1 A nd morning having come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, so as 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 having bound him, they did lead away, and delivered him up 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 -- he who delivered him up -- having seen that he was condemned, having repented, brought back the thirty silverlings to the chief priests, and to the elders, saying,

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 ` I did sin, having delivered up innocent blood;' and they said, `What -- to us? thou shalt see!'

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 having cast down the silverlings in the sanctuary, he departed, and having gone away, he did strangle 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 having taken the silverlings, said, `It is not lawful to put them to the treasury, seeing 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 having taken counsel, they bought with them the field of the potter, for the burial of strangers;

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

8 t herefore was that field called, `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 spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, `And I took the thirty silverlings, the price of him who hath been priced, whom they of the sons of Israel did price,

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 field of the potter, as the Lord did appoint to 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 did question him, saying, `Art thou the king of the Jews!' And Jesus said to 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 in his being accused by the chief priests and the elders, he did not answer any thing,

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

13 t hen saith Pilate to him, `Dost thou not hear 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 did not answer him, not even to one word, so that the governor did wonder greatly.

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

15 A nd at the feast the governor had been accustomed to release one to the multitude, a prisoner, whom they willed,

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 noted prisoner, called Barabbas,

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

17 t hey therefore having been gathered together, Pilate said to them, `Whom will ye I shall release to you? Barabbas or Jesus who 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 had known that because of envy they had delivered him up.

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

19 A nd as he is sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent unto him, saying, `Nothing -- to thee and to that righteous one, for many things did I suffer to-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 A nd the chief priests and the elders did persuade the multitudes that they might ask for themselves Barabbas, and might 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 a nd the governor answering said to them, `Which of the two will ye I shall release to you?' And 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 to them, `What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all say to him, `Let 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 did he?' and they were crying out the more, saying, `Let 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 A nd Pilate having seen that it profiteth nothing, but rather a tumult is made, having taken water, he did wash the hands before the multitude, saying, `I am innocent from the blood of this righteous one; ye -- ye shall see;'

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 a nd all the people answering said, `His blood upon us, and upon our children!'

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

26 T hen did he release to them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered up that he may 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 having taken Jesus to the Praetorium, did gather to him all the band;

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

28 a nd having unclothed him, they put around him a crimson cloak,

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

29 a nd having plaited him a crown out of thorns they put on his head, and a reed in his right hand, and having kneeled before him, they were mocking him, saying, `Hail, the 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 having spit on him, they took the reed, and were smiting on his head;

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

31 a nd when they had mocked him, they took off from him the cloak, and put on him his own garments, and led him away to crucify.

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 coming forth, they found a man, a Cyrenian, by name Simon: him they impressed that he might 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 having come to a place called Golgotha, that is called Place of a Skull,

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

34 t hey gave him to drink vinegar mixed with gall, and having tasted, 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 having crucified him, they divided his garments, casting a lot, that it might be fulfilled that was spoken by the prophet, `They divided my garments to themselves, and over my vesture they cast a lot;'

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 were watching him there,

Then they sat down and watched Him.

37 a nd they put 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 crucified with him are two robbers, one on the right hand, and one 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 those passing by were speaking evil of him, wagging their heads,

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

40 a nd saying, `Thou that art throwing down the sanctuary, and in three days building, save thyself; if Son thou art 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 A nd in like manner also the chief priests mocking, 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 ` Others he saved; himself he is not able to save! If he be King of Israel, let him come down now 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 hath trusted on God, let Him now deliver him, if He wish him, because he said -- Son of God I am;'

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

44 w ith the same also the robbers, who were crucified with him, were reproaching him.

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

45 A nd from the sixth hour darkness came 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 out with a great voice, saying, `Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' that is, `My God, my God, why didst Thou forsake me?'

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

47 A nd certain of those standing there having heard, said -- `Elijah he doth call;'

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

48 a nd immediately, one of them having run, and having taken a spunge, having filled with vinegar, and having put on a reed, was giving 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 b ut the rest said, `Let alone, let us see if Elijah doth come -- about to save him.'

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

50 A nd Jesus having again cried with a great voice, yielded the spirit;

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 lo, the vail of the sanctuary was rent in two from top unto bottom, and the earth did quake, and the rocks were 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 tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who have fallen asleep, arose,

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

53 a nd having come forth out of the tombs after his rising, they went into the holy city, and appeared to 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 A nd the centurion, and those with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake, and the things that were done, were exceedingly afraid, saying, `Truly this was God's Son.'

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 there were there many women beholding from afar, who did follow Jesus from Galilee, ministering to 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 whom was Mary the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and of Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

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 A nd evening having come, there came a rich man, from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was discipled to Jesus,

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 having gone near to Pilate, asked for himself the body of Jesus; then Pilate commanded the body to be given back.

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 having taken the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen,

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

60 a nd laid it in his new tomb, that he hewed in the rock, and having rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, he went away;

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 were there Mary the 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 A nd on the morrow that is after the preparation, were gathered together the chief priests, and the Pharisees, 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 have remembered that that deceiver said while yet living, After three days I do rise;

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, then, the sepulchre to be made secure till the third day, lest his disciples, having come by night, may steal him away, and may say to the people, He rose from the dead, and the last deceit 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 A nd Pilate said to them, `Ye have a watch, go away, make secure -- as ye have known;'

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

66 a nd they, having gone, did make the sepulchre secure, having sealed the stone, together with the watch.

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