Matthew 27:1-21 ▼

1 And as soon as it was morning all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, how to get Him executed:

2 so they bound Him and led Him away, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the Roman governor.

3 Then Judas, who had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, being struck with remorse, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders,

4 saying, I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood: but they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

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

6 But the chief priests took up the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury of the temple, because it is the price of blood:

7 so they consulted together, and bought with them the potter's field for a burying- ground for strangers:

8 and therefore that field is called the field of blood to this day.

9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was estimated, on whom the children of Israel set the 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, Art thou the king of the Jews? And Jesus answered him, It is as thou sayest.

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

13 Then saith Pilate to Him, Dost thou not hear how many things they witness against thee?

14 but He answered him not one word: so that the governor was much astonished.

15 Now the governor used at the feast to release a prisoner to the people, whom soever they desired:

16 and they had then a notorious malefactor named Barabbas.

17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you?

18 Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ? for he knew that out of envy they had delivered Him up.

19 (And while he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent to him, saying, Have nothing to do with that righteous man: for I have suffered much in a dream to day on his account.)

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the common people to ask for Barabbas, and so to destroy Jesus.

21 And the governor said to them, Which of the two would you have me release to you? and they said, Barabbas.