesus, o rei dos judeus.38Com Jesus foram crucificados dois malfeitores, ficando um à direita e outro à esquerda.39As pessoas que passavam insultavam-no, sacudindo a cabeça40e dizendo: “És capaz de destruir o templo e construí-lo de novo em três dias, não és? Então, salva-te a ti mesmo! Se és o Filho de Deus, desce da cruz!”41Também os principais sacerdotes, os especialistas na Lei e os anciãos troçavam dele:42“Salvou os outros, mas não pode salvar-se a si próprio. É o Rei de Israel? Então desça da cruz e acreditaremos nele!43Confiou em Deus? Então que o livre se, de facto, tem prazer nele. Não disse que era o Filho de Deus?”44Até os malfeitores que com ele ali foram crucificados o amaldiçoavam.
A morte de Jesus
45Ao meio-dia, a terra inteira ficou em trevas, que duraram até às três horas daquela tarde.46Às três da tarde Jesus exclamou em voz muito alta: “Eli, Eli, lema sabactani?”, que quer dizer: “Meu Deus, meu Deus, porque me abandonaste?”47Alguns dos que ali se encontravam pensaram que chamava por Elias.48Um homem correu, ensopou uma esponja e, embebendo-a em vinho azedo, elevou-a até ele num pau.49Mas os outros diziam: “Espera, para vermos se Elias vem salvá-lo!”50Jesus deu outro clamor, entregou o espírito e morreu.51Nesse instante, o véu do templo rasgou-se em dois pedaços, de cima a baixo. A terra tremeu, as rochas fenderam-se.52Os túmulos abriram-se e muitos homens e mulheres santos que tinham morrido voltaram à vida.53Deixando o cemitério, depois da ressurreição de Jesus, entraram em Jerusalém, onde apareceram a muita gente.54O oficial romano e os soldados escolhidos para estarem de serviço na crucificação ficaram cheios de medo com o terramoto e com tudo o que acontecera, e eles próprios confessaram: “Verdadeiramente era o Filho de Deus!”55Muitas mulheres que tinham vindo da Galileia com Jesus, para tratar dele, estavam à distância, assistindo à cena.56Entre elas achavam-se Maria Madalena, Maria, mãe de Tiago e José, e a mãe de Tiago e João, filhos de Zebedeu.
Jesus é sepultado
57Quando caiu a noite, um homem rico de Arimateia, chamado José, seguidor de Jesus,58foi ter com Pilatos e pediu o seu corpo. Pilatos deu ordem para que lho entregassem.59José levou o corpo e envolveu-o num grande lençol de puro linho.60Colocou-o no seu túmulo novo que tinha sido escavado na rocha. Ao sair, rolou uma grande pedra para tapar a entrada.61Tanto Maria Madalena como a outra Maria estavam sentadas diante do túmulo, a olhar.62No dia seguinte, o primeiro dia das celebrações da Páscoa, os principais sacerdotes e os fariseus foram ter com Pilatos63e disseram-lhe: “Senhor, aquele mentiroso disse certa vez: ‘Depois de três dias voltarei a viver.’64Portanto, pedimos-te que dês ordens para selar o túmulo até ao terceiro dia, não vão os seus discípulos roubar o corpo e dizer depois a toda a gente que ele tornou a viver. Pois esta mentira seria pior do que a primeira!”65Ao que Pilatos respondeu: “Chamem a própria guarda do templo e guardem o túmulo o melhor que puderem.”66Selaram, pois, a pedra e puseram guardas para a defender de qualquer estranho.
3Then 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)4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” (Mt 27:24)5And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. (2 Sm 17:23; At 1:18)6But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” (Mc 12:41; Mc 12:43; Lc 21:1; Jo 8:20)7So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers.8Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. (Mt 28:15; At 1:19)9Then 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, (Zc 11:13; Mt 1:22)10and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
Jesus Before Pilate
11Now 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; Mc 15:2; Lc 22:70; Lc 23:2; Jo 18:29; Jo 18:39; Jo 19:3; 1 Tm 6:13)12But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. (Mt 26:63)13Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” (Jo 19:10)14But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
The Crowd Chooses Barabbas
15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. (Mc 15:6; Lc 23:18; Jo 18:39; Jo 19:16)16And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.17So 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)18For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. (Jo 12:19)19Besides, 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; Lc 23:47; Jo 19:13)20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. (At 3:14)21The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”22Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” (At 13:28)23And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” (Lc 23:41; Jo 8:46)
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
24So 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.” (Dt 21:6; Sl 26:6; Sl 73:13; Mt 26:5; Mt 27:4; Mt 27:19)25And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Ex 20:5; Js 2:19; Lm 5:7; Mt 23:35; At 5:28)26Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged[3] Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. (Is 50:6; Is 53:5; Mt 20:19; Lc 23:16; Jo 19:1)
Jesus Is Mocked
27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters,[4] and they gathered the whole battalion[5] before him. (Mc 15:16; Jo 18:28; Jo 18:33; Jo 19:2; Jo 19:9; At 10:1; At 23:35; Fp 1:13)28And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, (Lc 23:11; Ap 18:12; Ap 18:16)29and 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)30And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. (Mt 26:67)31And 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. (Is 53:7)
The Crucifixion
32As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. (Nm 15:35; Mt 21:39; Mc 15:21; Lc 23:26; Jo 19:17; Hb 13:12)33And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), (Mc 15:22; Lc 23:32; Lc 23:44; Jo 19:17; Jo 19:23; Jo 19:28)34they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. (Sl 69:21; At 8:23)35And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. (Sl 22:18)36Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. (Sl 22:17; Mt 27:54)37And 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)38Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. (Mt 20:21; Jo 18:40)39And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads (Jó 16:4; Sl 22:7; Sl 109:25; Is 37:22; Jr 18:16; Lm 1:12; Lm 2:15; Lc 22:65; Lc 23:39; Tg 2:7)40and 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)41So 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; Lc 4:23; Jo 1:49; Jo 10:18; Jo 12:13)43He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (Sl 22:8)44And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. (Lc 23:39)
The Death of Jesus
45Now from the sixth hour[6] there was darkness over all the land[7] until the ninth hour.[8]46And 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?” (Sl 22:1; Hb 5:7)47And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”48And 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. (Rt 2:14; Sl 69:21)49But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”50And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. (Mt 27:46; Jo 10:18)51And 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; 2 Cr 3:14; Mt 27:54)52The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, (Dn 7:18; Dn 7:22; Jo 11:11; At 7:60; At 13:36; 1 Co 15:6; 1 Co 15:18; 1 Co 15:20; 1 Ts 4:13; 2 Pe 3:4)53and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Mt 4:5)54When 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; Mc 15:39; Lc 23:47; Lc 23:49)55There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, (Sl 38:11; Lc 8:2; Jo 19:25)56among 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; Mc 15:40)
Jesus Is Buried
57When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. (Mc 15:42; Lc 23:50; Jo 19:38)58He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.59And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud60and 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. (Is 22:16; Is 53:9; Mc 16:4; Jo 11:38)61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. (Mt 27:56; Mt 28:1)
The Guard at the Tomb
62The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate (Mc 15:42; Lc 23:54; Jo 19:14; Jo 19:31; Jo 19:42)63and 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; Mc 8:31; Mc 10:34; Lc 9:22; Lc 18:33; Lc 24:6; Jo 2:19; Jo 7:12)64Therefore 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)65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard[10] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” (Mt 28:11)66So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. (Dn 6:17)