Matthew 27:1-26

Common English Bible

Jesus before Pilate

27 Early in the morning all the chief priests and the elders of the people reached the decision to have Jesus put to death. ² They bound him, led him away, and turned him over to Pilate the governor.

Judas’ death

³ When Judas, who betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned to die, he felt deep regret. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, and ⁴ said, “I did wrong because I betrayed an innocent man.”

But they said, “What is that to us? That’s your problem.” ⁵ Judas threw the silver pieces into the temple and left. Then he went and hanged himself.

⁶ The chief priests picked up the silver pieces and said, “According to the Law it’s not right to put this money in the treasury. Since it was used to pay for someone’s life, it’s unclean.” ⁷ So they decided to use it to buy the potter’s field where strangers could be buried. ⁸ That’s why that field is called “Field of Blood” to this very day. ⁹ This fulfilled the words of Jeremiah the prophet: And I took the thirty pieces of silver, the price for the one whose price had been set by some of the Israelites, ¹⁰ and I gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.^[a]

Questioned by Pilate

¹¹ Jesus was brought before the governor. The governor said, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus replied, “That’s what you say.” ¹² But he didn’t answer when the chief priests and elders accused him.

¹³ Then Pilate said, “Don’t you hear the testimony they bring against you?” ¹⁴ But he didn’t answer, not even a single word. So the governor was greatly amazed.

Death sentence

¹⁵ It was customary during the festival for the governor to release to the crowd one prisoner, whomever they might choose. ¹⁶ At that time there was a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. ¹⁷ When the crowd had come together, Pilate asked them, “Whom would you like me to release to you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?” ¹⁸ He knew that the leaders of the people had handed him over because of jealousy.

¹⁹ While he was serving as judge, his wife sent this message to him, “Leave that righteous man alone. I’ve suffered much today in a dream because of him.”

²⁰ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and kill Jesus. ²¹ The governor said, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”

“Barabbas,” they replied.

²² Pilate said, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”

They all said, “Crucify him!”

²³ But he said, “Why? What wrong has he done?”

They shouted even louder, “Crucify him!”

²⁴ Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere and that a riot was starting. So he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I’m innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It’s your problem.”

²⁵ All the people replied, “Let his blood be on us and on our children.” ²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus whipped, then handed him over to be crucified.