Matthew 27:1-26 ▼

1 WHEN it was morning, the high priests and the elders of the people took counsel concerning Jesus, how to put him to death.

2 So they bound him, and took him and delivered him to Pilate the governor.

3 Then Judas the traitor, when he saw that Jesus was convicted, repented, and went away and brought back the same thirty pieces of silver to the high priests and the elders.

4 And he said, I have sinned, because I have betrayed innocent blood. But they said to him, What is that to us? You know better.

5 Then he threw the silver in the temple, and departed; and he went and hanged himself.

6 The high priests took the silver and said, It is not lawful to put it in the house of offerings, because it is the price of blood.

7 And they took counsel, and bought with it the potter’s field, for a cemetery for strangers.

8 On this account that field was called The field of blood, to this day.

9 Then what was spoken by the prophet was fulfilled, who said, I took the thirty pieces of silver, the costly price which was bargained with the children of Israel.

10 And I gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.

11 And Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him and said to him, Are you the King of the Jews? Jesus said to him, You say that.

12 And while the chief priests and elders were accusing him, he gave no answer.

13 Then Pilate said to him, Do you not hear how much they testify against you?

14 But he did not answer him, not even a word; and because of this Pilate marvelled greatly.

15 Now on every feast day it was the custom of the governor to release one prisoner to the people, anyone whom they wanted.

16 They had a well-known prisoner, called Bar-Abbas, who was bound.

17 When they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, Whom do you want me to release to you? Bar-Abbas, or Jesus who is called the Christ?

18 For Pilate knew that because of envy they had delivered him.

19 When the governor was sitting on his judgment seat, his wife sent to him and said to him, Have nothing to do with that righteous man; for today I have suffered a great deal in my dream because of him.

20 But the high priests and the elders urged the people to ask for Bar-Abbas, and to destroy Jesus.

21 And the governor answered and said to them, Which of these two do you want me to release to you? They said, Bar-Abbas.

22 Pilate said to them, What shall I then do with Jesus who is called the Christ? They all said, Let him be crucified.

23 Pilate said to them, What evil has he done? But they cried out the more and said, Let him be crucified.

24 Now when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but that instead confusion was increasing, he took water and washed his hands before the people, and said, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man; do as you please.

25 All the people then answered and said, Let his blood be on us and on our children.

26 Then he released to them Bar-Abbas, and had Jesus scourged with whips, and delivered to be crucified.