Study Desk

So after consultation they used the money to buy the Potter's Field as a burial place for strangers.

AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER'S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME."

So when they had assembled [for this purpose], Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to set free for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

For Pilate knew that it was because of jealousy that the chief priests and elders had handed Jesus over to him.

While he was seated on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous and innocent Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him."

But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.

The governor said to them, "Which of the two do you wish me to set free for you?" And they said, "Barabbas."

And all the people answered, "Let [the responsibility for] His blood be on us and on our children!"

So he set Barabbas free for them; but after having Jesus severely whipped (scourged), he handed Him over to be crucified.

"HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.'"

When some of the bystanders there heard it, they began saying, "This man is calling for Elijah."

He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus [so that he might bury Him], and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

The next day, that is, the day after the [day of] preparation [for the Sabbath], the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate,

And a great earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone [from the opening of the tomb], and sat on it.

But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.

"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said [He would]. Come! See the place where He was lying.

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me [just as I promised]."

So they took the money [they were paid for lying] and did as they were instructed; and this [fabricated] story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to the present day.

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins [that is, requiring a change of one's old way of thinking, turning away from sin and seeking God and His righteousness].

"As for me, I baptized you [who came to me] with water [only]; but He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit."