Matthew 27:1-21 ▼

1 When the morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people held a consultation against Jesus, that they might put him to death.

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

3 Then Judas, who had delivered him up, when he saw that he was condemned, stung by remorse, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

4 saying: I have sinned in having delivered up innocent blood. They replied: What is that to us? You will see to that.

5 And he threw down the money in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

6 And the chief priests took the money, and said: It is not lawful to put it into the sacred treasury, because it is the price of blood.

7 And they took counsel, and bought with it the potter's field, as a burial-place for foreigners.

8 For this reason, that field is called the field of blood, to this day.

9 Then the word was fulfilled which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that had a price set upon him, on whom some of the children of Israel did set a price,

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: Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus replied to him: You say it.

12 And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer.

13 Then Pilate said to him: Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?

14 And he gave him answer to not one word, so that the governor was greatly astonished.

15 Now at the feast, the governor was in the habit of releasing to the multitude one prisoner, whom they chose.

16 They then had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 Therefore, while they were together, Pilate said to them: Which do you wish me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?

18 For he knew that through envy they had delivered him up.

19 While he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent to him, saying: Have nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered much today in a dream, because of him.

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitude to ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

21 The governor answered and said to them: Which of the two do you wish me to release to you? They replied: Barabbas.