Forsaken Me
Gospel of Matthew 27
At daybreak all the chief priests and the councilors of the nation consulted together against Jesus, to bring about his death. 2 They put him in chains and led him away, and gave him up to the Roman governor, Pilate. 3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that Jesus was condemned, repented of what he had done, and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and councilors. 4 “I did wrong in betraying a good man to his death,” he said. “What has that to do with us?” they replied. “You must see to that yourself.”
5 Judas flung down the pieces of silver in the temple and left; and went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver, but they said: “We must not put them into the temple treasury, because they are blood-money.” 7 So after consultation, they bought with them the ‘Potter’s Field’ for a burial-ground for foreigners; 8 And that is why that field is called the ‘Field of Blood’ to this very day. 9 It was then that these words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled: ‘They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him who was valued, whom some of the people of Israel valued, 10 And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.’
11 Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Roman governor. “Are you the King of the Jews?” asked the governor. “That is what you say,” answered Jesus. 12 While charges were being brought against him by the chief priests and councilors, Jesus made no reply. 13 Then Pilate said to him: “Do not you hear how many accusations they are making against you?” 14 Yet Jesus made no reply, not even a single word; at which the governor was greatly astonished.
15 Now, at the feast, the governor was accustomed to grant the people the release of any one prisoner whom they might choose. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So, when the people had gathered, Pilate said to them: “Which do you wish me to release for you? Barabbas? Or Jesus who is called ‘Christ’?” 18 For he knew that it was out of jealousy that they had given Jesus up to him.
19 While he was still on the bench, his wife sent this message to him: “Do not have anything to do with that good man, for I have been very unhappy today because of a dream I had of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the councilors persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas, and to kill Jesus. 21 The governor, however, said to them: “Which of these two do you wish me to release for you?” “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What then,” Pilate asked, “shall I do with Jesus who is called ‘Christ’?” “Let him be crucified,” they all replied. 23 “Why, what harm has he done?” he asked. But they kept shouting furiously: “Let him be crucified!”
24 When Pilate saw that contrary to his efforts a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying as he did so: “I am not answerable for this bloodshed; you must see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered: “His blood be on our heads and on our children’s!” 26 Then Pilate released Barabbas to them; but Jesus he scourged and gave him up to be crucified.
27 After that, the governor’s soldiers took Jesus with them into the government house and gathered the whole garrison round him. 28 They stripped him and put on him a red military cloak, 29 And having twisted some thorns into a crown, put it on his head, and a rod in his right hand, and then, going down on their knees before him, they mocked him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat at him and, taking the rod, kept striking him on the head; 31 And, when they had quit mocking him, they took off the military cloak, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to be crucified.
To continue reading Chapter 27 of the Gospel of Matthew, click on page 2 below.
