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Matthew chapter 27

English Standard Version

1When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.
3Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 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.” 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. 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, 10and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
11Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 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?” 18For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 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.” 20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 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!” 23And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him 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; see to it yourselves.” 25And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.
27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 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!” 30And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 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.
32As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 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.” 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. 43He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.
45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 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?” 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. 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.
51And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 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 of God!”
55There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, 56among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
57When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 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 shroud 60and 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. 61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
62The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 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.” 65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
New International Version

1Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
3When 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.
4I have sinned,' he said, 'for I have betrayed innocent blood.' 'What is that to us?' they replied. 'That's your responsibility.'
5So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6The chief priests picked up the coins and said, 'It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.' 7So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. 8That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then 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, 10and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me.'
11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, 'Are you the king of the Jews?' 'You have said so,' Jesus replied.
12When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13Then Pilate asked him, 'Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?' 14But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge--to the great amazement of the governor.
15Now it was the governor's custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. 17So 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?' 18For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19While 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.'
20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21Which of the two do you want me to release to you?' asked the governor. 'Barabbas,' they answered.
22What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?' Pilate asked. They all answered, 'Crucify him!'
23Why? What crime has he committed?' asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, 'Crucify him!'
24When 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!'
25All the people answered, 'His blood is on us and on our children!'
26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
27Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29and 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. 30They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
32As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33They came to a place called Golgotha (which means 'the place of the skull'). 34There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.
38Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40and 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!' 41In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42He 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. 43He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'' 44In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
45From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?').
47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, 'He's calling Elijah.'
48Immediately 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. 49The rest said, 'Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him.'
50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs after Jesus' resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54When 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!'
55Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
57As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and 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. 61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
62The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63Sir,' they said, 'we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64So 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.'
65Take a guard,' Pilate answered. 'Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.' 66So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
New American Standard Bible

1Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; 2and they bound Him and led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.
3Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4saying, 'I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.' But they said, 'What is that to us? You shall see to it yourself!' 5And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and left; and he went away and hanged himself. 6The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, 'It is not lawful to put them in the temple treasury, since it is money paid for blood.' 7And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 'AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel; 10AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, JUST AS THE Lord DIRECTED ME.'
11Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, 'So You are the King of the Jews?' And Jesus said to him, 'It is as you say.' 12And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not offer any answer. 13Then Pilate *said to Him, 'Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?' 14And still He did not answer him in regard to even a single charge, so the governor was greatly amazed.
15Now at the Passover Feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, 'Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?' 18For he knew that it was because of envy that they had handed Him over.
19And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, 'See that you have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.' 20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death. 21And the governor 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, 'Crucify Him!' 23But he said, 'Why, what evil has He done?' Yet they kept shouting all the more, saying, 'Crucify Him!'
24Now when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, 'I am innocent of this Man’s blood; you yourselves shall see.' 25And all the people replied, 'His blood shall be on us and on our children!' 26Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort to Him. 28And they stripped Him and put a red cloak on Him. 29And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and put a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' 30And they spit on Him, and took the reed and beat Him on the head. 31And after they had mocked Him, they took the cloak off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.
32As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they compelled to carry His cross.
33And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34they gave Him wine mixed with bile to drink; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink it.
35And when they had crucified Him, they divided His garments among themselves by casting lots. 36And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. 37And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, 'THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.'
38At that time two rebels *were being crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39And those passing by were speaking abusively to Him, shaking their heads, 40and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.' 41In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42He saved others; He cannot save Himself! He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43HE HAS TRUSTED IN God; LET God RESCUE Him now, IF HE TAKES PLEASURE IN HIM; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’?' 44And the rebels who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him in the same way.
45Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'ELI, ELI, LEMA SABAKTANEI?' that is, 'MY God, MY God, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?' 47And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, said, 'This man is calling for Elijah.' 48And immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. 49But the rest of them said, 'Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him .' 50And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. 51And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52Also the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54Now as for the centurion and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the other things that were happening, they became extremely frightened and said, 'Truly this was the Son of God!'
55And many women were there watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while caring for Him. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
57Now when it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea came, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58This man 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 cloth, 60and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
62Now on the next day, that is, the day which is after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63and they said, 'Sir, we remember that when that deceiver was still alive, He said, ‘After three days I am rising.’ 64Therefore, give orders for the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.' 65Pilate said to them, 'You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.' 66And they went and made the tomb secure with the guard, sealing the stone.
Christian Standard Bible

1When daybreak came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put him to death. 2After tying him up, they led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
3Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.
4"I have sinned by betraying innocent blood," he said."What's that to us? " they said. "See to it yourself! " 5So he threw the silver into the temple and departed. Then he went and hanged himself.
6The chief priests took the silver and said, "It's not permitted to put it into the temple treasury, since it is blood money." 7They conferred together and bought the potter's field with it as a burial place for foreigners. 8Therefore that field has been called "Field of Blood" to this day. 9Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him whose price was set by the Israelites, 10and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.
11Now Jesus stood before the governor. "Are you the king of the Jews? " the governor asked him.Jesus answered, "You say so." 12While he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, he didn't answer.
13Then Pilate said to him, "Don't you hear how much they are testifying against you? " 14But he didn't answer him on even one charge, so that the governor was quite amazed.
15At the festival the governor's custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted. 16At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Who is it you want me to release for you--Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? " 18For he knew it was because of envy that they had handed him over.
19While he was sitting on the judge's bench, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I've suffered terribly in a dream because of him."
20The chief priests and the elders, however, persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to execute Jesus.
21The governor asked them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you? ""Barabbas! " they answered.
22Pilate asked them, "What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ? "They all answered, "Crucify him! "
23Then he said, "Why? What has he done wrong? "But they kept shouting all the more, "Crucify him! "
24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that a riot was starting instead, he took some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, "I am innocent of this man's blood. See to it yourselves! "
25All the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children! " 26Then he released Barabbas to them and, after having Jesus flogged, handed him over to be crucified.
27Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the governor's residence and gathered the whole company around him. 28They stripped him and dressed him in a scarlet robe. 29They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. And they knelt down before him and mocked him: "Hail, king of the Jews! " 30Then they spat on him, took the staff, and kept hitting him on the head. 31After they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32As they were going out, they found a Cyrenian man named Simon. They forced him to carry his cross. 33When they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull), 34they gave him wine mixed with gall to drink. But when he tasted it, he refused to drink it. 35After crucifying him, they divided his clothes by casting lots. 36Then they sat down and were guarding him there. 37Above his head they put up the charge against him in writing: This Is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
38Then two criminals were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39Those who passed by were yelling insults at him, shaking their heads 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! " 41In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him and said, 42"He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God; let God rescue him now--if he takes pleasure in him! For he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " 44In the same way even the criminals who were crucified with him taunted him.
45From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. 46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni ? " that is, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me ?"
47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling for Elijah."
48Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink. 49But the rest said, "Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
50But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 51Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. 52The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.
54When the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, "Truly this man was the Son of God! "
55Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and looked after him were there, watching from a distance. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
57When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus's body. Then Pilate ordered that it be released. 59So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, 60and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. 61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb.
62The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63and said, "Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive he said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64So give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come, steal him, and tell the people, 'He has been raised from the dead,' and the last deception will be worse than the first."
65"Take guards," Pilate told them. "Go and make it as secure as you know how." 66They went and secured the tomb by setting a seal on the stone and placing the guards.
New Living Translation

1Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. 2Then they bound him, led him away, and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.
3When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders.
4I have sinned,' he declared, 'for I have betrayed an innocent man.' 'What do we care?' they retorted. 'That’s your problem.'
5Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.
6The leading priests picked up the coins. 'It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,' they said, 'since it was payment for murder.' 7After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. 8That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood.
9This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says, 'They took the thirty pieces of silver — the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel, 10and purchased the potter’s field, as the Lord directed. '
11Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. 'Are you the king of the Jews?' the governor asked him. Jesus replied, 'You have said it.'
12But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?' Pilate demanded. 14But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.
15Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd — anyone they wanted. 16This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, 'Which one do you want me to release to you — Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?' 18(He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)
19Just then, as Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: 'Leave that innocent man alone. I suffered through a terrible nightmare about him last night.'
20Meanwhile, the leading priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be put to death.
21So the governor asked again, 'Which of these two do you want me to release to you?' The crowd shouted back, 'Barabbas!'
22Pilate responded, 'Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?' They shouted back, 'Crucify him!'
23Why?' Pilate demanded. 'What crime has he committed?' But the mob roared even louder, 'Crucify him!'
24Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, 'I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!'
25And all the people yelled back, 'We will take responsibility for his death — we and our children!'
26So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
27Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, 'Hail! King of the Jews!' 30And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
32Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. 33And they went out to a place called Golgotha (which means 'Place of the Skull'). 34The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.
35After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 36Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung there. 37A sign was fastened above Jesus’ head, announcing the charge against him. It read: 'This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.' 38Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
39The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. 40Look at you now!' they yelled at him. 'You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!'
41The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42He saved others,' they scoffed, 'but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! 43He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’' 44Even the revolutionaries who were crucified with him ridiculed him in the same way.
45At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' which means 'My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?'
47Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 48One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. 49But the rest said, 'Wait! Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.'
50Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
54The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, 'This man truly was the Son of God!'
55And many women who had come from Galilee with Jesus to care for him were watching from a distance. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
57As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, 58went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. 59Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. 61Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.
62The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. 63They told him, 'Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.'
65Pilate replied, 'Take guards and secure it the best you can.' 66So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.
King James Version

1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6And 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. 7And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. 8Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 9Then 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; 10And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
11And 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. 12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 15Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19When 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. 20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. 24When 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. 25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
26Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. 28And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. 29And 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! 30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. 31And 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. 32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35And 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. 36And sitting down they watched him there; 37And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40And 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. 41Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42He 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. 43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. 45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46And 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? 47Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48And 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. 49The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51And, 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; 52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54Now 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. 55And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
57When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 58He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60And 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. 61And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. 62Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64Command 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. 65Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

What does Matthew chapter 27 mean?

The events of Matthew 27 all take place in a single, exhausting day, during which the Son of God will die.

The council that condemned Jesus the night before had not followed official procedure. Part of their error was not passing a death sentence during the day. To meet the letter of the law, they meet once more after sunrise to make it official. Jesus is tied up and marched over to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The Jewish religious leaders need him to sentence Jesus to death, since they do not have the authority to do so on their own (Matthew 27:1–2).

Meanwhile, Judas has changed his mind. When he hears that Jesus has been condemned, he takes the 30 pieces of silver back to the leaders who paid him to betray Jesus. He admits that Jesus is innocent, but they don't care. Jesus' enemies are certainly not going to admit that they've bribed anyone. Judas helplessly throws the money down and leaves to commit suicide. The chief priests and elders use the money to buy a field for burying foreigners in Israel (Matthew 27:3–10).

Pilate asks Jesus directly if He is the King of the Jews. Jesus affirms, "You have said so." Other than this, Jesus has little to say in His own defense. John's account adds details showing how Pilate investigates Jesus' claims to be a "King," and finds them harmless (John 18:33–38). Jewish religious leaders heap accusations on Christ, attempting to secure a death sentence. Pilate is amazed that Jesus won't answer. In part, he might hope Jesus will dispute the charges enough to convict the religious leaders of deceit. Jesus knows this would be pointless and says almost nothing (Matthew 27:11–14).

It was custom for Pilate to release a prisoner to the people at Passover every year. This is likely an attempt to outmaneuver the manipulating religious leaders. Part of Pilate's caution might be superstition, as his wife warns about a dream she has had. Pilate assumes the people would rather see a controversial teacher be set free, rather than a convicted murderer. He has not found anything to charge Jesus with, and he knows that the Jewish religious leaders want Jesus killed out of envy and not because of any legitimate crime against Rome. Offering a confirmed insurrectionist would strain their claims against Jesus. He does not realize the mob is being directed by Jesus' enemies (Matthew 27:15–20).

The Roman governor gives the crowds a choice: Jesus or Barabbas. Spurred on by Jerusalem's religious leaders, they shout for Barabbas to be released and for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate finally gives in to this pressure, though he does not believe Jesus is guilty. In a pointless attempt to avoid responsibility for Jesus' death, he symbolically washes his hands. The frenzied mob, coached by Jerusalem's leaders, carelessly brush off the seriousness of what is happening. Jesus is viciously humiliated by Roman soldiers, beaten again, and taken away to be crucified (Matthew 27:21–31).

Crucifixion victims were often made to carry their own cross, though usually this was just the horizontal beam. That, itself, could be anywhere from 35 pounds—or 16 kilograms—to the size of a railroad tie. Since Jesus was horribly mutilated beforehand, He can't keep pace with the other prisoners (John 19:1–4). Taking advantage of Roman law (Matthew 5:41), the soldiers force an innocent bystander to drag the cross the rest of the way (Matthew 27:32).

On the cross, at a place called Golgotha, Jesus refuses to drink a bitter wine. This was probably a sedative, and Jesus does not want His mind dulled. The soldiers split up His clothes and gamble over the last piece. A sign over Jesus' head carries the crime for which He is "officially" being executed: being "King" of the Jews. People passing by, including several Jewish religious leaders, mock Jesus for not being able to save Himself while claiming to be the Son of God. Even the criminals being crucified alongside Jesus make fun of Him (Matthew 27:33–44).

As this occurs, an unexplained darkness falls over Israel for about three hours. Jesus cries out in Aramaic, quoting the words of Psalm 22:1: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some misunderstand Jesus and think He is calling for the prophet Elijah to come and save Him. Finally, Jesus voluntarily gives up His spirit and dies. At that moment, the enormous curtain in the temple which symbolically separates men from the presence of God is ripped in two from top to bottom. A potent earthquake breaks open the graves of some of Israel's saints. Roman soldiers, filled with awe, fearfully declare that Jesus must have been divine (Matthew 27:45–54).

Joseph of Arimathea, a rich follower of Jesus, asks Pilate for Jesus' body. Pilate agrees, and Joseph buries the body in his own, never-used tomb. Pilate also agrees to the request of some Jewish religious leaders to post a guard at the tomb. Their intent is to keep the body from being stolen, preventing the disciples of Christ from faking a resurrection (Matthew 27:55–66).

In an ironic twist, the extra measures taken after Jesus' death succeed: they entirely rule out any possibility that someone may have stolen His corpse. When Jesus' tomb is found empty, it will be clear evidence of a miracle (Matthew 28:1–10).
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