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Scripture Text (NRSV)

 

Matthew 26:14-27:66

 

26:14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests

26:15 and said, "What will you give me if I betray him to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver.

26:16 And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

26:17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?"

26:18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'"

26:19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

26:20 When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve;

26:21 and while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me."

26:22 And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, "Surely not I, Lord?"

26:23 He answered, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.

26:24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born."

26:25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" He replied, "You have said so."

26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."

26:27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you;

26:28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

26:29 I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

26:30 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

26:32 But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee."

26:33 Peter said to him, "Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you."

26:34 Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."

26:35 Peter said to him, "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you." And so said all the disciples.

26:36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

26:37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated.

26:38 Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me."

26:39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want."

26:40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?

26:41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

26:42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."

26:43 Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

26:44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.

26:45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

26:46: Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."

26:47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

26:48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him."

26:49 At once he came up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

26:50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.

26:51 Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

26:52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

26:53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

26:54 But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?"

26:55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me.

26:56 But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

26:57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered.

26:58 But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end.

26:59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death,

26:60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward

26: 61 and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.'"

26:62 The high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?"

26:63 But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, "I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."

26:64 Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."

26:65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy.

26:66 What is your verdict?" They answered, "He deserves death."

26:67 Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him,

26:68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?"

26:69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean."

26:70 But he denied it before all of them, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about."

26:71 When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."

26:72 Again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man."

26:73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you."

26:74 Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know the man!" At that moment the cock crowed.

26:75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death.

27:2 They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

27:3 When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.

27:4 He said, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself."

27:5 Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself.

27:6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, "It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money."

27:7 After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter's field as a place to bury foreigners.

27:8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.

27:9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price,

27:10 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."

27:11 Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You say so."

27:12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer.

27:13 Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?"

27:14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

27:15 Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted.

27:16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus Barabbas.

27:17 So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?"

27:18 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over.

27:19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him."

27:20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed.

27:21 The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas."

27:22 Pilate said to them, "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?" All of them said, "Let him be crucified!"

27:23 Then he asked, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified!"

27:24 So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves."

27:25 Then the people as a whole answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!"

27:26 So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

27:27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him.

27:28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,

27:29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

27:30 They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head.

27:31 After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

27:32 As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross.

27:33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull),

27:34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.

27:35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots;

27:36 then they sat down there and kept watch over him.

27:37 Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."

27:38 Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

27:39 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads

27:40 and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

27:41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying,

27:42 "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.

27:43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, 'I am God's Son.'"

27:44 The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

27:45 From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.

27:46 And about three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

27:47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "This man is calling for Elijah."

27:48 At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink.

27:49 But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him."

27:50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.

27:51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.

27:52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.

27:53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many.

27:54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, "Truly this man was God's Son!"

27:55 Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him.

27:56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

27:57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus.

27:58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

27:59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth

27:60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.

27:61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

27:62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate

27:63 and said, "Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, 'After three days I will rise again.'

27:64 Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, 'He has been raised from the dead,' and the last deception would be worse than the first."

27:65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can."

27:66 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

 

Comments:

 

For some years now, I have let this drama speak for itself, following it not with a sermon or homily, but with what, in my denomination, we call the "Litany of Penitence". The only thing which I do differently from that which is printed in the Book of Common Prayer is that I ask the congregation to read in unison the petitions which normally would be read by the cleric, while I read the responses (which would normally come from the congregation). It seems to be rather effective.

Jim


Something occurred to me in reading this narrative again for the umpteenth time. In Matthew 27:25, the people, in response to Pilate's declaration of innocence, shout, "Let his blood be on us and on our children." Much has been made of this over the centuries, and it has often been used as an excuse for anti-semitism, giving the Jewish people the corporate title of "Christ-killers." (Still is in some places...) While I doubt that any contributors here would be proponents of such theology, it's still "in there," and the common misinterpretation is still in people's minds, unfortunately. Here's the insight that I had today: Just as Jesus, the Son of the Father, is crucified in place of Barabbas (meaning "son of the father), and his death brings freedom to the criminal/sinner, so the words of the crowd speak not of their condemnation but, ultimately, their salvation. Although their cries do not intend to proclaim salvation, like so much else in the Gospel, they are ironic. So, when they say, "Let his blood be on us and our children," the image of being "washed in the blood of the Lamb" from Revelation comes to mind. Surely, this was not on Matthew's mind, since Revelation was still far from being written. Even so, being very well steeped in his own Jewish tradition, he would have been very familiar with the sprinkling of blood by Moses on the people in the ceremony sealing the covenant (Ex. 24:1-11). The blood on "them and their children" there was not necessarily for condemnation but for participation in the covenant. (Granted the shedding of blood reflected a sense of "let this happen to me if I am not faitfhul.) What I'm driving at here is the notion that Matthew, even though there were plenty of controversies going on right then between the two groups we now call "Jews" and "Christians," was not expressing simple condemnation of the Jews. While there may have been that element, perhaps Matthew is making a theological statement: WE are Barabbas, freed and saved from death by the Son of God; WE are "the people," who participate in the new covenant instituted in the blood of Christ (cf. Mt. 26:27-28.) I admit this is a stretch, and I am no scripture scholar, but it seems possible. Don't know if it fits into a sermon/homily, and I'm not even sure I'm going to try to use it this weekend. I was just excited to share my insight and am wondering what others think. Sorry for going on and on...this is the way my homilies are, too, which is why I will probably not include this in this week's!

Metz


Metz

What a marvelous epiphany! It truly was insightful. Thank you for that. As the perrenial three-point guy that I am, I'm looking at seeing ourselves in three roles here based on what you've said. We are Barabbas, we are the people, we are... whom? Still need to get that one but you have done me an immense service. Thank you. And God bless.

JG in WI


LOL I am not always a three point sermon person...but I an kicking around something God gave me... Addressing three Questions. What would you give me to betray Jesus? Why Can't I do what Jesus Ask? and Would I deny you,Lord? and Close with the Barrabus thought.... Jesus took his place on the cross Illustration Barrabus as us---He took MY place---He took pur place! Ladypreacher in Ohio


"We are Barabbas, we are the people, we are... whom?"

Some suggestions:

We are:

Judas - betraying him because he hasn't lived up to our expectations and we think we can do better

Peter - denying him out of fear for our own safety

Pilate - trying to understand what we are doing, trying not to do it but at the same time afraid not to do it....

The High Priest - protecting our turf

The Magdalene and the other Mary - weeping to see our Lord crucified

The Centurion - realizing when all is said and done that this is Son of God

Christ - called to give our own lives in the service of and for the benefit of others.

Just a few suggestions.

Blessings, Eric in KS


The very thought of going through the "triumphal" entry through the passion within the designated 60 minutes' worship gives me mental (and emotional) whiplash. And, i must confess, I can't get over my little beef about there being a NEED to lump it all into one day in the first place.

My early thoughts are of a crown and a cross - no matter how many palm branches we spread on his path, the crown he receives is one of thorns.

The anthem the choir will sing (our choir is back up and singing - praise God!!!!) does a decent job of highlighting the contrasts in the day, so I intend to follow the anthem's example.

Early thoughts ...

Sally in GA


Metz I might use this Easter. not sure yet. I might want to use it in the newsletter. Can I put your name to it please? email revncarmicheal@yahoo.com Nancy-Wi


Ladypreacher - Three points isn't for everyone, but as a pastor who was "ordained from the pew," I preach what I used to enjoy hearing. What can I say?

Eric in KS - I think I'm seeking images of us finding salvation. (Barabbas, the people) I can use the centurian as my third, but for some reason, I'd like to see if, in any way, Pilate found salvation here. If we stick to the text alone, do we see anything hopeful in Pilate?

It's hard because we know from history the cruelty of this man. I'd still like to put out a word of some hope for him... but maybe I'm looking for something that just isn't there. Perhaps there's even a message in that. When Jesus confronted Pilate, did Jesus offer him hope... and it just wasn't there?

Metz - I do plan to use this and my fellow Wisconsinite, Nancy-Wi, is right in trying to give you credit. If you wish to send your name to me at The-Graffs@wi.rr.com (or I'll just say "Metz"). Up to you.


Hey Metz, Thanks for your detailed insight. I too found powerful use of that line that "his blood be on us and our children" as I wrote in the shorter version of the lesson. His blood on us..is our judgement and our grace.

Also ironically Pilate wants to wash his hands clean, but Jesus' blood is on him as well. It is on us all. I don't often like the blood imagery, yet from the Old Testament blood represents life. "The blood is Life" (Leviticus 17) Which is also theologically true that we are given Life through Jesus's death and resurrection. Through is own blood.

I want to avoid a substitutionary theory of atonement and yet balance it with Jesus's death giving us life....

I think this can be a powerful theological sermon, if it comes together.

rb in canada


JG in WI In his book "Portraits of the Passon" Paul G. Hansen writes, Over in the Swiss Alps there is a peak known as Mt. Pilatus, named after Pontius Pilate, because tradition says he was exiled to Switzerland shortly after the crucifixion of Jesus and died there by his own hand. Apparently his efforts to please everybody finally pleased nobody. And legend has it that when the mists lie low over beautiful Lake Lucerne at the foot of Mt. Pilatus, the ghost of Pilate can still be seen, moaning in the moonlight, endlessly washing his hands." (Pulpit Resource 8:1,p.39) Hope this helps? Harrell in Texas


I decided to use only the Palm Sunday and the Passion Gospel readings (Full liturgy for the procession with palms) and I am doing one short sermon between them. It started out as a children's message. What do you think?

Palm/Passion Sunday Message

On Sunday Jesus entered Jerusalem. He road a donkey. The people waved palms. It was like a coronation The people shouted “Hosanna” – which means “save us” And they called him the “Son of David”

Jesus was entering Jerusalem like a king going to be anointed It was political. It was religious. And it made the religious leaders mad.

Jesus went to the temple. He threw out the moneychangers and the pigeon sellers Jesus was acting with authority It was political It was religious It made the religious leaders even more angry

Jesus was asked the next day by what authority he did These things but he would not answered It was political It was religious It made the religious leaders even angrier

He told parables against the priests and the scribes. He was tested in turn by each religious and political group in Jerusalem until none dared question him further. It made the religious leaders madder yet.

At night he would retreat back to Bethany Then each day he went back to Jerusalem and made them madder.

On Thursday they stayed in Jerusalem with his disciples. They shared a meal. They went to a garden and prayed. Then Jesus was betrayed He was arrested He was tried first by the religious authorities and then by the political ones. Jesus was executed for being the King of the Jews It was political It was religious And his death was for them and for us.

We don't want to hear his story We don't want to be sad or mad or feel bad. But the people who shouted Hosanna And the people who cried crucify him Were both asking for the same thing. They just didn't know it. For one man to die, in order that they might be saved.

And we cry the same thing Hosanna - Lord save us. Amen

mehrke in SD