Matthew 27
Darkness at Noon, and the Veil Torn in Two
← Matthew 26 · Matthew: all chapters · Matthew 28 →
Jesus Handed Over to Pilate
27:1When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death.
27:2They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.
The Death of Judas
27:3Then Judas, who was handing Him over, saw that He had been condemned. Filled with regret, he returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and elders,
27:4saying, “I sinned by handing over innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
27:5He threw the silver coins into the sanctuary and withdrew; then he went away and hanged himself.
27:6The chief priests took the silver coins and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.”
27:7After taking counsel, they bought the potter’s field with them as a burial place for strangers.
27:8Therefore that field has been called Field of Blood until today.
27:9Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty silver coins, the price of the One priced, whom some of the sons of Israel priced,
27:10and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
Jesus Before the Governor
27:11Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say it.”
27:12While He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
27:13Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?”
27:14He did not answer him even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
Barabbas or Jesus
27:15At the feast the governor customarily released to the crowd one prisoner whom they wanted.
27:16At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Jesus Barabbas.
27:17So when they gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?”
27:18For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
27:19While he sat on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man, for I suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”
27:20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
27:21The governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas.”
27:22Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus called Christ?” They all said, “Let Him be crucified!”
27:23He said, “Why, what evil did He do?” But they cried out all the more, “Let Him be crucified!”
Pilate Washes His Hands
27:24When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather an uproar was arising, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this blood. See to it yourselves.”
27:25All the people answered, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.”
27:26Then he released Barabbas to them; after flogging Jesus, he handed Him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27:27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around Him.
27:28They stripped Him and put a scarlet cloak around Him.
27:29They wove a crown from thorns, placed it upon His head, and put a reed in His right hand. Kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Greetings, King of the Jews!”
27:30They spat on Him, took the reed, and kept striking Him upon the head.
27:31After mocking Him, they stripped off the cloak, dressed Him in His own garments, and led Him away to crucify Him.
The Crucifixion
27:32As they went out, they found a Cyrenian man named Simon. They compelled him to carry His cross.
27:33They came to a place called Golgotha, which is called Place of a Skull,
27:34and gave Him wine mixed with gall to drink. After tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.
27:35After crucifying Him, they divided His garments by casting a lot,
27:36and sat there keeping watch over Him.
27:37Above His head they placed the written charge against Him: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
27:38Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one at His right and one at His left.
The Mocking at the Cross
27:39Those passing by reviled Him, shaking their heads
27:40and saying, “You who destroy the sanctuary and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are God’s Son, come down from the cross.”
27:41Likewise the chief priests, mocking with the scribes and elders, said,
27:42“He saved others; Himself He cannot save. He is King of Israel! Let Him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in Him.
27:43He trusts in God; let Him rescue Him now, if He desires Him, for He said, ‘I am God’s Son.’”
27:44The robbers crucified with Him also reproached Him in the same way.
From the Sixth Hour Darkness Came upon the Land
27:45From the sixth hour darkness came upon all the land until the ninth hour.
27:46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” That is, “My God, My God, why did You forsake Me?”
27:47Some standing there heard and said, “This Man is calling Elijah.”
27:48Immediately one of them ran, took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, placed it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.
27:49But the rest said, “Leave it; let us see whether Elijah comes to save Him.”
27:50Jesus again cried out with a loud voice and released His spirit.
The Veil Torn and the Tombs Opened
27:51And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks split.
27:52The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the holy ones who had fallen asleep were raised.
27:53Coming out of the tombs after His rising, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
27:54The centurion and those with him guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and what had happened, and were exceedingly afraid, saying, “Truly this was God’s Son.”
Many Women Were There, Watching from Afar
27:55Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving Him.
27:56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
The Burial of Jesus
27:57When evening came, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become Jesus’ disciple.
27:58He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate ordered it to be given.
27:59Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.
27:60He laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. Rolling a great stone to the tomb’s entrance, he went away.
27:61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
On the Next Day, After the Preparation
27:62On the next day, which was after the Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered before Pilate,
27:63saying, “Sir, we remembered that while He was still alive, that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am raised.’
27:64So command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come, steal Him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”
27:65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go and make it secure as you know how.”
27:66They went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone, with the guard.
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.