提交彼拉多

27 到了清晨,所有的祭司長和民間的長老商議對付耶穌,為要處死他。 他們把耶穌捆起來帶走,交給總督彼拉多

猶大自縊

這時候,那出賣耶穌的猶大看見耶穌被定了死罪,就後悔,去把三十個銀錢退還給祭司長們和長老們, 說:「我出賣了無辜人的血,我有罪了。」

但是他們說:「這與我們有什麼關係?你自己看著辦吧!」

猶大把銀錢丟在聖所裡就退了出來,去上吊自殺了。

祭司長們撿起銀錢,說:「這既然是血錢,不可以放到聖殿奉獻裡。」 他們商議之後,就用那錢買了陶匠的一塊地,做為外國人的墳地。 因此,那塊地就被稱為「血田」,直到今天。 這就應驗了藉著先知耶利米所說的話:

「他們拿了那三十個銀錢,就是那人被定的價錢,是以色列子民所定的; 10 他們用這錢買了陶匠的那塊地,正如主所指示我的。」[a]

在彼拉多面前受審

11 耶穌站在總督面前,總督問他,說:「你是猶太人的王嗎?」

耶穌說:「是你說的。」 12 可是當他被祭司長們和長老們控告的時候,什麼都不回應。

13 彼拉多對他說:「他們控告你這麼多的事,你沒有聽見嗎?」 14 耶穌連一句話也不回答,以致總督感到非常驚奇。

耶穌或巴拉巴

15 每逢這節日,總督會照慣例,給民眾釋放一個他們所要的囚犯。 16 那時有一個出名的囚犯,叫巴拉巴 17 當民眾聚集的時候,彼拉多問他們:「你們要我給你們釋放哪一個呢?是巴拉巴,還是那稱為基督的耶穌?」 18 其實彼拉多知道他們是出於嫉妒才把耶穌交給他的。

19 彼拉多正坐在審判席上,他的妻子派人到他那裡說:「這義人的事,你什麼也不要管。要知道,我今天因他的緣故,在夢中受了很多苦。」

20 祭司長們和長老們挑唆眾人,叫他們要巴拉巴,而除滅耶穌。 21 總督問他們,說:「這兩個人中,你們要我給你們釋放哪一個呢?」

他們回答說:「巴拉巴!」

22 彼拉多對他們說:「那麼,我該怎麼處理這稱為基督的耶穌呢?」

他們都說:「把他釘上十字架!」

23 彼拉多說:「他到底做了什麼惡事呢?」

但他們卻越發喊叫說:「把他釘上十字架!」

24 彼拉多知道自己無濟於事,反而騷亂倒要發生,就拿水在眾人面前洗手,說:「流這人[b]的血,罪不在我,你們自己看著辦吧!」

25 全體民眾都回答說:「他的血歸在我們和我們兒女的身上!」 26 於是彼拉多給他們釋放了巴拉巴,然後將耶穌鞭打[c]了,把他交出去釘上十字架。

被士兵戲弄

27 那時,總督的士兵們把耶穌帶進總督府,召集了全隊士兵在他周圍。 28 他們剝下耶穌的衣服,給他套上一件深紅色的袍子, 29 用荊棘編了冠冕,戴在他的頭上,又把一根蘆葦放在他的右手裡,然後跪在他面前,戲弄他說:「萬歲,猶太人的王!」 30 接著向他吐唾沫,拿蘆葦打他的頭。 31 他們戲弄完了,就脫下他深紅色的袍子,給他穿上他自己的衣服,然後把他帶走,要釘上十字架。

被釘在罪犯之間

32 他們出去的時候,遇見一個名叫西門古利奈人,就強迫這個人來背耶穌的十字架。 33 他們來到一個地方,叫「各各他」——這意思是「骷髏地」; 34 他們把膽汁調和的酒[d]給耶穌喝。耶穌嘗了,不肯喝。 35 他們把耶穌釘上十字架以後,抽籤分了他的衣服,[e] 36 然後坐在那裡看守著他, 37 又在他的頭上方,安了他的罪狀牌,上面寫道:「這是耶穌,猶太人的王。」

38 那時,有兩個強盜與耶穌一起被釘十字架,一個在右邊,一個在左邊。 39 那些路過的人辱罵耶穌,搖著頭, 40 說:「你這個要拆毀聖所、三天內又建起來的人哪,救救你自己吧!你如果是神的兒子,就從十字架上下來吧!」 41 同樣,祭司長們也與經文士們和長老們[f]一起嘲笑,說: 42 「他救了別人,卻不能救自己!他是[g]以色列的王!現在讓他從十字架上下來吧,這樣我們就信靠他! 43 他依靠神,如果神喜悅他,就讓神現在救他吧!因為他說過『我是神的兒子。』」 44 與耶穌一起被釘十字架的強盜也同樣地責罵他。

耶穌之死

45 從中午十二點[h]起,黑暗籠罩了整個大地,一直到下午三點[i] 46 下午三點左右,耶穌大聲呼叫:「以利,以利!拉瑪撒巴克達尼?[j]——這意思是:「我的神,我的神!你為什麼離棄我?」[k]

47 站在那裡的一些人聽見了,就說:「這個人在呼喚以利亞呢!」

48 其中有一個人立刻跑去,拿了海綿蘸滿了酸酒,套在蘆葦上,要給他喝。 49 其他的人說:「等著吧,我們看以利亞會不會來救他。」

50 耶穌又大喊一聲,就交出了靈魂。 51 忽然,聖所裡的幔子從上到下裂成兩半。大地震動,岩石裂開。 52 墳墓也開了,許多已睡了的聖徒的身體復活了。 53 耶穌復活以後,他們從墳墓裡出來,進了聖城,向許多人顯現。

54 百夫長和那些與他一起看守耶穌的人,看見地震和所發生的事,就極其懼怕,說:「這個人真是神的兒子!」

55 那裡有許多婦女從遠處觀看,她們從加利利開始就跟隨耶穌,服事他。 56 其中有茉大拉瑪麗亞雅各約西[l]的母親瑪麗亞,以及西庇太兒子們的母親。

安葬

57 到了傍晚,來了一個亞利馬太的財主,名叫約瑟,他自己也是耶穌的門徒。 58 他來到彼拉多面前,請求要耶穌的遺體,彼拉多就下令給他。 59 約瑟領了耶穌的遺體,用潔白的細麻布裹好, 60 安放在自己的新墓穴裡,這墓穴是他鑿在岩石裡的。他又滾來一塊大石頭,堵住墓穴口,就離開了。 61 茉大拉瑪麗亞和另一個瑪麗亞在那裡,對著墳墓坐著。

嚴守墳墓

62 第二天,就是預備日的後一天,祭司長們和法利賽人在彼拉多那裡聚集, 63 說:「大人,我們想起當那個迷惑人的還活著時曾經說過:『在第三天我要復活。』 64 所以,請你下令嚴密看守那墳墓,一直到第三天,免得他的門徒們來[m]把他偷走,然後對民眾說他從死人中復活了,這樣,那最後的迷惑就要比先前的更厲害了。」

65 彼拉多對他們說:「你們有一隊衛兵,盡你們所能,嚴密看守吧!」 66 於是,他們帶著衛兵去,用印封上墓口的[n]石頭,嚴密看守墳墓。

Footnotes

  1. 馬太福音 27:10 《耶利米書》32:6-9;《撒迦利亞書》11:12-13。
  2. 馬太福音 27:24 這人——有古抄本作「這義人」。
  3. 馬太福音 27:26 鞭打——羅馬式鞭打使用的鞭子是帶有碎骨頭或金屬尖鉤的皮條,抽打時使人皮開肉綻,非常殘酷。
  4. 馬太福音 27:34 酒——有古抄本作「酸酒」。
  5. 馬太福音 27:35 有古抄本附「這是為要應驗那藉著先知所說的話:『他們分了我的衣服,又為我的衣裳抽籤。』」
  6. 馬太福音 27:41 有古抄本附「和法利賽人」。
  7. 馬太福音 27:42 他是——有古抄本作「如果他是」。
  8. 馬太福音 27:45 中午十二點——原文為「第六時刻」。
  9. 馬太福音 27:45 下午三點——原文為「第九時刻」。
  10. 馬太福音 27:46 以利,以利!拉瑪撒巴克達尼?——希伯來文詞語的音譯。
  11. 馬太福音 27:46 《詩篇》22:1。
  12. 馬太福音 27:56 約西——有古抄本作「約瑟」。
  13. 馬太福音 27:64 有古抄本附「夜裡」。
  14. 馬太福音 27:66 墓口的——輔助詞語。

犹大的下场

27 到了清晨,众祭司长和民间的长老商定要处死耶稣。 他们把祂绑起来,押送到总督彼拉多那里。

出卖耶稣的犹大看见耶稣被定了罪,感到很后悔,就把那三十块银子还给祭司长和长老,说: “我出卖了清白无辜的人,我犯罪了!”

他们说:“那是你自己的事,跟我们有什么关系?”

犹大把钱扔在圣殿里,出去上吊自尽了。

祭司长们捡起银子,说:“这是血钱,不可收进圣殿的库房。” 他们商议,决定用这些钱买下陶匠的地作为埋葬异乡人的坟场。 那块地至今被称为“血田”。 这就应验了耶利米先知的话:“他们用以色列人给祂估定的三十块银子, 10 买了陶匠的一块田,正如主指示我的。”

耶稣在彼拉多面前受审

11 耶稣站在总督面前受审。总督问:“你是犹太人的王吗?”

耶稣说:“如你所言。”

12 当祭司长和长老控告祂时,祂一句话也不说。 13 彼拉多就问:“你没听见他们对你的诸多控告吗?” 14 耶稣仍然一言不发,彼拉多感到十分惊奇。

15 每逢逾越节,总督会照惯例按民众的选择释放一个犯人。 16 那时,有一个恶名昭彰的囚犯名叫巴拉巴。 17 百姓聚在一起的时候,彼拉多就问他们:“你们要我给你们释放谁?巴拉巴还是被称为基督的耶稣?” 18 因为彼拉多知道他们把耶稣抓来是因为嫉妒。

19 彼拉多正坐堂断案时,他夫人派人来对他说:“你不要插手这个义人的事!我今天在梦中因为这个人受了许多苦。”

20 祭司长和长老却怂恿百姓要求释放巴拉巴,处死耶稣。 21 总督再次问百姓:“这两个人,你们要我释放哪一个?”他们说:“巴拉巴!”

22 彼拉多问:“那么,我怎样处置那个被称为基督的耶稣呢?”

他们齐声说:“把祂钉在十字架上!”

23 彼拉多问:“为什么?祂犯了什么罪?”

他们却更大声地喊叫:“把祂钉在十字架上!”

24 彼拉多见再说也无济于事,反而会引起骚乱,于是拿了一盆水来,在众人面前洗手,说:“流这义人的血,罪不在我,你们自己负责。”

25 众人都说:“流祂血的责任由我们和我们的子孙承担!”

26 于是,彼拉多为他们释放了巴拉巴,下令将耶稣鞭打后,带出去钉十字架。

耶稣受辱

27 士兵把耶稣押进总督府,叫全营的士兵都聚集在祂周围。 28 他们剥下耶稣的衣服,替祂披上一件朱红色的长袍, 29 用荆棘编成冠冕,戴在祂头上,又拿一根苇秆放在祂右手里,跪在祂跟前戏弄祂,说:“犹太人的王万岁!” 30 然后向祂吐唾沫,拿过苇秆打祂的头。 31 他们戏弄完了,就脱去祂的袍子,给祂穿上原来的衣服,把祂押出去钉十字架。

钉十字架

32 路上,他们遇见一个叫西门的古利奈人,就强迫他背耶稣的十字架。

33 来到一个地方,名叫各各他——意思是“髑髅地”, 34 士兵给耶稣喝掺了苦胆汁的酒,祂尝了一口,不肯喝。

35 他们把耶稣钉在十字架上,还抽签分了祂的衣服, 36 然后坐在那里看守。 37 他们在祂头顶上挂了一个牌子,上面写着祂的罪状:“这是犹太人的王耶稣”。 38 有两个强盗也被钉在十字架上,一个在祂右边,一个在祂左边。 39 过路的人都嘲笑祂,摇着头说: 40 “你这声称把圣殿拆毁又在三天内重建的人啊,救救自己吧!你要是上帝的儿子,就从十字架上下来吧!”

41 祭司长、律法教师和长老也嘲讽说: 42 “祂救了别人,却救不了自己!祂要是以色列的王,就从十字架上跳下来吧!我们就信祂。 43 祂说信靠上帝,如果上帝喜悦祂,就让上帝来救祂吧!因为祂自称是上帝的儿子。” 44 甚至跟祂一同被钉十字架的强盗也这样嘲笑祂。

耶稣之死

45 从正午一直到下午三点,黑暗笼罩着整个大地。 46 大约下午三点,耶稣大声呼喊:“以利,以利,拉马撒巴各大尼?”意思是:“我的上帝,我的上帝,你为什么离弃我?”

47 有些站在旁边的人听见了,就说:“这人在呼叫以利亚呢。” 48 其中一人连忙跑去拿了一块海绵,蘸满酸酒,绑在苇秆上送给祂喝。 49 其他人却说:“等一下!我们看看以利亚会不会来救祂。”

50 耶稣又大喊了一声,就断了气。

51 就在那时,圣殿里的幔子从上到下裂成两半,大地震动,岩石崩裂, 52 坟墓打开,很多死去的圣徒复活过来。 53 他们在耶稣复活后离开坟墓,进圣城向许多人显现。

54 看守耶稣的百夫长和士兵看见地震及所发生的一切,都很害怕,说:“这人真是上帝的儿子啊!” 55 有好些妇女在远处观看,她们从加利利就跟随了耶稣,服侍祂。 56 其中有抹大拉的玛丽亚、雅各和约西的母亲玛丽亚以及西庇太两个儿子的母亲。

封石守墓

57 傍晚,从亚利马太来了一位名叫约瑟的富人,他是耶稣的门徒。 58 他去求见彼拉多,要求领取耶稣的遗体,彼拉多就下令把耶稣的遗体交给他。 59 约瑟领了遗体,用干净的细麻布裹好, 60 安放在他为自己在岩壁上凿出的新墓穴里,并滚来一块大石头封闭墓穴的入口,然后离去。 61 那时,抹大拉的玛丽亚和另一个玛丽亚坐在坟墓的对面。

62 第二天,就是预备日之后的那天,祭司长和法利赛人一起来见彼拉多,说: 63 “总督大人,我们记得那个骗子生前曾说,‘三天之后,我必复活。’ 64 所以请你命人看守坟墓三天,以防祂的门徒偷走祂的尸体,然后对百姓说祂已经从死里复活。这样的迷惑会比以前的更厉害!”

65 彼拉多说:“你们带上卫兵,去那里严加看守。”

66 他们就带着卫兵去了,在墓口的石头上贴上封条,派人看守墓穴。

27 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Then 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,

Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

And 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.

And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

Then 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;

10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

11 And 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.

12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

19 When 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.

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24 When 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.

25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

29 And 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!

30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

31 And 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.

32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

35 And 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.

36 And sitting down they watched him there;

37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.

38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

40 And 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.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He 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.

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

46 And 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?

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48 And 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.

49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, 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;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now 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.

55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.

57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

60 And 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.

61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

64 Command 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.

65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

Judas Hangs Himself

27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed.(A) So they bound him, led him away and handed him over(B) to Pilate the governor.(C)

When Judas, who had betrayed him,(D) saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver(E) to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”(F)

So Judas threw the money into the temple(G) and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.(H)

The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood(I) to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:(J) “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”[a](K)

Jesus Before Pilate(L)

11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”(M)

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.(N) 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”(O) 14 But Jesus made no reply,(P) not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner(Q) chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[b] Barabbas. 17 So 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?”(R) 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat,(S) his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent(T) man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream(U) because of him.”

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.(V)

21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(W) Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar(X) was starting, he took water and washed his hands(Y) in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”(Z) he said. “It is your responsibility!”(AA)

25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”(AB)

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged,(AC) and handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus(AD)

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium(AE) and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,(AF) 29 and 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.(AG) 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.(AH) 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.(AI)

The Crucifixion of Jesus(AJ)

32 As they were going out,(AK) they met a man from Cyrene,(AL) named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.(AM) 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).(AN) 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall;(AO) but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(AP) 36 And sitting down, they kept watch(AQ) over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him,(AR) one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads(AS) 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,(AT) save yourself!(AU) Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”(AV) 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel!(AW) Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe(AX) in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him(AY) now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus(AZ)

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness(BA) came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[d](BB)

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar,(BC) put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.(BD)

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple(BE) was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split(BF) 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and[e] went into the holy city(BG) and appeared to many people.

54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding(BH) Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”(BI)

55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.(BJ) 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,[f] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.(BK)

The Burial of Jesus(BL)

57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb(BM) that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’(BN) 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body(BO) and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “Take a guard,”(BP) Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal(BQ) on the stone(BR) and posting the guard.(BS)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:10 See Zech. 11:12,13; Jer. 19:1-13; 32:6-9.
  2. Matthew 27:16 Many manuscripts do not have Jesus; also in verse 17.
  3. Matthew 27:46 Some manuscripts Eloi, Eloi
  4. Matthew 27:46 Psalm 22:1
  5. Matthew 27:53 Or tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they
  6. Matthew 27:56 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph