Judas Hangs Himself
1Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4“I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
5So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”27:10 See Zech. 11:12,13; Jer. 19:1-13; 32:6-9.
Jesus Before Pilate
11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
12When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
15Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus27:16 Many manuscripts do not have Jesus; also in verse 17. Barabbas. 17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
22“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
25All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
32As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 34There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.
38Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
The Death of Jesus
45From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,27:46 Some manuscripts Eloi, Eloi lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).27:46 Psalm 22:1
47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and27:53 Or tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
55Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,27:56 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
The Burial of Jesus
57As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
62The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Jesus levado à presença de Pilatos
(Mc 15.1; Lc 23.1; Jo 18.28)
1Quando veio a manhã, os principais sacerdotes e os anciãos reuniram-se de novo para discutir como iriam convencer o governo romano a condenar Jesus à morte. 2Mandaram-no, pois, manietado, a Pilatos, o governador romano.
Judas enforca-se
(At 1.16-20)
3Por essa altura, Judas, que o traiu, sabendo que Jesus tinha sido condenado à morte, lamentou o que tinha feito, e devolveu o dinheiro aos principais sacerdotes e aos anciãos. 4“Pequei, porque traí um inocente.” Replicaram-lhe: “Isso é contigo!” 5Então, atirando com o dinheiro para o lajeado do templo, saiu e enforcou-se.
6Os principais sacerdotes apanharam o dinheiro, dizendo: “Não podemos pô-lo nas ofertas visto ser contra as nossas leis aceitar dinheiro pago por assassínio.” 7Discutido o caso, resolveram comprar um campo onde os oleiros iam buscar barro e fazer ali um cemitério para os estrangeiros que morressem em Jerusalém. 8Por isso, o cemitério ainda tem o nome de Campo de Sangue. 9Assim se cumpriu a profecia de Jeremias em como tomariam as trinta moedas de prata, o preço pelo qual seria avaliado pelo povo de Israel, 10e as dariam por um campo do oleiro, como o Senhor ordenara.
Jesus perante Pilatos
(Mc 15.2-5; Lc 23.2-5; Jo 18.29-38)
11Jesus estava agora diante de Pilatos, o governador romano, que lhe perguntou: “És o rei dos judeus?” Respondeu-lhe: “Sim, é como tu dizes.”
12Às acusações dos principais sacerdotes e dos anciãos contra ele, Jesus não deu qualquer resposta. 13“Não ouves o que dizem?”, perguntou Pilatos. 14Mas Jesus continuou em silêncio, para grande espanto do governador.
Jesus condenado à morte
(Mc 15.6-15; Lc 23.13-25; Jo 18.39–19.16)
15Ora o governador tinha por costume soltar todos os anos, por altura da Páscoa, um preso judeu, aquele que a multidão quisesse. 16Nesse ano encontrava-se encarcerado um criminoso muito conhecido chamado Barrabás. 17Quando o povo se juntou diante da casa de Pilatos naquela manhã, ele perguntou: “Quem querem que vos solte, Barrabás ou Jesus, chamado o Cristo?” 18Porque ele sabia que tinham prendido Jesus por inveja.
19Enquanto Pilatos presidia à sessão do tribunal, a mulher dele mandou-lhe este recado: “Deixa esse homem justo em paz, porque esta noite tive um pesadelo horrível por sua causa.”
20Entretanto, os principais sacerdotes e anciãos convenceram o povo a pedir a libertação de Barrabás e a condenação de Jesus à morte. 21E quando o governador tornou a perguntar: “Qual destes dois querem que vos solte?.” A multidão respondeu em grande gritaria: “Barrabás!”
22Pilatos tornou a perguntar: “Então que farei de Jesus, chamado o Cristo?” Eles gritaram: “Que ele seja crucificado!”
23“Porquê? Que mal fez ele?” E o povo rugia cada vez mais alto: “Que ele seja crucificado!”
24Quando Pilatos viu que não saíam daquilo e que começava a levantar-se tumulto, mandou buscar uma bacia de água e lavou as mãos diante da multidão, dizendo: “Estou inocente do sangue deste homem. A culpa é vossa!” E a multidão gritou: 25“Que a responsabilidade da sua morte recaia sobre nós e os nossos filhos!”
26Então Pilatos soltou Barrabás, mandou açoitar Jesus e entregou-o para ser crucificado.
Os soldados zombam de Jesus
(Mc 15.16-20; Jo 19.2-3)
27Assim, os soldados de Pilatos levaram Jesus para o palácio do governador e reuniram toda a guarnição em redor dele. 28Tirando-lhe a roupa, vestiram-lhe um manto vermelho escuro, 29fizeram uma coroa de espinhos e puseram-lha na cabeça, meteram-lhe uma vara na mão direita como se fosse o bastão de um rei e, ajoelhando-se diante dele, faziam troça, gritando: “Viva, ó rei dos judeus!” 30Cuspiam-lhe e, tirando-lhe a vara da mão, batiam-lhe com ela na cabeça. 31Quando acabaram toda aquela troça, tiraram-lhe o manto, vestiram-no novamente com as suas roupas e levaram-no para ser crucificado.
A crucificação
(Mc 15.21-23; Lc 23.26-31; Jo 19.17)
32Quando iam a caminho do local da execução, encontraram-se com um homem de Cirene, que se chamava Simão, a quem obrigaram a carregar a cruz de Jesus. 33Foram pois para o local a que chamavam Gólgota, que significa “Lugar da Caveira”. 34Aí, os soldados deram-lhe a beber vinho misturado com fel mas, quando experimentou, não quis tomá-lo.
A acusação contra Jesus
(Mc 15.24-32; Lc 23.32-43; Jo 19.18-24)
35Depois de o terem pregado na cruz, lançaram sortes para ver quem ficaria com as suas roupas. 36Sentaram-se à volta, montando guarda, enquanto ele ali estava pendurado. 37Por cima da sua cabeça, puseram uma tabuleta com a acusação contra ele:
este é jesus, o rei dos judeus.
38Com Jesus foram crucificados dois malfeitores, ficando um à direita e outro à esquerda. 39As pessoas que passavam insultavam-no, sacudindo a cabeça 40e dizendo: “És capaz de destruir o templo e construí-lo de novo em três dias, não és? Então, salva-te a ti mesmo! Se és o Filho de Deus, desce da cruz!”
41Também os principais sacerdotes, os especialistas na Lei e os anciãos troçavam dele: 42“Salvou os outros, mas não pode salvar-se a si próprio. É o Rei de Israel? Então desça da cruz e acreditaremos nele! 43Confiou em Deus? Então que o livre se, de facto, tem prazer nele. Não disse que era o Filho de Deus?” 44Até os malfeitores que com ele ali foram crucificados o amaldiçoavam.
A morte de Jesus
(Mc 15.33-41; Lc 23.44-49; Jo 19.28-30)
45Ao meio-dia, a terra inteira ficou em trevas, que duraram até às três horas daquela tarde. 46Às três da tarde Jesus exclamou em voz muito alta: “Eli, Eli, lema sabactani?”, que quer dizer: “Meu Deus, meu Deus, porque me abandonaste?”27.46 Sl 22.1.
47Alguns dos que ali se encontravam pensaram que chamava por Elias. 48Um homem correu, ensopou uma esponja e, embebendo-a em vinho azedo, elevou-a até ele num pau. 49Mas os outros diziam: “Espera, para vermos se Elias vem salvá-lo!”
50Jesus deu outro clamor, entregou o espírito e morreu. 51Nesse instante, o véu do templo rasgou-se em dois pedaços, de cima a baixo. A terra tremeu, as rochas fenderam-se. 52Os túmulos abriram-se e muitos homens e mulheres santos que tinham morrido voltaram à vida. 53Deixando o cemitério, depois da ressurreição de Jesus, entraram em Jerusalém, onde apareceram a muita gente.
54O oficial romano e os soldados escolhidos para estarem de serviço na crucificação ficaram cheios de medo com o terramoto e com tudo o que acontecera, e eles próprios confessaram: “Verdadeiramente era o Filho de Deus!”
55Muitas mulheres que tinham vindo da Galileia com Jesus, para tratar dele, estavam à distância, assistindo à cena. 56Entre elas achavam-se Maria Madalena, Maria, mãe de Tiago e José, e a mãe de Tiago e João, filhos de Zebedeu.
Jesus é sepultado
(Mc 15.42-47; Lc 23.50-56; Jo 19.38-42)
57Quando caiu a noite, um homem rico de Arimateia, chamado José, seguidor de Jesus, 58foi ter com Pilatos e pediu o seu corpo. Pilatos deu ordem para que lho entregassem. 59José levou o corpo e envolveu-o num grande lençol de puro linho. 60Colocou-o no seu túmulo novo que tinha sido escavado na rocha. Ao sair, rolou uma grande pedra para tapar a entrada. 61Tanto Maria Madalena como a outra Maria estavam sentadas diante do túmulo, a olhar.
62No dia seguinte, o primeiro dia das celebrações da Páscoa, os principais sacerdotes e os fariseus foram ter com Pilatos 63e disseram-lhe:
“Senhor, aquele mentiroso disse certa vez: ‘Depois de três dias voltarei a viver.’ 64Portanto, pedimos-te que dês ordens para selar o túmulo até ao terceiro dia, não vão os seus discípulos roubar o corpo e dizer depois a toda a gente que ele tornou a viver. Pois esta mentira seria pior do que a primeira!”
65Ao que Pilatos respondeu: “Chamem a própria guarda do templo e guardem o túmulo o melhor que puderem.” 66Selaram, pois, a pedra e puseram guardas para a defender de qualquer estranho.
