The Gospel According to St. Matthew

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- Chapter 27 -

(Mark 15:1–5)

Then, when morning arrived, all the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, so that they might deliver him to death.

And they led him, bound, and handed him over to Pontius Pilate, the procurator.

Judas Hangs Himself

(Zechariah 11:10–17)

Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he had been condemned, regretting his conduct, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the leaders of the priests and the elders,(a)

saying, “I have sinned in betraying just blood.” But they said to him: “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”

And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed. And going out, he hanged himself with a snare.

But the leaders of the priests, having taken up the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple offerings, because it is the price of blood.”(b)

Then, having taken counsel, they bought the potter’s field with it, as a burying place for sojourners.

For this reason, that field is called Haceldama, that is, ‘The Field of Blood,’ even to this very day.

Then what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one being appraised, whom they appraised before the sons of Israel,

and they gave it for the potter’s field, just as the Lord appointed to me.”

Jesus before Pilate

(Luke 23:1–5; John 18:28–40)

Now Jesus stood before the procurator, and the procurator questioned him, saying, “You are the king of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “You are saying so.”

And when he was accused by the leaders of the priests and the elders, he responded nothing.

Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how much testimony they speak against you?”

And he did not respond any word to him, so that the procurator wondered greatly.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

(Mark 15:6–11; Luke 23:13–25)

Now on the solemn day, the procurator was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whomever they wished.

And at that time, he had a notorious prisoner, who was called Barabbas.

Therefore, having been gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it that you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?”

For he knew that it was out of envy they had handed him over.

But as he was sitting in the place for the tribunal, his wife sent to him, saying: “It is nothing to you, and he is just. For I have experienced many things today through a vision for his sake.”(c)

But the leaders of the priests and the elders persuaded the people, so that they would ask for Barabbas, and so that Jesus would perish.

Then, in response, the procurator said to them, “Which of the two do you want to be released to you?” But they said to him, “Barabbas.”

Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do about Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified.”

The procurator said to them, “But what evil has he done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let him be crucified.”

Pilate Washes His Hands

(Mark 15:12–15)

Then Pilate, seeing that he was able to accomplish nothing, but that a greater tumult was occurring, taking water, washed his hands in the sight of the people, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just man. See to it yourselves.”

And the entire people responded by saying, “May his blood be upon us and upon our children.”

Then he released Barabbas to them. But Jesus, having been scourged, he handed over to them, so that he would be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

(Isaiah 50:4–11; Mark 15:16–20; Luke 22:63–65; John 19:1–15)

Then the soldiers of the procurator, taking Jesus up to the praetorium, gathered the entire cohort around him.

And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak around him.

And plaiting a crown of thorns, they placed it on his head, with a reed in his right hand. And genuflecting before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews.”

And spitting on him, they took the reed and struck his head.

And after they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, and clothed him with his own garments, and they led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion

(Psalm 22:1–31; Mark 15:21–32; Luke 23:26–43; John 19:16–27)

But as they were going out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, named Simon, whom they compelled to take up his cross.

And they arrived at the place which is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary.

And they gave him wine to drink, mixed with gall. And when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.

Then, after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying: “They divided my garments among them, and over my vestment they cast lots.”

And sitting down, they observed him.

And they set his accusation above his head, written as: This is Jesus, king of the Jews.

Then two robbers were crucified with him: one on the right and one on the left.(d)

But those passing by blasphemed him, shaking their heads,

and saying: “Ah, so you would destroy the temple of God and in three days rebuild it! Save your own self. If you are the Son of God, descend from the cross.”

And similarly, the leaders of the priests, with the scribes and the elders, mocking him, said:

“He saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him descend now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

He trusted in God; so now, let God free him, if he wills him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”(e)

Then, the robbers who were crucified with him also reproached him with the very same thing.

The Death of Jesus

(Psalm 22:1–31; Mark 15:33–41; Luke 23:44–49; John 19:28–30)

Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over the entire earth, even until the ninth hour.

And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Then certain ones who were standing and listening there said, “This man calls upon Elijah.”

And one of them, running quickly, took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and he set it on a reed and he gave it to him to drink.

Yet truly, the others said, “Wait. Let us see whether Elijah will come to free him.”

Then Jesus, crying out again with a loud voice, gave up his life.(f)

And behold, the veil of the temple was torn into two parts, from top to bottom. And the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split apart.

And the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints, which had been sleeping, arose.

And going out from the tombs, after his resurrection, they went into the holy city, and they appeared to many.

Now the centurion and those who were with him, guarding Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were very fearful, saying: “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

And in that place, there were many women, at a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.

Among these were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9–12; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42)

Then, when evening had arrived, a certain wealthy man from Arimathea, named Joseph, arrived, who himself was also a disciple of Jesus.

This man approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered the body to be released.

And Joseph, taking the body, wrapped it in a clean finely-woven linen cloth,

and he placed it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and he went away.

Now Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulcher.

The Guards at the Tomb

Then the next day, which is after the Preparation day, the leaders of the priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate together,(g)

saying: “Lord, we have remembered that this seducer said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days, I will rise again.’

Therefore, order the sepulcher to be guarded until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples may come and steal him, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ And this last error would be worse than the first.”

Pilate said to them: “You have a guard. Go, guard it as you know how.”

Then, going out, they secured the sepulcher with guards, sealing the stone.

Footnotes

(a)27:3 In my theological opinion, Judas truly repented from his betrayal of Christ. Therefore, the salvation of those who go to Heaven is not dependent on Judas having been sent to Hell. Yet Judas next despaired of the Mercy of God, killing himself. Therefore, he went to Hell for the latter sin, not for the former sin.(Conte)

(b)27:6 Corbona:A place in the temple where the people put in their gifts or offerings.(Challoner)

(c)27:19 The text in Latin does not say any word referring to a dream. The word ‘visum’ means vision. Also, she says ‘today,’ not ‘in the night,’ and there is no reference to sleep. Compare this to other references in Scripture about dreams versus visions. It is clear that this was a vision, not a dream.(Conte)

(d)27:38 The word ‘latrones’ in Latin specifically refers to robbers, not to thieves.(Conte)

(e)27:43 Literally the text says “for he said ‘that I am the Son of God’ ” Quotations were written differently in that time period than they are today. We would say either, “for he said that he is the Son of God,” or, “for he said: ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” But the text has something of a combination of those two approaches.(Conte)

(f)27:50 Correct translations of this last phrase would include: ‘he gave up his spirit,’ ‘he breathed his last breath,’ ‘he gave up his life,’ ‘he uttered his last breath,’ and other phrasings. But a very literal translation of this particular phrase would be misleading: ‘he sent out the spirit.’(Conte)

(g)27:62 The day of preparation:The eve of the sabbath; so called, because on that day they prepared all things necessary; not being allowed so much as to dress their meat on the sabbath day.(Challoner)

(Mark 15:1–5)

Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.

They bound him, led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

Judas Hangs Himself

(Zechariah 11:10–17)

Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

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

He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed. Then he went away and hanged himself.

The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.”

They took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with them to bury strangers in.

Therefore that field has been called “The Field of Blood” to this day.

Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah

(a)

the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced,

and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”(b)

Jesus before Pilate

(Luke 23:1–5; John 18:28–40)

Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “So you say.”

When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?”

He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

(Mark 15:6–11; Luke 23:13–25)

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner whom they desired.

They had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas.

When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”

For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.

While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.”

Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”

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

But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Washes His Hands

(Mark 15:12–15)

So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

All the people answered, “May his blood be on us and on our children!”

Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

(Isaiah 50:4–11; Mark 15:16–20; Luke 22:63–65; John 19:1–15)

Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him.

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.

They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.

When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion

(Psalm 22:1–31; Mark 15:21–32; Luke 23:26–43; John 19:16–27)

As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross.

When they came to a place called “Golgotha”, that is to say, “The place of a skull,”

they gave him sour wine

(c)

to drink mixed with gall.(d) When he had tasted it, he would not drink.

When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,(e)

and they sat and watched him there.

They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.

Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads

and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”

Likewise the chief priests also mocking with the scribes, the Pharisees,(f) and the elders, said,

“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.

He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

The robbers also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach.

The Death of Jesus

(Psalm 22:1–31; Mark 15:33–41; Luke 23:44–49; John 19:28–30)

Now from the sixth hour

(g)

there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.(h)

About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima (i) sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (j)

Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”

Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him a drink.

The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”

Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.

Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.

The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.

Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were done, were terrified, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.

Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9–12; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42)

When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple, came.

This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.

Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth

and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

The Guards at the Tomb

Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate,

saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’

Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He is risen from the dead;’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”

Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.

Footnotes

(a)27:9 some manuscripts omit “Jeremiah”

(b)27:10 ℘ Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 19:1-13; 32:6-9

(d)27:34 Gall is a bitter-tasting, dark green oil from a wormwood plant that is alcoholic in its effect.

(e)27:35 TR adds “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: ‘They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots;’” [see Psalm 22:18 and John 19:24 ]

(f)27:41 TR omits “the Pharisees”

(g)27:45 noon

(h)27:45 p.m.

(i)27:46 TR reads “lama” instead of “lima”

(j)27:46 ℘ Psalms 22:1