Matthew 27

1 When morning came, 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 handed him over to Pilate the governor.

3 Then Judas, the one who handed him over, seeing that he had been condemned, was seized with regret and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, [a] 4 saying, “I sinned in handing over innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You will see to it.” 5 And throwing the pieces of silver into the sanctuary he withdrew; and he went away and hanged himself. [b]

6 But 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.” [c] 7 And after taking counsel they bought with them the Potter’s Field, as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why that field has been called Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying: “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one who had been priced, on whom the sons of Israel had set a price, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” [d]

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor questioned him, saying, “Are you the king of the Jews?” And Jesus said, “You say it.” 12 And while he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then Pilate says to him, “Do you not hear how much they testify against you?” 14 And he did not answer him, not to a single word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

15 Now at a feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner, whichever one they wanted. 16 And they had at that time a notorious prisoner called Jesus Barabbas. [e] 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you — Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed him over out of envy. 19 And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much today in a dream because of him.” [f]

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to destroy Jesus. 21 And the governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate says to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all say, “Let him be crucified.” 23 But he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, saying, “Let him be crucified.”

24 So when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing but that an uproar was starting instead, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this blood; you will see to it.” [g] 25 And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” 26 Then he released Barabbas to them; but Jesus he had flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. [h] 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet cloak around him, 29 and twisting together a crown out of thorns they put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, “Greetings, king of the Jews!” 30 And they spat on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him they stripped the cloak off him and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

32 As they were going out they found a man of Cyrene named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross. 33 And coming to a place called Golgotha, which is called Place of a Skull, 34 they gave him wine to drink mixed with gall; and when he had tasted it he would not drink. [i] † 35 And when they had crucified him they divided his clothes among themselves, casting lots, [j] † 36 and they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And above his head they put the charge against him, written: “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.” [k]

38 Then two robbers are crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those passing by blasphemed him, shaking their heads [l] 40 and saying, “You who destroy the sanctuary and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, mocking him with the scribes and elders, were saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is king of Israel — let him come down now from the cross, and we will trust in him. 43 He has trusted in God; let him rescue him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” [m] † 44 And in the same way the robbers who were crucified with him were reviling him.

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 did you abandon me?” [n] † 47 And some of those standing there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And immediately one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed and gave him a drink. 49 But the rest said, “Leave him. Let us see whether Elijah comes to save him.” [o] 50 But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and let the spirit go.

51 And look, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split, 52 and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the holy ones who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after his rising they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 But the commander of a hundred and those with him who were keeping watch over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, were terrified, saying, “Truly this was God’s Son.” [p]

55 And many women were there, watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee and served him; 56 among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57 When evening came, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given over. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock; and rolling a great stone against the door of the tomb, he went away. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave. [q]

62 The next day, which is after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate, [r] 63 saying, “Sir, we remembered that that deceiver said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I am raised.’ 64 So order the grave to be made secure until the third day, in case his disciples come and steal him and say to the people, ‘He was raised from the dead’ — and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it secure as you know how.” [s] 66 And they went and made the grave secure, sealing the stone, with the guard.