基督苦难主日（圣枝主日）
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
福音
恭读圣玛窦福音 21:1-11
耶稣和门徒，走近耶路撒冷，来到靠近橄榄山的贝特法革时，耶稣就打发两个门徒，对他们说：“你们往对面的村庄去，就会看见一匹拴着的母驴，及同母驴在一起的小驴驹。解开，牵来给我！如果有人对你们说什么，你们就说：主要用牠们。他就会立刻放牠们来。”
这事发生，是为应验先知所说的：“你们应向熙雍女子说：看，你的君王来到你这里，温和的骑着一匹驴，一匹母驴的小驴驹上。”
门徒就去，照耶稣吩咐他们的，做了。他们牵了母驴和小驴驹来，把外衣搭在牠们身上，扶耶稣坐在上面。很多群众，把自己的外衣，铺在路上；还有些人，从树上砍下树枝，铺在路上。前呼后拥的群众，高声欢呼：“贺三纳于达味之子！奉上主之名而来的，当受赞颂！贺三纳于至高之天！”
当耶稣进入耶路撒冷的时候，全城哄动，说：“这人是谁？” 群众说：“这是加里肋亚纳匝肋的先知耶稣。”
Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 21:1-11
When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem
and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives,
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
“Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately you will find an ass tethered,
and a colt with her.
Untie them and bring them here to me.
And if anyone should say anything to you, reply,
‘The master has need of them.’
Then he will send them at once.”
This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Say to daughter Zion,
“Behold, your king comes to you,
meek and riding on an ass,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.
They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them,
and he sat upon them.
The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
while others cut branches from the trees
and strewed them on the road.
The crowds preceding him and those following
kept crying out and saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
hosanna in the highest.”
And when he entered Jerusalem
the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?”
And the crowds replied,
“This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
读经一
恭读依撒意亚先知书 50:4-7
我主上主赐给了我受教的口舌，叫我会用言语，来援助疲倦的人。他每天清晨唤醒我，唤醒我的耳朵，叫我如同学生一样静听。我主上主开启了我的耳朵。
我并没有违抗，也没有退避。我将我背，转给打击我的人；把我的腮，转给扯我胡须的人；对于侮辱和唾污，我没有遮掩我的面。
因为，我主上主协助我，因此，我不怕蒙羞；所以，我板着脸，像一块燧石，因为我知道：我决不会受辱。
Reading 1
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 50:4-7
The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
that I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning
he opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.
The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
读经二
恭读圣保禄宗徒致斐理伯人书 2:6-11
弟兄姐妹们：
耶稣虽具有天主的形体，并没有以自己与天主同等，为应当把持不舍的，却使自己空虚，取了奴仆的形体，与人相似，形状也一见如人；他贬抑自己，听命至死，且死在十字架上。为此，天主极其举扬他，赐给了他一个名字，超越其他所有名字，致使上天、地上和地下的一切，一听到耶稣的名字，无不屈膝叩拜；一切唇舌，无不明认耶稣基督是主，以光荣天主圣父。
Reading 2
A reading from the St. Paul to the Philippians 2:6-11
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
福音
玛窦所载主耶稣基督的受难始末 26:14-27:66
（我把耶稣交给你们，你们愿意给我什么？）
叙述：那时候，那十二人之一，名叫犹达斯依斯加略的，去见司祭长，说：
犹达斯：“我把耶稣交给你们，你们愿意给我什么？”
叙述：他们约定给他三十块银钱。从此，犹达斯便寻找机会，要把耶稣交出。
（你愿意我们在那里，给你预备逾越节晚餐？）
叙述：无酵节的第一天，门徒前来对耶稣说：
门徒：“你愿意我们在那里，给你预备逾越节晚餐？”
叙述：耶稣说：
耶稣：“你们进城去见某人，对他说：师父说：我的时候近了，我要与我的门徒，在你那里，举行逾越节。”
叙述：门徒就照耶稣吩咐他们的，做了，预备了逾越节晚餐。
（你们中有一个人，要出卖我。）
叙述：到了晚上，耶稣与十二门徒吃饭。他们正吃晚餐的时候，耶稣说：
耶稣：“我实在告诉你们：你们中有一个人，要出卖我。”
叙述：门徒非常忧闷，开始各自对耶稣说：
门徒：“主，难道是我吗？”
叙述：耶稣回答说：
耶稣：“那同我一起把手蘸在盘子里的人，要出卖我。人子固然要按指着他所写的而去，但是出卖人子的那人，却是有祸的！那人若没有生，为他更好。”
叙述：那要出卖耶稣的犹达斯，也开口问耶稣说：
犹达斯：“辣彼，难道是我吗？”
叙述：耶稣对他说：
耶稣：“你说的是。”
（这是我的身体，这是我的血。）
叙述：他们正吃晚餐的时候，耶稣拿起饼来，祝福了，擘开，递给门徒说：
耶稣：“你们拿去吃吧！这是我的身体。”
叙述：然后，耶稣又拿起杯来，祝谢了，递给他们说：
耶稣：“你们都由这杯喝吧！因为这是我的血，盟约的血，为大众倾流，以赦免罪过。
“我告诉你们：从今以后，我不再喝这葡萄汁了，直到在我父的国里那一天，与你们同喝新酒。”
叙述：他们唱了圣咏，就出来，到橄榄山去。
（我要打击牧人，羊群就四散。）
叙述：那时，耶稣对门徒说：
耶稣：“今夜，你们都要为我的原故跌倒，因为经上记载：
‘我要打击牧人，羊群就要四散。’ 但是，我复活后，要比你们先到加里肋亚。”
叙述：伯多禄却回答耶稣说：
伯多禄：“即使众人都为你的原故跌倒，我决不会跌倒。”
叙述：耶稣对他说：
耶稣：“我实在告诉你：今夜鸡叫以前，你要三次不认我。”
叙述：伯多禄对耶稣说：
伯多禄：“即使我必须同你一起受死，我也决不会不认你。”
叙述：众门徒也都这样说了。
（耶稣开始忧闷恐怖起来）
叙述：随后，耶稣同门徒，来到一个名叫革责玛尼的庄园，便对门徒说：
耶稣：“你们坐在这里，等我到那边去祈祷。”
叙述：耶稣于是带了伯多禄和载伯德的两个儿子，一同前去；耶稣开始忧闷恐怖起来，对他们说：
耶稣：“我的心灵忧闷得要死；你们留在这里，同我一起醒寤吧！”
叙述：耶稣稍往前行，就俯首至地祈祷，说：
耶稣：“我父！如果可能，就免去我这杯吧！但不要照我，而要照你所愿意的。”
叙述：耶稣来到门徒那里，见他们睡着了，便对伯多禄说：
耶稣：“你们竟不能同我醒寤一个时辰吗？醒寤祈祷吧！免陷于诱惑；心神固然切愿，但肉体却软弱。”
叙述：耶稣第二次再去祈祷，说：
耶稣：“我父！如果不能免去这杯，非要我喝不可，就成就你的意愿吧！”
叙述：耶稣又回来，见门徒仍然睡着，因为他们的眼睛十分沉重。耶稣再离开他们，第三次去祈祷，又说了同样的话。然后，回到门徒那里，对他们说：
耶稣：“你们睡下去吧！休息吧！看，时候到了，人子就要被交于罪人手里。起来，我们去吧！看，那出卖我的，已经来到了。”
（他们下手，捉住了耶稣。）
叙述：耶稣还在说话的时候，看！那十二人之一的犹达斯来到；同他一起的，还有许多带着刀剑棍棒的群众，是由司祭长和民间长老派来的。那出卖耶稣的，给了他们一个暗号，说：
犹达斯：“我口亲谁，谁就是；你们捉住他。”
叙述：犹达斯一来到耶稣面前，就说：
犹达斯：“辣彼，你好！”
叙述：犹达斯就口亲了耶稣。耶稣却对他说：
耶稣：“朋友，你来做的事，就做吧！”
叙述：于是，群众上前，向耶稣下手，捉住了他。
有同耶稣在一起的一个人，伸手拔出自己的剑，砍了大司祭的仆人一剑，削去了他的一个耳朵。
耶稣于是对他说：
耶稣：“收回你的剑，因为凡动剑的，必死于剑下。你想我不能要求我父，即刻给我调动十二军以上的天使吗？如果这样，怎能应验经上所载，必须这样发生的事呢？”
叙述：在那时，耶稣对群众说：
耶稣：“你们带着刀剑棍棒，出来捉拿我，如同对付强盗。我天天坐在圣殿里施教，你们却没有捉拿我。”
叙述：这一切都发生了，是为应验先知所记载的。
门徒于是都撇下耶稣，逃跑了。
（你们将要看见人子坐在大能者的右边）
叙述：那些捉住耶稣的人，将耶稣带到大司祭盖法前；经师和长老已聚集在那里。
伯多禄远远跟着耶稣，直到大司祭的庭院。伯多禄也进入里面，坐在差役当中，观看结局。
司祭长和全公议会，捏造相反耶稣的假证据，要把他处死。虽然，有许多假见证出庭，但没有找出什么。
最后，有两个人前来说：
两人：“这人曾经说过：我能拆毁天主的圣殿，在三天内把它重建起来。”
叙述：大司祭就站起来，对耶稣说：
大司祭：“这些人作证反对你的事，你什么也不回答吗？”
叙述：耶稣却默不出声。于是，大司祭对他说：
大司祭：“我因生活的天主起誓，命你告诉我们：你是不是默西亚，天主之子？”
叙述：耶稣对大司祭说：
耶稣：“你说的是。并且，我告诉你们：从此你们将要看见人子，坐在大能者的右边，乘着天上的云彩降来。”
叙述：大司祭于是撕裂自己的衣服，说：
大司祭：“他说了亵渎的话。还需要什么见证吗？你们刚才听到了这亵渎的话，你们以为该怎样办？”
叙述：他们回答说：
群众：“他该死。”
叙述：众人于是向耶稣脸上吐唾沫，用拳头打他；另有一些人，也用巴掌打他，说：
群众：“默西亚，你猜猜是谁打你？”
（鸡叫以前，你要三次不认我。）
叙述：伯多禄在外面庭院，坐着。
有一个使女来到他面前，说：
使女：“你也是同那加里肋亚人耶稣一起的。”
叙述：伯多禄当着众人否认说：
伯多禄：“我不知道你说的是什么。”
叙述：伯多禄出去，到了门廊，另有一个使女看见他，就对那里的人说：
使女：“这人是同那纳匝肋人耶稣一起的。”
叙述：伯多禄又发誓否认说：
伯多禄：“我不认识这个人。”
叙述：过了一会，站在那里的人，前来对伯多禄说：
群众：“的确，你也是他们中的一个，因为你的口音把你暴露出来了。”
叙述：伯多禄就开始诅咒发誓说：
伯多禄：“我不认识这个人。”
叙述：立刻，鸡就叫了。伯多禄便想起耶稣所说的话：“鸡叫以前，你要三次不认我。”
伯多禄一到了外面，就伤心痛哭起来。
（解送给总督比拉多）
叙述：到了早晨，众司祭长和民间长老，就决议陷害耶稣，要把他处死，于是把他捆绑了，解送给总督比拉多。
（这是血价，不可放入献仪箱内。）
叙述：这时，那出卖耶稣的犹达斯，见耶稣已被判决，就后悔了，要把那三十块银钱，退还给司祭长和长老，说：
犹达斯：“我犯了罪，出卖了无辜者的血！”
叙述：他们却说：
群众：“这与我们何干？是你自己的事！”
叙述：于是，犹达斯把那些银钱，扔在圣所里，就走出去，上吊死了。
司祭长拿了那些银钱，说：
司祭长：“这是血价，不可放入献仪箱内。”
叙述：他们商议后，就用那银钱，买了陶工的田，作为埋葬外乡人之用。为此，直到今日，仍称那块田为“血田”。
这就应验了耶肋米亚先知所说的话：“他们拿了三十块银钱，即以色列子民为被卖的人，所估定的价钱，用这钱，买了陶工的那块田，正如上主吩咐我的。”
（你是犹太人的君王吗）
叙述：耶稣站在总督面前，总督便审问他说：
比拉多：“你是犹太人的君王吗？”
叙述：耶稣回答说：
耶稣：“你说的是。”
叙述：当司祭长和长老控告耶稣时，耶稣什么也不回答。于是比拉多对耶稣说：
比拉多：“你没有听见，他们提出多少证据，来控告你吗？”
叙述：耶稣连一句话，也没有回答，以致总督大为惊异。
每逢节日，总督惯常给民众，释放一个他们愿意释放的囚犯。那时，正有一个出名的囚犯，名叫巴辣巴。
叙述：当群众聚集一起时，比拉多对他们说：
比拉多：“你们愿意我给你们释放那一个？巴辣巴，或是那称为默西亚的耶稣？”
叙述：原来比拉多知道，他们是由于嫉妒，才把耶稣解送来的。
比拉多正坐堂时，他的妻子，派人到他面前说：
来人：“你千万不要干涉那义人的事，因为我为他，今天在梦中，受了许多苦。”
叙述：司祭长和长老，却说服了民众，叫他们要求巴辣巴，而除掉耶稣。
总督又向他们说：
比拉多：“这两个人中，你们愿意我给你们释放那一个？”
叙述：民众说：
群众：“巴辣巴。”
叙述：比拉多对他们说：
比拉多：“那么，对于那称为默西亚的耶稣，我该怎么办？”
叙述：众人回答说：
群众：“该钉他在十字架上。”
叙述：总督又问：
比拉多：“他究竟做了什么恶事？”
叙述：他们越发喊说：
群众：“该钉死他在十字架上。”
叙述：比拉多见事情毫无进展，反倒更为混乱，就拿水，当着民众洗手，说：
比拉多：“对这义人的血，我是无罪的；你们自己负责吧！”
叙述：全体百姓回答说：
群众：“他的血，归在我们和我们的子孙身上！”
叙述：于是，比拉多给他们释放了巴辣巴；把耶稣鞭打了以后，交给人，钉在十字架上。
（犹太人的君王，万岁！）
叙述：那时，总督的兵士，把耶稣带到总督府内，召集了全队，围着耶稣，脱去了他的衣服，给他披上一件紫红色的外氅；又用荆棘，编了一个茨冠，戴在他头上；拿一根芦苇，放在他右手里；然后跪在他面前，戏弄他说：
群众：“犹太人的君王，万岁！”
叙述：然后，兵士向耶稣吐唾沫，拿起芦苇，来敲他的头。
戏弄完了，就给他脱去外氅，又给他穿上他自己的衣服，带他去钉在十字架上。
（与耶稣一起，被钉在十字架上，还有两个强盗。）
叙述：他们出来时，遇见一个基勒乃人，名叫西满，就强迫他背耶稣的十字架。
到了一个名叫哥耳哥达的地方，即称为“髑髅”的地方，他们就拿苦艾调和的酒，给耶稣喝；耶稣只尝了一尝，便不愿意喝。
他们把耶稣钉在十字架上，以后，就拈阄，分了耶稣的衣服；然后坐在那里，看守他。
在耶稣的头上，放了他的罪状牌，写着：“这是耶稣，犹太人的君王。”
当时，与耶稣一起，被钉在十字架上的，还有两个强盗：一个在右边，一个在左边。
（如果你是天主子，从十字架上下来吧！）
叙述：路过的人，都摇头辱骂耶稣说：
群众：“你这拆毁圣殿，而三日内重建起来的，救你自己吧！如果你是天主子，从十字架上下来吧！”
叙述：司祭长和经师与长老，也同样戏弄耶稣，说：
群众：“他救了别人，却不能救自己；他既是以色列君王，现在从十字架上下来吧！我们就信他。他信赖天主；如果天主喜欢他，现在就该救他，因为他说过：我是天主子。”
叙述：同耶稣一起，被钉在十字架上的强盗，也这样讥笑他。
（厄里、厄里、肋玛撒巴黑塔尼！）
叙述：从第六时辰起，直到第九时辰，遍地都黑暗了。约莫第九时辰，耶稣大声呼喊说：
耶稣：“厄里、厄里，肋玛撒巴黑塔尼！”
叙述：就是说：
耶稣：“我的天主，我的天主！你为什么舍弃了我？”
叙述：站在那里的人中，有几个听见了，就说：
群众：“这人呼唤厄里亚呢！”
叙述：他们中有一个人，立即跑去，拿了海绵，浸满了醋，绑在芦苇上，递给耶稣喝。其余的人却说：
群众：“等一等，我们看，是否厄里亚来救他！”
叙述：耶稣又大喊一声，遂交付了灵魂。
跪下默祷片刻
叙述：看，圣所的帐幔，从上到下，分裂为二，大地震动，岩石崩裂，坟墓自开。许多长眠的圣者的身体，复活了；在耶稣复活后，他们由坟墓出来，进入圣城，显现给许多人。
百夫长和同他一起看守耶稣的人，一见地动和所发生的事，就非常害怕，说：
群众：“这人真是天主子！”
叙述：有许多妇女在那里，从远处观望；她们从加里肋亚，就跟随了耶稣，为服事他。其中有玛利亚玛达肋纳，雅各伯和若瑟的母亲玛利亚，与载伯德儿子的母亲。
（若瑟把耶稣的遗体，安放在自己的新墓穴里。）
叙述：到了傍晚，来了一个阿黎玛特雅的富翁，名叫若瑟；他也是耶稣的门徒。这人去见比拉多，请求领取耶稣的遗体；比拉多就下令交给他。
若瑟领了耶稣的遗体，就用洁白的殓布，将它包好，安放在他为自己在岩石间凿成的新墓穴里；并把一块大石头，滚到墓口，塞住墓门，就走了。
那里还有玛利亚玛达肋纳，及另外一个玛利亚，面对坟墓，坐着。
（你们可带一队卫兵，尽你们所能，好好看守。）
叙述：第二天，即预备日以后的那天，司祭长和法利塞人，一同来见比拉多，说：
群众：“大人，我们记得那个骗子活着的时候，曾说过：三天以后，我要复活。为此，请你下令，把守坟墓，直到第三天；怕他的门徒来了，把他偷去，而对百姓说：他从死人中复活了。那最后的骗局，就比先前的，更坏了！”
叙述：比拉多对他们说：
比拉多：“你们可带一队卫兵，尽你们所能，好好看守。”
叙述：司祭长和法利塞人就去，在石上加上封条，派驻卫兵，把守坟墓。
Gospel
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 26:14-27:66
One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,
went to the chief priests and said,
“What are you willing to give me
if I hand him over to you?”
They paid him thirty pieces of silver,
and from that time on he looked for an opportunity
to hand him over.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
the disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Where do you want us to prepare
for you to eat the Passover?”
He said,
“Go into the city to a certain man and tell him,
‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near;
in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘”
The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered,
and prepared the Passover.
When it was evening,
he reclined at table with the Twelve.
And while they were eating, he said,
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Deeply distressed at this,
they began to say to him one after another,
“Surely it is not I, Lord?”
He said in reply,
“He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me
is the one who will betray me.
The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,
but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.
It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”
Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply,
“Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”
He answered, “You have said so.”
While they were eating,
Jesus took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and giving it to his disciples said,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink from it, all of you,
for this is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed on behalf of many
for the forgiveness of sins.
I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine
until the day when I drink it with you new
in the kingdom of my Father.”
Then, after singing a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Then Jesus said to them,
“This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken,
for it is written:
I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed;
but after I have been raised up,
I shall go before you to Galilee.”
Peter said to him in reply,
“Though all may have their faith in you shaken,
mine will never be.”
Jesus said to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
this very night before the cock crows,
you will deny me three times.”
Peter said to him,
“Even though I should have to die with you,
I will not deny you.”
And all the disciples spoke likewise.
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane,
and he said to his disciples,
“Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,
and began to feel sorrow and distress.
Then he said to them,
“My soul is sorrowful even to death.
Remain here and keep watch with me.”
He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying,
“My Father, if it is possible,
let this cup pass from me;
yet, not as I will, but as you will.”
When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep.
He said to Peter,
“So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?
Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again,
“My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass
without my drinking it, your will be done!”
Then he returned once more and found them asleep,
for they could not keep their eyes open.
He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time,
saying the same thing again.
Then he returned to his disciples and said to them,
“Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?
Behold, the hour is at hand
when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
Get up, let us go.
Look, my betrayer is at hand.”
While he was still speaking,
Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived,
accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs,
who had come from the chief priests and the elders
of the people.
His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying,
“The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.”
Immediately he went over to Jesus and said,
“Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him.
Jesus answered him,
“Friend, do what you have come for.”
Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus
put his hand to his sword, drew it,
and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear.
Then Jesus said to him,
“Put your sword back into its sheath,
for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father
and he will not provide me at this moment
with more than twelve legions of angels?
But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled
which say that it must come to pass in this way?”
At that hour Jesus said to the crowds,
“Have you come out as against a robber,
with swords and clubs to seize me?
Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area,
yet you did not arrest me.
But all this has come to pass
that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.”
Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Those who had arrested Jesus led him away
to Caiaphas the high priest,
where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
Peter was following him at a distance
as far as the high priest’s courtyard,
and going inside he sat down with the servants
to see the outcome.
The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin
kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus
in order to put him to death,
but they found none,
though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward who stated,
“This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God
and within three days rebuild it.'”
The high priest rose and addressed him,
“Have you no answer?
What are these men testifying against you?”
But Jesus was silent.
Then the high priest said to him,
“I order you to tell us under oath before the living God
whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“You have said so.
But I tell you:
From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power’
and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.'”
Then the high priest tore his robes and said,
“He has blasphemed!
What further need have we of witnesses?
You have now heard the blasphemy;
what is your opinion?”
They said in reply,
“He deserves to die!”
Then they spat in his face and struck him,
while some slapped him, saying,
“Prophesy for us, Christ: who is it that struck you?”
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard.
One of the maids came over to him and said,
“You too were with Jesus the Galilean.”
But he denied it in front of everyone, saying,
“I do not know what you are talking about!”
As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him
and said to those who were there,
“This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.”
Again he denied it with an oath,
“I do not know the man!”
A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter,
“Surely you too are one of them;
even your speech gives you away.”
At that he began to curse and to swear,
“I do not know the man.”
And immediately a cock crowed.
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken:
“Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.”
He went out and began to weep bitterly.
When it was morning,
all the chief priests and the elders of the people
took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
They bound him, led him away,
and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned,
deeply regretted what he had done.
He returned the thirty pieces of silver
to the chief priests and elders, saying,
“I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.”
They said,
“What is that to us?
Look to it yourself.”
Flinging the money into the temple,
he departed and went off and hanged himself.
The chief priests gathered up the money, but said,
“It is not lawful to deposit this in the temple treasury,
for it is the price of blood.”
After consultation, they used it to buy the potter’s field
as a burial place for foreigners.
That is why that field even today is called the Field of Blood.
Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah
the prophet,
And they took the thirty pieces of silver,
the value of a man with a price on his head,
a price set by some of the Israelites,
and they paid it out for the potter’s field
just as the Lord had commanded me.
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him,
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus said, “You say so.”
And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders,
he made no answer.
Then Pilate said to him,
“Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?”
But he did not answer him one word,
so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Now on the occasion of the feast
the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd
one prisoner whom they wished.
And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them,
“Which one do you want me to release to you,
Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?”
For he knew that it was out of envy
that they had handed him over.
While he was still seated on the bench,
his wife sent him a message,
“Have nothing to do with that righteous man.
I suffered much in a dream today because of him.”
The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds
to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus.
The governor said to them in reply,
“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
They answered, “Barabbas!”
Pilate said to them,
“Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?”
They all said,
“Let him be crucified!”
But he said,
“Why? What evil has he done?”
They only shouted the louder,
“Let him be crucified!”
When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all,
but that a riot was breaking out instead,
he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd,
saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood.
Look to it yourselves.”
And the whole people said in reply,
“His blood be upon us and upon our children.”
Then he released Barabbas to them,
but after he had Jesus scourged,
he handed him over to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium
and gathered the whole cohort around him.
They stripped off his clothes
and threw a scarlet military cloak about him.
Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head,
and a reed in his right hand.
And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying,
“Hail, King of the Jews!”
They spat upon him and took the reed
and kept striking him on the head.
And when they had mocked him,
they stripped him of the cloak,
dressed him in his own clothes,
and led him off to crucify him.
As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon;
this man they pressed into service
to carry his cross.
And when they came to a place called Golgotha
—which means Place of the Skull —,
they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall.
But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink.
After they had crucified him,
they divided his garments by casting lots;
then they sat down and kept watch over him there.
And they placed over his head the written charge against him:
This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
Two revolutionaries were crucified with him,
one on his right and the other on his left.
Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying,
“You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,
save yourself, if you are the Son of God,
and come down from the cross!”
Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said,
“He saved others; he cannot save himself.
So he is the king of Israel!
Let him come down from the cross now,
and we will believe in him.
He trusted in God;
let him deliver him now if he wants him.
For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.'”
The revolutionaries who were crucified with him
also kept abusing him in the same way.
From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon.
And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”
which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Some of the bystanders who heard it said,
“This one is calling for Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge;
he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed,
gave it to him to drink.
But the rest said,
“Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.”
But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice,
and gave up his spirit.
Here all kneel and pause for a short time.
And behold, the veil of the sanctuary
was torn in two from top to bottom.
The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened,
and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection,
they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus
feared greatly when they saw the earthquake
and all that was happening, and they said,
“Truly, this was the Son of God!”
There were many women there, looking on from a distance,
who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.
Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph,
and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
When it was evening,
there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph,
who was himself a disciple of Jesus.
He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus;
then Pilate ordered it to be handed over.
Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen
and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock.
Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb
and departed.
But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
remained sitting there, facing the tomb.
The next day, the one following the day of preparation,
the chief priests and the Pharisees
gathered before Pilate and said,
“Sir, we remember that this impostor while still alive said,
‘After three days I will be raised up.’
Give orders, then, that the grave be secured until the third day,
lest his disciples come and steal him and say to the people,
‘He has been raised from the dead.’
This last imposture would be worse than the first.”
Pilate said to them,
“The guard is yours;
go, secure it as best you can.”
So they went and secured the tomb
by fixing a seal to the stone and setting the guard.
or
Jesus stood before the governor, Pontius Pilate, who questioned him,
“Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus said, “You say so.”
And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders,
he made no answer.
Then Pilate said to him,
“Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?”
But he did not answer him one word,
so that the governor was greatly amazed.
Now on the occasion of the feast
the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd
one prisoner whom they wished.
And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them,
“Which one do you want me to release to you,
Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?”
For he knew that it was out of envy
that they had handed him over.
While he was still seated on the bench,
his wife sent him a message,
“Have nothing to do with that righteous man.
I suffered much in a dream today because of him.”
The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds
to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus.
The governor said to them in reply,
“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
They answered, “Barabbas!”
Pilate said to them,
“Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?”
They all said,
“Let him be crucified!”
But he said,
“Why? What evil has he done?”
They only shouted the louder,
“Let him be crucified!”
When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all,
but that a riot was breaking out instead,
he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd,
saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood.
Look to it yourselves.”
And the whole people said in reply,
“His blood be upon us and upon our children.”
Then he released Barabbas to them,
but after he had Jesus scourged,
he handed him over to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium
and gathered the whole cohort around him.
They stripped off his clothes
and threw a scarlet military cloak about him.
Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head,
and a reed in his right hand.
And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying,
“Hail, King of the Jews!”
They spat upon him and took the reed
and kept striking him on the head.
And when they had mocked him,
they stripped him of the cloak,
dressed him in his own clothes,
and led him off to crucify him.
As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon;
this man they pressed into service
to carry his cross.
And when they came to a place called Golgotha
— which means Place of the Skull —,
they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall.
But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink.
After they had crucified him,
they divided his garments by casting lots;
then they sat down and kept watch over him there.
And they placed over his head the written charge against him:
This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
Two revolutionaries were crucified with him,
one on his right and the other on his left.
Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying,
“You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,
save yourself, if you are the Son of God,
and come down from the cross!”
Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said,
“He saved others; he cannot save himself.
So he is the king of Israel!
Let him come down from the cross now,
and we will believe in him.
He trusted in God;
let him deliver him now if he wants him.
For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.'”
The revolutionaries who were crucified with him
also kept abusing him in the same way.
From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon.
And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”
which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Some of the bystanders who heard it said,
“This one is calling for Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge;
he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed,
gave it to him to drink.
But the rest said,
‘Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.”
But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice,
and gave up his spirit.
Here all kneel and pause for a short time.
And behold, the veil of the sanctuary
was torn in two from top to bottom.
The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened,
and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection,
they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus
feared greatly when they saw the earthquake
and all that was happening, and they said,
“Truly, this was the Son of God!”