<p> <SPAN name="C27V1"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:1</font></SPAN> Now when morning had
come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel
against Jesus to put him to death: <SPAN name="C27V2"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:2</font></SPAN> and they bound him, and led him
away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor. <SPAN name="C27V3"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:3</font></SPAN> Then Judas, who betrayed him,
when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the
thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, <SPAN name="C27V4"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:4</font></SPAN> saying, "I have sinned in
that I betrayed innocent blood."</p>
<p>But they said, "What is that to us? You see to it."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V5"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:5</font></SPAN> He threw down the
pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged
himself. <SPAN name="C27V6"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:6</font></SPAN> The chief
priests took the pieces of silver, and said, "It's not lawful to put
them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood." <SPAN name="C27V7"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:7</font></SPAN> They took counsel, and bought the
potter's field with them, to bury strangers in. <SPAN name="C27V8"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:8</font></SPAN> Therefore that field was called
"The Field of Blood" to this day. <SPAN name="C27V9"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:9</font></SPAN> Then that which was spoken
through <SPAN href="#N121">Jeremiah</SPAN> the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
<br/>"They took the thirty pieces of silver,
<br/>the price of him upon whom a price had been set,
<br/>whom some of the children of Israel priced,
<br/> <SPAN name="C27V10"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:10</font></SPAN> and they gave them
for the potter's field,
<br/>as the Lord commanded me."<font color="#0000ff" size=-1><sup><SPAN href="#N122">*</SPAN></sup></font>
</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V11"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:11</font></SPAN> Now Jesus stood
before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, "Are you the
King of the Jews?"</p>
<p>Jesus said to him, "So you say."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V12"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:12</font></SPAN> When he was accused
by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. <SPAN name="C27V13"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:13</font></SPAN> Then Pilate said to him,
"Don't you hear how many things they testify against you?"</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V14"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:14</font></SPAN> He gave him no
answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. <SPAN name="C27V15"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:15</font></SPAN> Now at the feast the governor
was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they
desired. <SPAN name="C27V16"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:16</font></SPAN> They had then a
notable prisoner, called Barabbas. <SPAN name="C27V17"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:17</font></SPAN> When therefore they were
gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to
release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?" <SPAN name="C27V18"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:18</font></SPAN> For he knew that because of envy
they had delivered him up.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V19"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:19</font></SPAN> While he was sitting
on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to
do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things this day in a
dream because of him." <SPAN name="C27V20"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:20</font></SPAN> Now the chief priests and the
elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
<SPAN name="C27V21"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:21</font></SPAN> But the governor
answered them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to
you?"</p>
<p>They said, "Barabbas!"</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V22"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:22</font></SPAN> Pilate said to them,
"What then shall I do to Jesus, who is called Christ?"</p>
<p>They all said to him, "Let him be crucified!"</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V23"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:23</font></SPAN> But the governor
said, "Why? What evil has he done?"</p>
<p>But they cried out exceedingly, saying, "Let him be
crucified!"</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V24"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:24</font></SPAN> So when Pilate saw
that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting,
he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I
am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V25"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:25</font></SPAN> All the people
answered, "May his blood be on us, and on our children!"</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V26"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:26</font></SPAN> Then he released to
them Barabbas, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified. <SPAN name="C27V27"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:27</font></SPAN> Then the governor's soldiers
took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together
against him. <SPAN name="C27V28"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:28</font></SPAN> They
stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him. <SPAN name="C27V29"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:29</font></SPAN> They braided a crown of thorns
and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled
down before him, and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the
Jews!" <SPAN name="C27V30"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:30</font></SPAN> They spat on
him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. <SPAN name="C27V31"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:31</font></SPAN> When they had mocked him, they
took the robe off of him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to
crucify him.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V32"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:32</font></SPAN> As they came out,
they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go
with them, that he might carry his cross. <SPAN name="C27V33"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:33</font></SPAN> They came to a place called
"Golgotha," that is to say, "The place of a skull."
<SPAN name="C27V34"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:34</font></SPAN> They gave him sour wine
to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink.
<SPAN name="C27V35"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:35</font></SPAN> When they had crucified
him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,<font
color="#0000ff" size=-1><sup><SPAN href="#N123">*</SPAN></sup></font> <SPAN name="C27V36"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:36</font></SPAN> and they sat and watched him
there. <SPAN name="C27V37"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:37</font></SPAN> They set up over
his head the accusation against him written, "THIS IS JESUS, THE KING
OF THE JEWS."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V38"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:38</font></SPAN> Then there were two
robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.
<SPAN name="C27V39"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:39</font></SPAN> Those who passed by
blasphemed him, wagging their heads, <SPAN name="C27V40"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:40</font></SPAN> 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!"</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V41"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:41</font></SPAN> Likewise the chief
priests also mocking, with the scribes, <SPAN href="#N124">the Pharisees,</SPAN>
and the elders, said, <SPAN name="C27V42"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:42</font></SPAN> "He saved others, but he
can't save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from
the cross now, and we will believe in him. <SPAN name="C27V43"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:43</font></SPAN> He trusts in God. Let God
deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, 'I am the Son of
God.'" <SPAN name="C27V44"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:44</font></SPAN> The robbers
also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V45"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:45</font></SPAN> Now from the <SPAN href="#N125">sixth hour</SPAN> there was darkness over all the land until the
<SPAN href="#N126">ninth hour.</SPAN> <SPAN name="C27V46"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:46</font></SPAN> About the ninth hour Jesus cried
with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, <SPAN href="#N127">lima</SPAN> sabachthani?" That is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?"<font color="#0000ff" size=-1><sup><SPAN href="#N128">*</SPAN></sup></font></p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V47"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:47</font></SPAN> Some of them who
stood there, when they heard it, said, "This man is calling
Elijah."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V48"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:48</font></SPAN> Immediately one of
them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a
reed, and gave him a drink. <SPAN name="C27V49"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:49</font></SPAN> The rest said, "Let him be.
Let's see whether Elijah comes to save him."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V50"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:50</font></SPAN> Jesus cried again
with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. <SPAN name="C27V51"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:51</font></SPAN> Behold, the veil of the temple
was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks
were split. <SPAN name="C27V52"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:52</font></SPAN> The tombs
were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were
raised; <SPAN name="C27V53"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:53</font></SPAN> and coming out
of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and
appeared to many. <SPAN name="C27V54"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:54</font></SPAN> Now
the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw
the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying,
"Truly this was the Son of God."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V55"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:55</font></SPAN> Many women were there
watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.
<SPAN name="C27V56"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:56</font></SPAN> Among them were Mary
Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons
of Zebedee. <SPAN name="C27V57"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:57</font></SPAN> When evening
had come, a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself was also
Jesus' disciple came. <SPAN name="C27V58"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:58</font></SPAN> This man went to Pilate, and
asked for Jesus' body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.
<SPAN name="C27V59"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:59</font></SPAN> Joseph took the body,
and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, <SPAN name="C27V60"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:60</font></SPAN> and laid it in his own new tomb,
which he had cut out in the rock, and he rolled a great stone to the door
of the tomb, and departed. <SPAN name="C27V61"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:61</font></SPAN> Mary Magdalene was there, and
the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. <SPAN name="C27V62"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:62</font></SPAN> Now on the next day, which was
the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees
were gathered together to Pilate, <SPAN name="C27V63"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:63</font></SPAN> saying, "Sir, we remember
what that deceiver said while he was still alive: 'After three days I will
rise again.' <SPAN name="C27V64"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:64</font></SPAN> Command
therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps
his disciples come at night and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He
is risen from the dead;' and the last deception will be worse than the
first."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C27V65"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:65</font></SPAN> Pilate said to them,
"You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can." <SPAN name="C27V66"><font size=-1 color="blue">27:66</font></SPAN> So they went with the guard and
made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C28V1"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:1</font></SPAN> Now after the Sabbath,
as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the
other Mary came to see the tomb. <SPAN name="C28V2"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:2</font></SPAN> Behold, there was a great
earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and
rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it. <SPAN name="C28V3"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:3</font></SPAN> His appearance was like
lightning, and his clothing white as snow. <SPAN name="C28V4"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:4</font></SPAN> For fear of him, the guards
shook, and became like dead men. <SPAN name="C28V5"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:5</font></SPAN> The angel answered the women,
"Don't be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been
crucified. <SPAN name="C28V6"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:6</font></SPAN> He is not
here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the
Lord was lying. <SPAN name="C28V7"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:7</font></SPAN> Go
quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has risen from the dead, and behold,
he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.' Behold, I have
told you."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C28V8"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:8</font></SPAN> They departed quickly
from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples
word. <SPAN name="C28V9"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:9</font></SPAN> As they went to
tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!"</p>
<p>They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C28V10"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:10</font></SPAN> Then Jesus said to
them, "Don't be afraid. Go tell my <SPAN href="#N129">brothers</SPAN> that they should go into Galilee, and there they
will see me."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C28V11"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:11</font></SPAN> Now while they were
going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief
priests all the things that had happened. <SPAN name="C28V12"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:12</font></SPAN> When they were assembled with
the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to
the soldiers, <SPAN name="C28V13"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:13</font></SPAN> saying,
"Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we
slept. <SPAN name="C28V14"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:14</font></SPAN> If this comes to
the governor's ears, we will persuade him and make you free of
worry." <SPAN name="C28V15"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:15</font></SPAN> So they
took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad
among the Jews, and continues until this day.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C28V16"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:16</font></SPAN> But the eleven
disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.
<SPAN name="C28V17"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:17</font></SPAN> When they saw him, they
bowed down to him, but some doubted. <SPAN name="C28V18"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:18</font></SPAN> Jesus came to them and spoke to
them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in
heaven and on earth. <SPAN name="C28V19"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:19</font></SPAN> Therefore go, and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, <SPAN name="C28V20"><font size=-1 color="blue">28:20</font></SPAN> teaching them to observe all
things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end
of the age." Amen.
</p>
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