Matthew 26:59-68; Matthew 27:1-10

Matthew 26:59-68

59 The high priests, conspiring with the Jewish Council, tried to cook up charges against Jesus in order to sentence him to death.

60 But even though many stepped up, making up one false accusation after another, nothing was believable.

61 with this: "He said, 'I can tear down this Temple of God and after three days rebuild it.'"

62 The Chief Priest stood up and said, "What do you have to say to the accusation?"

63 Jesus kept silent. Then the Chief Priest said, "I command you by the authority of the living God to say if you are the Messiah, the Son of God."

64 Jesus was curt: "You yourself said it. And that's not all. Soon you'll see it for yourself: The Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Mighty One, Arriving on the clouds of heaven."

65 At that, the Chief Priest lost his temper, ripping his robes, yelling, "He blasphemed! Why do we need witnesses to accuse him? You all heard him blaspheme!

66 Are you going to stand for such blasphemy?" They all said, "Death! That seals his death sentence."

67 Then they were spitting in his face and banging him around. They jeered as they slapped him:

68 "Prophesy, Messiah: Who hit you that time?" Denial in the Courtyard

Matthew 27:1-10

1 In the first light of dawn, all the high priests and religious leaders met and put the finishing touches on their plot to kill Jesus.

2 Then they tied him up and paraded him to Pilate, the governor.

3 Judas, the one who betrayed him, realized that Jesus was doomed. Overcome with remorse, he gave back the thirty silver coins to the high priests,

4 saying, "I've sinned. I've betrayed an innocent man." They said, "What do we care? That's your problem!"

5 Judas threw the silver coins into the Temple and left. Then he went out and hung himself.

6 The high priests picked up the silver pieces, but then didn't know what to do with them. "It wouldn't be right to give this - a payment for murder! - as an offering in the Temple."

7 They decided to get rid of it by buying the "Potter's Field" and use it as a burial place for the homeless.

8 That's how the field got called "Murder Meadow," a name that has stuck to this day.

9 Then Jeremiah's words became history: They took the thirty silver pieces, The price of the one priced by some sons of Israel,

10 And they purchased the potter's field. And so they unwittingly followed the divine instructions to the letter.