1 W hen the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

Early in the morning all the head religious leaders of the Jews and the leaders of the people gathered together and talked about how they could put Jesus to death.

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

They tied Him and took Him away. Then they handed Him over to Pilate who was the leader of the country.

3 T hen Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Then Judas was sorry he had handed Jesus over when he saw that Jesus was going to be killed. He took back the thirty pieces of silver and gave it to the head religious leaders and the other leaders.

4 S aying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

He said, “I have sinned because I handed over a Man Who has done no wrong.” And they said, “What is that to us? That is your own doing.”

5 A nd he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

He threw the money down in the house of God and went outside. Then he went away and killed himself by hanging from a rope.

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

The head religious leaders took the money. They said, “It is against the Law to put this money in the house of God. This money has bought blood.”

7 A nd they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

They talked about what to do with the money. Then they decided to buy land to bury strangers in.

8 W herefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

Because of this, that land is called the Field of Blood to this day.

9 T hen was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

It happened as the early preacher Jeremiah said it would happen. He said, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver which was the price the Jews said they would pay for Him.

10 A nd gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

And they bought land to bury strangers in, as the Lord told me.”

11 A nd Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

Then Jesus stood in front of the leader of the country. The leader asked Jesus, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “What you say is true.”

12 A nd when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

When the head religious leaders and the other leaders spoke against Him, He said nothing.

13 T hen said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear all these things they are saying against You?”

14 A nd he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Jesus did not say a word. The leader was much surprised and wondered about it. Jesus or Barabbas Is to Go Free

15 N ow at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

At the special supper each year the leader of the country would always let one person who was in prison go free. It would be the one the people wanted.

16 A nd they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

They had a man who was known by all the people whose name was Barabbas.

17 T herefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

When they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to let go free? Should it be Barabbas or Jesus Who is called Christ?”

18 F or he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

For the leader of the country knew the religious leaders had given Jesus over to him because they were jealous.

19 W hen he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

While Pilate was sitting in the place where he judges, his wife sent him this word, “Have nothing to do with that good Man. I have been troubled today in a dream about Him.”

20 B ut the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

The head religious leaders and the other leaders talked the many people into asking for Barabbas to go free and for Jesus to be put to death.

21 T he governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

The leader of the country said to them, “Which one of the two do you want me to let go free?” They said, “Barabbas.”

22 P ilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

Pilate said to them, “Then what am I to do with Jesus Who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Nail Him to a cross!”

23 A nd the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

Then Pilate said, “Why, what bad thing has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Nail Him to a cross!”

24 W hen Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

Pilate saw that he could do nothing. The people were making loud calls and there was much pushing around. He took water and washed his hands in front of the many people. He said, “I am not guilty of the blood of this good Man. This is your own doing.”

25 T hen answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Then all the people said, “Let His blood be on us and on our children!”

26 T hen released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Pilate let Barabbas go free but he had men whip Jesus. Then he handed Him over to be nailed to a cross. The Crown of Thorns

27 T hen the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

Then the soldiers of Pilate took Jesus into a large room. A big group of soldiers gathered around Him.

28 A nd they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

They took off His clothes and put a purple coat on Him.

29 A nd when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon 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!

They put a crown of thorns on His head. They put a stick in His right hand. They got on their knees before Him and made fun of Him. They said, “Hello, King of the Jews!”

30 A nd they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

They spit on Him. They took a stick and hit Him on the head.

31 A nd after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

After they had made fun of Him, they took the coat off and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him away to be nailed to a cross.

32 A nd as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

As they were on the way, they came to a man called Simon from the country of Cyrene. They made him carry the cross for Jesus. Jesus on the Cross

33 A nd when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

They came to a place called Golgotha. This name means the place of a skull.

34 T hey gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

They gave Him wine with something in it to take away the pain. After tasting it, He took no more.

35 A nd they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

When they had nailed Him to the cross, they divided His clothes by drawing names. It happened as the early preacher said it would happen. He said, “They divided My clothes among them by drawing names to see who would get My coat.”

36 A nd sitting down they watched him there;

Then they sat down and watched Him.

37 A nd set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.

Over His head they put in writing what they had against Him, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. The Two Robbers

38 T hen were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

They nailed two robbers to crosses beside Him. One was on His right side. The other was on His left side.

39 A nd they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

Those who walked by shook their heads and laughed at Him.

40 A nd saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

They said, “You are the One Who could destroy the house of God and build it up again in three days. Now save Yourself. If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

41 L ikewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

The head religious leaders and the teachers of the Law and the other leaders made fun of Him also. They said,

42 H e saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

“He saved others but He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of the Jews, let Him come down from the cross. Then we will believe in Him.

43 H e trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

He trusts God. Let God save Him now, if God cares for Him. He has said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”

44 T he thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

And the robbers who were nailed to crosses beside Him made fun of Him the same way also. The Death of Jesus

45 N ow from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

From noon until three o’clock it was dark over all the land.

46 A nd about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

About three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “My God, My God, why have You left Me alone?”

47 S ome of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

When some of those who stood by heard that, they said, “This Man is calling for Elijah.”

48 A nd straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

At once one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it with sour wine. He put it on a stick and gave it to Him to drink.

49 T he rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

The others said, “Let Him alone. Let us see if Elijah will come and save Him.”

50 J esus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Then Jesus gave another loud cry and gave up His spirit and died. The Powerful Works at the Time of His Death

51 A nd, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

At once the curtain in the house of God was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks fell apart.

52 A nd the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

Graves were opened. Bodies of many of God’s people who were dead were raised.

53 A nd came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

After Jesus was raised from the grave, these arose from their graves and went into Jerusalem, the Holy City. These were seen by many people.

54 N ow when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

The captain of the soldiers and those with him who were watching Jesus, saw all the things that were happening. They saw the earth shake and they were very much afraid. They said, “For sure, this Man was the Son of God.” The Women at the Cross

55 A nd many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

Many women were looking on from far away. These had followed Jesus from the country of Galilee. They had cared for Him.

56 A mong which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.

Among them was Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. The Grave of Jesus

57 W hen the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

When it was evening, a rich man came from the city of Arimathea. His name was Joseph. He was a follower of Jesus also.

58 H e went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate said that the body should be given to him.

59 A nd when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

Joseph took the body and put clean linen cloth around it.

60 A nd laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

He laid it in his own new grave. This grave had been cut out in the side of a rock. He pushed a big stone over the door of the grave and went away.

61 A nd there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary stayed there. They were sitting near the grave.

62 N ow the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

The next day, the day after Jesus was killed, the head religious leaders and the proud religious law-keepers gathered together in front of Pilate.

63 S aying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

They said, “Sir, we remember what that Man Who fooled people said when He was living, ‘After three days I am to rise from the dead.’

64 C ommand therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

Speak the word to have the grave watched for three days. Then His followers cannot come at night and take Him away and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ The last mistake would be worse than the first.”

65 P ilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

Pilate said to them, “Take the soldiers. Go and watch the grave.”

66 S o they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

Then they went and made the soldiers stand by the grave. They put a lock on the big stone door.