Matthew 27:1-21 ▼

1 NOW when the morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus how they might put him to death.

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

3 Then Judas who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting, carried back the thirty silver pieces to the chief priests and the elders,

4 saying, I have sinned, in betraying innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

5 And throwing down the silver pieces in the temple, he departed; and going out, hanged himself.

6 Then the chief priests taking up the silver pieces, said, It is not lawful to put them to the treasure destined for sacred uses, because it is the price of blood.

7 So taking counsel, they bought with them a potter's field, as a burial-place for strangers.

8 Therefore is that field called, The field of blood unto this day.

9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty silver pieces, the price of him who had been estimated at that rate, whom they of the children of Israel did value:

10 and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord had ordered me.

11 Then was Jesus placed before the governor, and the governor interrogated him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? Then Jesus replied to him, Thou sayest true .

12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he made no reply.

13 Then saith Pilate to him, Hearest thou not how many things they testify against thee?

14 And he made him no reply, no not to a single word: so that the governor marvelled exceedingly.

15 Now at the feast, the governor had been accustomed to release one prisoner to the people, whomsoever they chose.

16 And they had at that time a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 Being therefore gathered around him, Pilate said to them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus called Messiah?

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

19 Then, as he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent a message to him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that righteous person; for I have suffered much to-day in a dream on his account.

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

21 The governor repeating the question, said to them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? They said Barabbas.