Matthew 27
27
Thirty Silver Coins
1-2In the first light of dawn, all the high priests and religious leaders met and put the finishing touches on their plot to kill Jesus. Then they tied him up and paraded him to Pilate, the governor.
3-4Judas, the one who betrayed him, realized that Jesus was doomed. Overcome with remorse, he gave back the thirty silver coins to the high priests, saying, “I’ve sinned. I’ve betrayed an innocent man.”
They said, “What do we care? That’s your problem!”
5Judas threw the silver coins into the Temple and left. Then he went out and hung himself.
6-10The high priests picked up the silver pieces, but then didn’t know what to do with them. “It wouldn’t be right to give this—a payment for murder!—as an offering in the Temple.” They decided to get rid of it by buying the “Potter’s Field” and use it as a burial place for the homeless. That’s how the field got called “Murder Meadow,” a name that has stuck to this day. Then Jeremiah’s words became history:
They took the thirty silver pieces,
The price of the one priced by some sons of Israel,
And they purchased the potter’s field.
And so they unwittingly followed the divine instructions to the letter.
Pilate
11Jesus was placed before the governor, who questioned him: “Are you the ‘King of the Jews’?”
Jesus said, “If you say so.”
12-14But when the accusations rained down hot and heavy from the high priests and religious leaders, he said nothing. Pilate asked him, “Do you hear that long list of accusations? Aren’t you going to say something?” Jesus kept silence—not a word from his mouth. The governor was impressed, really impressed.
15-18It was an old custom during the Feast for the governor to pardon a single prisoner named by the crowd. At the time, they had the infamous Jesus Barabbas in prison. With the crowd before him, Pilate said, “Which prisoner do you want me to pardon: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus the so-called Christ?” He knew it was through sheer spite that they had turned Jesus over to him.
19While court was still in session, Pilate’s wife sent him a message: “Don’t get mixed up in judging this noble man. I’ve just been through a long and troubled night because of a dream about him.”
20Meanwhile, the high priests and religious leaders had talked the crowd into asking for the pardon of Barabbas and the execution of Jesus.
21The governor asked, “Which of the two do you want me to pardon?”
They said, “Barabbas!”
22“Then what do I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?”
They all shouted, “Nail him to a cross!”
23He objected, “But for what crime?”
But they yelled all the louder, “Nail him to a cross!”
24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was imminent, he took a basin of water and washed his hands in full sight of the crowd, saying, “I’m washing my hands of responsibility for this man’s death. From now on, it’s in your hands. You’re judge and jury.”
25The crowd answered, “We’ll take the blame, we and our children after us.”
26Then he pardoned Barabbas. But he had Jesus whipped, and then handed over for crucifixion.
The Crucifixion
27-31The soldiers assigned to the governor took Jesus into the governor’s palace and got the entire brigade together for some fun. They stripped him and dressed him in a red robe. They plaited a crown from branches of a thornbush and set it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand for a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mocking reverence: “Bravo, King of the Jews!” they said. “Bravo!” Then they spit on him and hit him on the head with the stick. When they had had their fun, they took off the robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they proceeded out to the crucifixion.
32-34Along the way they came on a man from Cyrene named Simon and made him carry Jesus’ cross. Arriving at Golgotha, the place they call “Skull Hill,” they offered him a mild painkiller (a mixture of wine and myrrh), but when he tasted it he wouldn’t drink it.
35-40After they had finished nailing him to the cross and were waiting for him to die, they killed time by throwing dice for his clothes. Above his head they had posted the criminal charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. Along with him, they also crucified two criminals, one to his right, the other to his left. People passing along the road jeered, shaking their heads in mock lament: “You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you’re really God’s Son, come down from that cross!”
41-44The high priests, along with the religion scholars and leaders, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: “He saved others—he can’t save himself! King of Israel, is he? Then let him get down from that cross. We’ll all become believers then! He was so sure of God—well, let him rescue his ‘Son’ now—if he wants him! He did claim to be God’s Son, didn’t he?” Even the two criminals crucified next to him joined in the mockery.
45-46From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around mid-afternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
47-49Some bystanders who heard him said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” One of them ran and got a sponge soaked in sour wine and lifted it on a stick so he could drink. The others joked, “Don’t be in such a hurry. Let’s see if Elijah comes and saves him.”
50But Jesus, again crying out loudly, breathed his last.
51-53At that moment, the Temple curtain was ripped in two, top to bottom. There was an earthquake, and rocks were split in pieces. What’s more, tombs were opened up, and many bodies of believers asleep in their graves were raised. (After Jesus’ resurrection, they left the tombs, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.)
54The captain of the guard and those with him, when they saw the earthquake and everything else that was happening, were scared to death. They said, “This has to be the Son of God!”
55-56There were also quite a few women watching from a distance, women who had followed Jesus from Galilee in order to serve him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the Zebedee brothers.
The Tomb
57-61Late in the afternoon a wealthy man from Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, arrived. His name was Joseph. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate granted his request. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance. Then he went off. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed, sitting in plain view of the tomb.
62-64After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. They said, “Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will be raised.’ We’ve got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There’s a good chance his disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, ‘He’s risen from the dead.’ Then we’ll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first.”
65-66Pilate told them, “You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can.” So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards.
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Matthew 27: MSG
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.
Matthew 27
27
Jesus Taken to Pilate
1 Now when it#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”) was early morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus in order to put him to death. 2And after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“tying”) which is understood as temporal tying him up, they led him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation away and handed him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation over to Pilate the governor.
The Suicide of Judas Iscariot
3Then when#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal Judas, the one who had betrayed him, saw that he had been condemned, he regretted what he had done#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“regretted”) has been translated as a finite verb returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and elders, 4saying, “I have sinned by#*Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“betraying”) which is understood as means betraying innocent blood!” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation 5And throwing the silver coins into the temple he departed. And he went away and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went away”) has been translated as a finite verb hanged himself. 6But the chief priests took the silver coins and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb said, “It is not permitted to put them into the temple treasury, because it is blood money.”#Literally “the price of blood” 7And after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“taking”) which is understood as temporal taking counsel, they purchased with#Literally “for” them the Potter’s Field, for a burial place for strangers. 8(For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood until today.) 9Then what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, who said, “And they took the thirty silver coins, the price of the one who had been priced, on whom a price had been set by the sons of Israel, 10and they gave them for the potter’s field, just as the Lord directed me.”#A quotation from various passages in Jeremiah including 18:2–6; 19:1–13; 32:6–15; see also Zech 11:12–13
Jesus Before Pilate
11So Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the king of the Jews?” And Jesus said, “You say so.” 12And when he was being accused#Literally “in the him being accused” by the chief priests and elders he answered nothing. 13Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” 14And he did not reply to him, not even with reference to one statement, so that the governor was very astonished.
Pilate Releases Barabbas
15Now at each feast, the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd—the one whom they wanted. 16And at that time they had a notorious prisoner named Jesus#Although many manuscripts omit “Jesus” here, it is so hard to explain why a scribe would have added it that the reading is probably original Barabbas.#“Barabbas” means “son of the father” in Aramaic 17So after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had assembled”) they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you—Jesus#Although many manuscripts omit “Jesus” here, it is so hard to explain why a scribe would have added it that the reading is probably original Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18(For he knew that they had handed him over because of envy. 19And while#*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was sitting”) he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man,#Literally “nothing to you and to that righteous man” for I have suffered much as a result of a dream today because of him.”) 20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should ask for Barabbas and put Jesus to death. 21So the governor answered and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas!” 22Pilate said to them, “What then should I do with Jesus, the one who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23And he said, “Why? What wrong has he done?” But they began to shout#*The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to shout”) even louder, saying, “Let him be crucified!”
24So Pilate, when he#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but instead an uproar was developing, took water and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb washed his#Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this man. You see to it!”#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation 25And all the people answered and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb said, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26Then he released Barabbas for them, but after#*Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“flogged”) which is understood as temporal he had Jesus flogged, he handed him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation over so that he could be crucified.
Jesus Is Mocked
27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s residence and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb gathered the whole cohort to him. 28And they stripped him and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stripped”) has been translated as a finite verb put a scarlet military cloak around him, 29and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation on his head, and put#This is an understood repetition of the verb from earlier in the verse a reed in his right hand. And kneeling down before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” 30And they spat on him and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“spat”) has been translated as a finite verb took the reed and repeatedly struck#The imperfect tense has been translated as iterative here (“repeatedly struck”) him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation on his head. 31And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the military cloak and put his own clothes on him, and led him away in order to crucify him.#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
Jesus Is Crucified
32And as they#*Here “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were going out”) which is understood as temporal were going out, they found a man of Cyrene named#Literally “by name” Simon. They forced this man to carry his cross. 33And when they#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull),#Literally “is called Place of a Skull” 34they gave him wine mixed with gall to drink, and when he#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“tasted”) which is understood as temporal tasted it#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation he did not want to drink it.#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation 35And when they#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had crucified”) which is understood as temporal had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves#*Here “among themselves” reflects the middle voice of the verb “divided” by#*Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“casting”) which is understood as means casting lots. 36And they sat down and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sat down”) has been translated as a finite verb were watching over him there. 37And they put above his head the charge against him in writing:#Literally “written” “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.” 38Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39And those who passed by reviled him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “The one who would destroy the temple and rebuild it#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” 41In the same way also the chief priests, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation saying, 42“He saved others; he is not able to 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 him deliver him now if he wants to,#Or “let him deliver him now if he wants him” because he said, ‘I am the Son of God’!” 44And in the same way even the robbers who were crucified with him were reviling him.
Jesus Dies on the Cross
45Now from the sixth hour, darkness came 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?”)#A quotation from Ps 22:1 47And some of those who were standing there, when they#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal heard it,#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation said, “This man is summoning Elijah!” 48And immediately one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation with sour wine and put it#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation on a reed and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participles (“ran … took … filled … put”) have been translated as finite verbs gave it#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation to him to drink. 49But the others said, “Leave him#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation alone! let us see if Elijah is coming to save him.” 50And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“cried out”) has been translated as a finite verb gave up his#*Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun 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. 52And 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 went into the holy city and appeared to many.
54Now the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus, when they#*Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw the earthquake and the things that took place, were extremely frightened, saying, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” 55And there were many women there, observing from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him, 56among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Jesus Is Buried
57Now when it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who also was a disciple of Jesus himself. 58This man approached Pilate and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“approached”) has been translated as a finite verb asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation to be given to him.#*The words “to him” are not in the Greek text but are implied 59And Joseph took the body and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a large stone to the entrance of the tomb and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“rolled”) has been translated as a finite verb went away. 61Now Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
The Tomb Is Sealed and Guarded
62Now on the next day, which is after the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate, 63saying, “Sir, we remember that while#*Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“alive”) which is understood as temporal that deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples come and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“come”) has been translated as a finite verb steal him and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it#*Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation as secure as you know how.” 66So they went with the guard of soldiers and#*Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went”) has been translated as a finite verb made the tomb secure by#*Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sealing”) which is understood as means sealing the stone.
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