Friday: The Sanhedrin Delivers Jesus to Pilate
Matthew 27, verse 1. When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. Matthew 27, verse 2. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
The Death of Judas
Matthew 27, verse 3. Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Matthew 27, verse 4. saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it! ” Matthew 27, verse 5. Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. Matthew 27, verse 6. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.” Matthew 27, verse 7. And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Matthew 27, verse 8. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Matthew 27, verse 9. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, Matthew 27, verse 10. and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
“King of the Jews”
Matthew 27, verse 11. Now Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “ It is as you say.” Matthew 27, verse 12. And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Matthew 27, verse 13. Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?” Matthew 27, verse 14. But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
Pilate Barters over Barabbas
Matthew 27, verse 15. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. Matthew 27, verse 16. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Matthew 27, verse 17. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” Matthew 27, verse 18. For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. Matthew 27, verse 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 many things today in a dream because of Him.” Matthew 27, verse 20. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. Matthew 27, verse 21. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” Matthew 27, verse 22. Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Matthew 27, verse 23. Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” Matthew 27, verse 24. When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it. ” Matthew 27, verse 25. And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Matthew 27, verse 26. Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
Soldiers Mock Jesus as King
Matthew 27, verse 27. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. Matthew 27, verse 28. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. Matthew 27, verse 29. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Matthew 27, verse 30. Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. Matthew 27, verse 31. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
Matthew 27, verse 32. Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. Matthew 27, verse 33. And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, Matthew 27, verse 34. they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. Matthew 27, verse 35. Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Matthew 27, verse 36. Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. Matthew 27, verse 37. And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Matthew 27, verse 38. Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. Matthew 27, verse 39. And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads Matthew 27, verse 40. and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Matthew 27, verse 41. Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, Matthew 27, verse 42. “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. Matthew 27, verse 43. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” Matthew 27, verse 44. Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.
The Death of Jesus
Matthew 27, verse 45. Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. Matthew 27, verse 46. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27, verse 47. Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” Matthew 27, verse 48. Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. Matthew 27, verse 49. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” Matthew 27, verse 50. And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Matthew 27, verse 51. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, Matthew 27, verse 52. and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; Matthew 27, verse 53. and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27, verse 54. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27, verse 55. And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, Matthew 27, verse 56. among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
The Burial of Jesus
Matthew 27, verse 57. Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. Matthew 27, verse 58. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. Matthew 27, verse 59. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, Matthew 27, verse 60. and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. Matthew 27, verse 61. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Saturday: Guards at the Tomb
Matthew 27, verse 62. On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, Matthew 27, verse 63. saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Matthew 27, verse 64. Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” Matthew 27, verse 65. Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” Matthew 27, verse 66. So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.