Matthew · Bible in Basic English
Matthew 27 Bible in Basic English
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 Now when it was morning, all the chief priests and those in authority took thought together with the purpose of putting Jesus to death.
1 Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
2 And they put cords on him and took him away, and gave him up to Pilate, the ruler.
2 They bound him, led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.
3 Then Judas, who was false to him, seeing that he was to be put to death, in his regret took back the thirty bits of silver to the chief priests and those in authority,
3 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,
4 Saying, I have done wrong in giving into your hands an upright man. But they said, What is that to us? it is your business.
4 saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”
5 And he put down the silver in the Temple and went out, and put himself to death by hanging.
5 He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6 And the chief priests took the silver and said, It is not right to put it in the Temple store for it is the price of blood.
6 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.”
7 And they made a decision to get with the silver the potter's field, as a place for the dead of other countries.
7 They took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with them to bury strangers in.
8 For this cause that field was named, The field of blood, to this day.
8 Therefore that field has been called “The Field of Blood” to this day.
9 Then came true that which was said by Jeremiah the prophet, And they took the thirty bits of silver, the price of him who was valued by the children of Israel;
9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced,
10 And they gave them for the potter's field, as I had word from the Lord.
10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
11 And Jesus was before the ruler, who put a question to him, Are you the King of the Jews? And Jesus said to him, You say so.
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “So you say.”
12 But when the chief priests and those in authority made statements against him, he gave no answer.
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13 Then says Pilate to him, Do you give no attention to what their witnesses say against you?
13 Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?”
14 And he gave him no answer, not even a word: so that the ruler was greatly surprised.
14 He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.
15 Now at the feast it was the way for the ruler to let free to the people one prisoner, at their selection.
15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner whom they desired.
16 And they had then an important prisoner, whose name was Barabbas.
16 They had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas.
17 So when they came together, Pilate said to them, Whom will you have? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is named Christ?
17 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?”
18 For he saw that for envy they had given him up.
18 For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.
19 And while he was on the judge's seat, his wife sent to him, saying, Have nothing to do with that upright man, for I have had much trouble this day in a dream because of him.
19 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 today in a dream because of him.”
20 Now the chief priests and those in authority got the people to make request for Barabbas, and for Jesus to be put to death.
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21 But the ruler made answer and said to them, Which of the two is it your pleasure that I let go free? And they said, Barabbas.
21 But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”
22 Pilate says to them, What, then, am I to do with Jesus, who is named Christ? They all say, Let him be put to death on the cross.
22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!”
23 And he said, Why, what evil has he done? But they gave loud cries, saying, To the cross with him!
23 But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!”
24 So when Pilate saw that he was able to do nothing, but that trouble was working up, he took water and, washing his hands before the people, said, The blood of this upright man is not on my hands: you are responsible.
24 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.”
25 And all the people made answer and said, Let his blood be on us, and on our children.
25 All the people answered, “May his blood be on us and on our children!”
26 Then he let Barabbas go free: but after having Jesus whipped, he gave him up to be put to death on the cross.
26 Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified.
27 Then the ruler's armed men took Jesus into the open square, and got all their band together.
27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him.
28 And they took off his clothing, and put on him a red robe.
28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.
29 And they made a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and put a rod in his right hand, and they went down on their knees before him, and made sport of him, saying, Long life to the King of the Jews.
29 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!”
30 And they put shame on him, and gave him blows on the head with the rod.
30 They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.
31 And when they had made sport of him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothing on him, and took him away to put him on the cross.
31 When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32 And while they were coming out, they saw a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they made him go with them, so that he might take up his cross.
32 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.
33 And when they came to the place named Golgotha, that is to say, Dead Man's Head,
33 When they came to a place called “Golgotha”, that is to say, “The place of a skull,”
34 They gave him wine mixed with bitter drink: and after tasting it, he took no more.
34 they gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink.
35 And when they had put him on the cross, they made division of his clothing among them by the decision of chance.
35 When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,
36 And they were seated there watching him.
36 and they sat and watched him there.
37 And they put up over his head the statement of his crime in writing, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
37 They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
38 Then two thieves were put on crosses with him, one on the right and one on the left.
38 Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.
39 And those who went by said bitter words to him, shaking their heads and saying,
39 Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads
40 You who would give the Temple to destruction and put it up again in three days, get yourself free: if you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.
40 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!”
41 In the same way, the chief priests, making sport of him, with the scribes and those in authority, said,
41 Likewise the chief priests also mocking with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said,
42 A saviour of others, he has no salvation for himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will have faith in him.
42 “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.
43 He put his faith in God; let God be his saviour now, if he will have him; for he said, I am the Son of God.
43 He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
44 And the thieves who were on the crosses said evil words to him.
44 The robbers also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach.
45 Now from the sixth hour it was dark over all the land till the ninth hour.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus gave a loud cry, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why are you turned away from me?
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
47 And some of those who were near by, hearing it, said, This man is crying to Elijah.
47 Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”
48 And straight away one of them went quickly, and took a sponge, and made it full of bitter wine, and put it on a rod and gave him drink.
48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him a drink.
49 And the rest said, Let him be; let us see if Elijah will come to his help.
49 The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
50 And Jesus gave another loud cry, and gave up his spirit.
50 Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.
51 And the curtain of the Temple was parted in two from end to end; and there was an earth-shock; and the rocks were broken;
51 Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
52 And the resting-places of the dead came open; and the bodies of a number of sleeping saints came to life;
52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
53 And coming out of their resting-places, after he had come again from the dead, they went into the holy town and were seen by a number of people.
53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.
54 Now the captain and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earth-shock and the things which were done, were in great fear and said, Truly this was a son of God.
54 Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were done, were terrified, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
55 And a number of women were there, watching from a distance, who had come with Jesus from Galilee, waiting on his needs.
55 Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.
56 Among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
57 And in the evening, there came a man of wealth from Arimathaea, Joseph by name, who was a disciple of Jesus:
57 When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple, came.
58 This man went in to Pilate, and made a request for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate gave orders for it to be given to him.
58 This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.
59 And Joseph took the body, folding it in clean linen,
59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth
60 And put it in the resting-place which had been cut out of the rock for himself; and after rolling a great stone to the door of it he went away.
60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, seated by the place of the dead.
61 Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
62 Now on the day after the getting ready of the Passover, the chief priests and Pharisees came together to Pilate,
62 Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate,
63 Saying, Sir, we have in mind how that false man said, while he was still living, After three days I will come again from the dead.
63 saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’
64 Give orders, then, that the place where his body is may be made safe till the third day, for fear that his disciples come and take him away secretly and say to the people, He has come back from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first.
64 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.”
65 Pilate said to them, You have watchmen; go and make it as safe as you are able.
65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can.”
66 So they went, and made safe the place where his body was, putting a stamp on the stone, and the watchmen were with them.
66 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Barabbas
A notorious prisoner, an insurrectionist, whom the crowd chose to be released rather than Jesus.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:16; Matthew 27:17; Mark 15:7
Joses
Named in Mark 15:40 and 15:47 (Joses; Joseph in Matthew 27:56) as a son of the Mary who watched the crucifixion; the text does not identify him with Joses the brother of Jesus in…
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40
Mary
A woman who followed Jesus from Galilee and was at the cross, called the mother of James the younger and of Joses (Joseph) and seen at the burial and at the tomb; the text does…
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; Mark 15:47
Mary Magdalene
A woman from whom seven demons had gone out, who followed and supported Jesus from Galilee, stood by the cross, saw the burial, and was the first to see the empty tomb and the…
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:56; Luke 8:2; John 19:25
Pontius Pilate
Roman governor of Judea who questioned Jesus, found no guilt in Him, released Barabbas, and gave Him up to be crucified and permitted Joseph of Arimathea to take the body.
Cited in the guide: Matthew 27:2; Luke 3:1; John 18:38
Cross references (61)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Mark 15:1; John 18:28; Psalm 2:2; Luke 22:66; Micah 2:1
- 2 Acts 3:13; Matthew 20:19; 1 Timothy 6:13; Luke 13:1; Luke 20:20
- 3 2 Corinthians 7:10; Job 20:15–29; Luke 22:47–48; Luke 22:2–6; Job 20:5
- 4 Jeremiah 26:15; Luke 16:25–26; Luke 23:22; Titus 1:16; 2 Kings 24:4
- 5 Acts 1:18–19; 2 Samuel 17:23; Psalm 55:23; Luke 1:9; Luke 1:21
- 6 Luke 6:7–9; Deuteronomy 23:18; Isaiah 61:8; John 18:28; Matthew 23:24
- 8 Acts 1:19; Matthew 28:15; 2 Chronicles 5:9; Joshua 4:9; Deuteronomy 34:6
- 9 Zechariah 11:12–13; Leviticus 27:2–7; Matthew 1:22
- 10 Zechariah 11:13
- 11 Luke 23:2–3; Mark 15:2–5; Matthew 26:25; John 18:29–38; Mark 14:62
- 12 Matthew 26:63; Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:14; Mark 15:3–5; Acts 8:32
- 13 Matthew 26:62; Acts 22:24; John 18:35
- 14 Isaiah 8:18; 1 Corinthians 4:9; Psalm 71:7; Zechariah 3:8
- 15 Matthew 26:5; John 18:38–40; Luke 23:16; John 19:16; Acts 24:27
- 16 Mark 15:7; Luke 23:18–19; Luke 23:25; John 18:40; Acts 3:14
- 17 1 Kings 18:21; John 19:15; Mark 15:9–12; Joshua 24:15; Matthew 27:21–22
- 18 Proverbs 27:4; Acts 5:17; Mark 15:10; Genesis 37:11; Acts 13:45
- 19 Zechariah 9:9; Proverbs 29:1; 1 Peter 2:22; Matthew 27:24; Luke 23:47
- 20 John 19:15–16; Acts 3:14–15; Mark 15:11; John 18:40; Luke 23:18–20
- 22 Isaiah 53:2–3; John 19:14–15; Mark 15:12–14; Isaiah 49:7; Acts 13:38
- 23 Genesis 37:18–19; Acts 7:57; Acts 23:12–15; Acts 22:22–23; Acts 17:5–7
- 24 Matthew 27:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Psalm 26:6; John 19:4; Job 9:30–31
- 25 Joshua 2:19; Acts 5:28; Acts 7:52; 1 Thessalonians 2:15–16; Deuteronomy 19:10
- 26 Isaiah 53:5; John 19:1; Mark 15:15; Isaiah 50:6; Luke 23:16
- 27 John 18:33; John 18:28; Acts 10:1; Mark 15:16–20; Acts 23:35
- 28 Mark 15:17; Luke 23:11; John 19:2–5
- 29 Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 20:19; Mark 15:18; Psalm 69:19–20; John 19:2–3
- 30 Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67; Isaiah 53:7; Mark 15:19; Job 30:8–10
- 31 Isaiah 53:7; 1 Kings 21:10; Matthew 21:39; Hebrews 13:12; Acts 7:58
- 32 Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26; Matthew 16:24; Acts 6:9; Acts 2:10
- 33 John 19:17–19; Mark 15:22–32; Luke 23:44; Mark 15:34; John 19:23–24
- 34 Psalm 69:21; Mark 15:23; Matthew 27:48; John 19:28–30
- 35 Psalm 22:18; Mark 15:24–32; John 19:23–24; Luke 23:34; Acts 4:10
- 36 Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Mark 15:44
- 37 John 19:19–22; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38
- 38 John 19:18; John 19:31–35; Luke 23:39–43; Matthew 27:44; Mark 15:27
- 39 Psalm 109:25; Lamentations 1:12; Psalm 31:11–13; Psalm 22:17; Lamentations 2:15–17
- 40 Matthew 26:61; Matthew 4:3; Matthew 4:6; John 2:19–22; Matthew 26:63–64
- 41 Psalm 35:26; Isaiah 28:22; Mark 15:31–32; Luke 23:35; Zechariah 11:8
- 42 John 1:49; Matthew 27:37; Acts 4:14; Luke 19:38; John 12:13
- 43 Psalm 22:8; John 10:36; Psalm 71:11; Psalm 14:6; John 5:17–25
- 44 Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:32; Luke 23:39–43; Psalm 35:15; Job 30:7–9
- 45 Amos 8:9; Mark 15:33–34; Isaiah 50:3; Luke 23:44–45; Revelation 9:2
- 46 Psalm 22:1; Hebrews 5:7; Isaiah 53:10; Mark 15:34; Psalm 71:11
- 47 Malachi 4:5; Mark 15:35–36; Matthew 11:14
- 48 Psalm 69:21; John 19:29–30; Luke 23:36; Matthew 27:34
- 50 John 19:30; Isaiah 53:9–12; Psalm 22:14–15; Luke 23:46; Hebrews 9:14
- 51 Hebrews 10:19–22; Mark 15:38; Hebrews 6:19; Luke 23:45; Revelation 11:19
- 52 Isaiah 26:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 15:20; John 5:25–29; Daniel 12:2
- 54 Matthew 27:36; Mark 15:39; Matthew 27:43; Romans 1:4; Luke 23:47–49
- 55 Luke 8:2–3; Luke 23:48–49; John 19:25–27; Luke 23:27–28
- 56 John 19:25; Mark 15:47–16:1; Mark 16:9; Matthew 28:1; John 20:1
- 57 John 19:38–42; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56
- 58 Mark 15:44–46; Luke 23:52–53
- 60 Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:66; Matthew 28:2; Luke 24:2; Mark 16:3–4
- 61 Matthew 27:56; Matthew 28:1
- 62 Mark 15:42; John 19:14; John 19:42; Matthew 26:17; Matthew 27:1–2
- 63 Luke 9:22; Matthew 16:21; Mark 10:34; Mark 8:31; Luke 18:33
- 64 Matthew 28:13
- 65 Matthew 27:66; Matthew 28:11–15; Psalm 76:10; Proverbs 21:30
- 66 Daniel 6:17; Matthew 27:60; Matthew 28:2; 2 Timothy 2:19; Matthew 28:11
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
Seest thou what He is first asked? which thing most of all they were continually bringing forward in every way? For since they saw Pilate making no account of the matters of the law, they direct their accusation to the state charges.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
For when the things which pertain to His passion are prophetically spoken there also in the person of Christ, that is mentioned which is unfolded in the Gospel: "They gave me gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar for drink." And as it were after such a feast and dainties in this way given to …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
For as to their being aware of it, they say to Pilate, "That deceiver said," these are their words, "while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again;" and yet we know His disciples were ignorant of this; even as they had been beforehand more void of understanding than these: wherefore also these became self-condemned.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
take for a witness Pilate himself, who gave sentence upon Him, saying, I find no fault in this Man: and when he gave Him up, and had washed his hands, he said, I am innocent of the blood of this just person.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
He lays down His life, but He has power to take it again; and the veil is rent, for the mysterious doors of Heaven are opened; the rocks are cleft, the dead arise. He dies, but He gives life, and by His death destroys death.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)