Matthew 27

1. Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death.

2. And after binding Him, they led Him away and delivered Him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

3. Now when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He was condemned, he changed his mind and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying,

4. “I have sinned and have betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it yourself.”

5. And after throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he went out and hanged himself.

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.”

7. And after taking counsel, they bought a potter’s field with the pieces of silver, for a burial ground for strangers.

8. Therefore that field is called The Field of Blood to this day.

9. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And I took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him on Whom a price was set, Whom they of the sons of Israel set a price on,

10. And gave them for the field of the potter, as the Lord had directed me.”

11. Then Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you said.”

12. And when He was accused by the chief priests and the elders, He answered nothing.

13. Then Pilate said to Him, “Don’t You hear how many things they testify against You?”

14. And He did not answer even one word to him, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

15. Now at the feast, the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the multitude, whomever they wished.

16. And they had at that time a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.

17. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you desire that I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus Who is called Christ?”

18. For he understood that they had delivered Him up because of envy.

19. Now as he sat on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him, saying, “Let there be nothing between you and that righteous Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

20. But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to demand Barabbas, and to destroy Jesus.

21. Then the governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you desire that I release to you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”

22. Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus Who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”

23. And the governor said, “Why? What evil did He commit?” But they shouted all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

24. Now Pilate, seeing that he was accomplishing nothing, but that a riot was developing instead, took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am guiltless of the blood of this righteous Man. You see to it.”

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 after scourging Jesus, he delivered Him up so that He might be crucified.

27. Then the governor’s soldiers, after taking Jesus with them into the Praetorium, gathered the entire band against Him;

28. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet cloak around Him.

29. And after platting a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a rod in His right hand; and bowing on their knees before Him, they mocked Him, and kept on saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

30. Then, after spitting on Him, they took the rod and struck Him on the head.

31. When they were done mocking Him, they took the cloak off Him; and they put His own garments on Him and led Him away to crucify Him.

32. Now as they came out, they found a Cyrenean man named Simon; and they compelled him to carry His cross. Greek stauros means the upper crossbeam of the cross

33. And after coming to a place called Golgotha, which is called Place of a Skull,

34. They gave Him vinegar mingled with gall to drink; but after tasting it, He would not drink.

35. And when they had crucified Him, they divided His garments by casting lots; so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, “They divided My garments among themselves, and for My vesture they cast lots.”

36. And they sat down there to keep guard over Him.

37. And they put up over His head His accusation, written, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

38. And two robbers were crucified with Him, one at the right hand and one at the left.

39. Then those who were passing by railed at Him, shaking their heads,

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.”

41. And in the same way also the chief priests were mocking, with the scribes and elders, saying,

42. “He saved others, but He does not have the power to save Himself. If He is the King of Israel, let Him come down now 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. And the two robbers who were crucified with Him also reproached Him with the same words.

45. Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour, darkness was over all the land.

46. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” That is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

47. And some of those who were standing there heard and said, “This one is calling for Elijah.”

48. And immediately one of them ran and, taking a sponge, filled it with vinegar and put it on a stick, and gave it to Him to drink.

49. But the rest said, “Let Him alone! Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.” Then another took a spear and thrust it into His side, and out came water and blood. (see explanation)

50. And after crying out again with a loud voice, Jesus yielded up His spirit.

51. Then suddenly the veil of the temple was ripped in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks were split,

52. So that the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had died, were resurrected

53. After His resurrection; (see explanation) and they came out of the tombs. Then they entered into the holy city, and appeared to many.

54. Then the centurion and those with him who had been keeping guard over Jesus, after seeing the earthquake and the things that took place, were filled with fear, and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

55. Now there were many women who were watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him;

56. With whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57. And when evening was coming on, a rich man of Arimathea came, named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus

58. After going to Pilate, he begged to have the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given over to him.

59. And after taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen cloth,

60. And placed it in his new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock; and after rolling a great stone to the door of the tomb, he went away.

61. But sitting there opposite the sepulcher were Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.

62. Now on the next day,  This Sabbath was not the 7th day weekly Sabbath. This Sabbath was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread—a holy day Sabbath and fell on a Thursdaywhich followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees came together to Pilate,

63. Saying, “Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while He was living, ‘After three days I will rise.’

64. Therefore, command that the sepulcher be secured until the third day; lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He is risen from the dead’; and the last deception shall be worse than the first.”

65. Then Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you know how.”

66. And they went and made the sepulcher secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.