Matthew 27:1-26 ▼

1 As soon as it was day, all the chief priests and senators of the people consulted measures against Jesus how they might put him to death.

2 and when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor of Judea.

3 At the same time, Judas who had betrayed him, finding that he was condemned, repented, and carried back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and senators, saying,

4 I have sinned in betraying the blood of the innocent: and they said, what is it to us? you must look to that.

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

6 but the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, it is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

7 and having consulted together, they laid out the money in buying the potter's field, to serve for a burying place for strangers.

8 for this reason the field is called the field of blood to this day.

9 then was fulfilled what Jeremy the prophet said, "and they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price at which he was valued, by the children of Israel,

10 and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me."

11 When Jesus appear'd before the governor, the governor asked him, art thou the king of the Jews? and Jesus answer'd yes.

12 but when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he return'd no answer.

13 whereupon Pilate said to him, don't you hear how many things they lay to your charge?

14 but he made no answer to any thing he said, so that the governor was very much surpriz'd.

15 Now it was customary at that feast for the governor to release a prisoner, such as the people should nominate.

16 there happen'd to be then in custody a notorious criminal, nam'd Barabbas.

17 therefore when they were assembled, Pilate said to them, who would you have releas'd? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?

18 for he was sensible that they had delivered him up out of meer envy.

19 Whilst he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent this message to him, pray, have nothing to do with that just man: for to-day I have suffered very much on his account in a dream.

20 but the chief priests and senators persuaded the people to demand Barabbas, and put to death Jesus.

21 the governor therefore having asked, which of the two would you have me release? they said, Barabbas.

22 Pilate replied, what shall I do then with Jesus, who is called Christ? they all cried out, let him be crucified.

23 the governor said, why, what mischief has he done? but they cried out the more, let him be crucified.

24 Pilate perceiving he was so far from prevailing, that they were more tumultuous, he took water, and washed his hands before all the people, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: you are answerable for it.

25 at this all the people cry'd out, "his blood be on us, and on our children."

26 Then he released to them Barabbas: but he order'd Jesus to be scourged, and delivered up to be crucified.