1 E arly 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.

Poi, venuta la mattina, tutti i capi dei sacerdoti e gli anziani del popolo tennero consiglio contro Gesù per farlo morire.

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

E, legatolo, lo portarono via e lo consegnarono a Pilato, il governatore. Vano rimorso di Giuda

3 T hen 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.

Allora Giuda, che l’aveva tradito, vedendo che Gesù era stato condannato, si pentì e riportò i trenta sicli d’argento ai capi dei sacerdoti e agli anziani,

4 H e 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.”

dicendo: «Ho peccato, consegnandovi sangue innocente». Ma essi dissero: «Che c’importa? Pensaci tu».

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

Ed egli, buttati i sicli nel tempio, si allontanò e andò a impiccarsi.

6 T he 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.”

Ma i capi dei sacerdoti, presi quei sicli, dissero: «Non è lecito metterli nel tesoro delle offerte, perché sono prezzo di sangue».

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

E, tenuto consiglio, comprarono con quel denaro il campo del vasaio perché servisse per la sepoltura degli stranieri.

8 B ecause of this, that land is called the Field of Blood to this day.

Perciò quel campo, fino al giorno d’oggi, è stato chiamato «Campo di sangue».

9 I t 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.

Allora si adempì quello che era stato detto dal profeta Geremia: «E presero i trenta sicli d’argento, il prezzo di colui che era stato venduto, come era stato valutato dai figli d’Israele,

10 A nd they bought land to bury strangers in, as the Lord told me.”

e li diedero per il campo del vasaio, come me l’aveva ordinato il Signore». Gesù davanti a Pilato

11 T hen 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.”

Gesù comparve davanti al governatore e il governatore lo interrogò, dicendo: «Sei tu il re dei Giudei?» Gesù disse: «Tu lo dici».

12 W hen the head religious leaders and the other leaders spoke against Him, He said nothing.

E, accusato dai capi dei sacerdoti e dagli anziani, non rispose nulla.

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

Allora Pilato gli disse: «Non senti quante cose testimoniano contro di te?»

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

Ma egli non gli rispose neppure una parola; e il governatore se ne meravigliava molto. Gesù o Barabba?

15 A t 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.

Ogni festa di Pasqua il governatore era solito liberare un carcerato, quello che la folla voleva.

16 T hey had a man who was known by all the people whose name was Barabbas.

Avevano allora un noto carcerato di nome Barabba.

17 W hen 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?”

Essendo dunque radunati, Pilato domandò loro: «Chi volete che vi liberi, Barabba o Gesù detto Cristo?»

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

Perché egli sapeva che glielo avevano consegnato per invidia.

19 W hile 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.”

Mentre egli sedeva in tribunale, la moglie gli mandò a dire: «Non aver nulla a che fare con quel giusto, perché oggi ho sofferto molto in sogno per causa sua».

20 T he 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.

Ma i capi dei sacerdoti e gli anziani persuasero la folla a chiedere Barabba e a far morire Gesù.

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

E il governatore si rivolse di nuovo a loro, dicendo: «Quale dei due volete che vi liberi?» E quelli dissero: «Barabba».

22 P ilate 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!”

E Pilato a loro: «Che farò dunque di Gesù detto Cristo?» Tutti risposero: «Sia crocifisso».

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

Ma egli riprese: «Che male ha fatto?» Ma quelli sempre più gridavano: «Sia crocifisso!»

24 P ilate 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.”

Pilato, vedendo che non otteneva nulla ma che si sollevava un tumulto, prese dell’acqua e si lavò le mani in presenza della folla, dicendo: «Io sono innocente di questo sangue; pensateci voi».

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

E tutto il popolo rispose: «Il suo sangue ricada su di noi e sui nostri figli».

26 P ilate 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

Allora egli liberò loro Barabba; e, dopo aver fatto flagellare Gesù, lo consegnò perché fosse crocifisso. Gesù coronato di spine

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

Allora i soldati del governatore portarono Gesù nel pretorio e radunarono attorno a lui tutta la coorte.

28 T hey took off His clothes and put a purple coat on Him.

E, spogliatolo, gli misero addosso un manto scarlatto;

29 T hey 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!”

intrecciata una corona di spine, gliela posero sul capo e gli misero una canna nella mano destra e, inginocchiandosi davanti a lui, lo schernivano, dicendo: «Salve, re dei Giudei!»

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

E gli sputavano addosso, prendevano la canna e gli percuotevano il capo.

31 A fter 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.

E, dopo averlo schernito, lo spogliarono del manto e lo rivestirono dei suoi abiti; poi lo condussero via per crocifiggerlo. La crocifissione di Gesù

32 A s 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

Mentre uscivano, trovarono un uomo di Cirene, chiamato Simone, e lo costrinsero a portare la croce di Gesù.

33 T hey came to a place called Golgotha. This name means the place of a skull.

E giunti a un luogo detto Golgota, che vuol dire «luogo del teschio»,

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

gli diedero da bere del vino mescolato con fiele; ma Gesù, assaggiatolo, non volle berne.

35 W hen 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.”

Poi, dopo averlo crocifisso, spartirono i suoi vestiti tirando a sorte;

36 T hen they sat down and watched Him.

e, postisi a sedere, gli facevano la guardia.

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

Al di sopra del capo gli posero scritto il motivo della condanna: «Questo è Gesù, il re dei Giudei».

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

Allora furono crocifissi con lui due ladroni, uno a destra e l’altro a sinistra.

39 T hose who walked by shook their heads and laughed at Him.

E quelli che passavano di là lo ingiuriavano, scuotendo il capo e dicendo:

40 T hey 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.”

«Tu che distruggi il tempio e in tre giorni lo ricostruisci, salva te stesso! Se tu sei Figlio di Dio, scendi giù dalla croce!»

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

Così pure, i capi dei sacerdoti con gli scribi e gli anziani, beffandosi, dicevano:

42 “ 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.

«Ha salvato altri e non può salvare se stesso! È il re d’Israele; scenda ora giù dalla croce, e noi crederemo in lui.

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

Si è confidato in Dio: lo liberi ora, se lo gradisce, poiché ha detto: “Sono Figlio di Dio”».

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

E nello stesso modo lo insultavano anche i ladroni crocifissi con lui. Morte di Gesù

45 F rom noon until three o’clock it was dark over all the land.

Dall’ora sesta si fecero tenebre su tutto il paese, fino all’ora nona.

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

E, verso l’ora nona, Gesù gridò a gran voce: «Elì, Elì, lamà sabactàni?», cioè: «Dio mio, Dio mio, perché mi hai abbandonato?»

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

Alcuni dei presenti, udito ciò, dicevano: «Costui chiama Elia».

48 A t 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.

E subito uno di loro corse a prendere una spugna e, inzuppatala di aceto, la pose in cima a una canna e gli diede da bere.

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

Ma gli altri dicevano: «Lascia, vediamo se Elia viene a salvarlo».

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

E Gesù, avendo di nuovo gridato con gran voce, rese lo spirito.

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

Ed ecco, la cortina del tempio si squarciò in due, da cima a fondo, la terra tremò, le rocce si schiantarono,

52 G raves were opened. Bodies of many of God’s people who were dead were raised.

le tombe s’aprirono e molti corpi dei santi, che dormivano, risuscitarono;

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

e, usciti dai sepolcri dopo la risurrezione di lui, entrarono nella città santa e apparvero a molti.

54 T he 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

Il centurione e quelli che con lui facevano la guardia a Gesù, visto il terremoto e le cose avvenute, furono presi da grande spavento e dissero: «Veramente costui era Figlio di Dio».

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

C’erano là molte donne che guardavano da lontano; esse avevano seguito Gesù dalla Galilea per assisterlo;

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

tra di loro erano Maria Maddalena, Maria, madre di Giacomo e di Giuseppe, e la madre dei figli di Zebedeo. Seppellimento di Gesù

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

Fattosi sera, venne un uomo ricco di Arimatea, chiamato Giuseppe, il quale era diventato anche lui discepolo di Gesù.

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

Questi, presentatosi a Pilato, chiese il corpo di Gesù. Allora Pilato comandò che gli fosse dato.

59 J oseph took the body and put clean linen cloth around it.

Giuseppe prese il corpo, lo avvolse in un lenzuolo pulito

60 H e 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.

e lo depose nella propria tomba nuova, che aveva fatto scavare nella roccia. Poi, dopo aver rotolato una grande pietra contro l’apertura del sepolcro, se ne andò.

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

Maria Maddalena e l’altra Maria erano lì, sedute di fronte al sepolcro. Il sepolcro sigillato e custodito

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

L’indomani, che era il giorno successivo alla Preparazione, i capi dei sacerdoti e i farisei si riunirono da Pilato, dicendo:

63 T hey 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.’

«Signore, ci siamo ricordati che quel seduttore, mentre viveva ancora, disse: “Dopo tre giorni risusciterò”.

64 S peak 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.”

Ordina dunque che il sepolcro sia sicuramente custodito fino al terzo giorno; perché i suoi discepoli non vengano a rubarlo e dicano al popolo: “È risuscitato dai morti”; così l’ultimo inganno sarebbe peggiore del primo».

65 P ilate said to them, “Take the soldiers. Go and watch the grave.”

Pilato disse loro: «Avete delle guardie. Andate, assicurate la sorveglianza come credete».

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

Ed essi andarono ad assicurare il sepolcro, sigillando la pietra e mettendovi la guardia.