27 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
11 Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
12 When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14 But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
25 All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”
26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Judas tells the chief priests, "I have betrayed innocent blood." But should he have not said, "I have laid a hand on the Lord's anointed and I am guilty." But that is not what Judas says. Judas just says he has betrayed innocent blood. Because it is the innocent lamb of God who goes uncomplaining forth.
Side note: the addition of this text is one of the interesting things concerning the Four Year Lectionary. The climax of all for Gospels is the Passion narrative. Other lectionaries will read the Passion Narrative during Holy Week only, but here as alternative lessons the hearer or reader can use the Passion Narrative on other Days.
I say this as a transition to seeing people plot against our Lord. There is no greater plot against the Lord and his anointed than those people who deliver Jesus over to be crucified. The chief priests and elders contracted Judas to betray Jesus Christ. They convince the Governor, Pilate, to have him killed or murdered. Pilate tries to keep the peace, but becomes a part of the plot against the Lord's anointed.
These people with all their anger and hatred lead the crowds to cry out, "Crucify him!" The look to their plan and plot unfold before their eyes. But it is only those people who know the whole story that remember Jesus predicting his death and resurrection three times.
St Peter and St John told us that these people plot in vain. These people plot against the Lord and His anointed one. They seem to not be plotting in vain. But really this is not their great and wise plan, it is God's plan. God's plan was to have the betrayer hand him over to be crucified. God's plan was to have Pilate use his authority to have Christ flogged and crucify. They plotted to kill Jesus Christ, but God planned to sacrifice Jesus Christ.
Thus, we remember the passion narrative again. We remember that they did plot and found success for a while (about three days) until Jesus Christ spoiled all their plans with his own. God planned for His Son to die for the sins of the world and to provide them with Salvation. Humans plot in vain. God plans and it happens.
Side note: the addition of this text is one of the interesting things concerning the Four Year Lectionary. The climax of all for Gospels is the Passion narrative. Other lectionaries will read the Passion Narrative during Holy Week only, but here as alternative lessons the hearer or reader can use the Passion Narrative on other Days.
I say this as a transition to seeing people plot against our Lord. There is no greater plot against the Lord and his anointed than those people who deliver Jesus over to be crucified. The chief priests and elders contracted Judas to betray Jesus Christ. They convince the Governor, Pilate, to have him killed or murdered. Pilate tries to keep the peace, but becomes a part of the plot against the Lord's anointed.
These people with all their anger and hatred lead the crowds to cry out, "Crucify him!" The look to their plan and plot unfold before their eyes. But it is only those people who know the whole story that remember Jesus predicting his death and resurrection three times.
St Peter and St John told us that these people plot in vain. These people plot against the Lord and His anointed one. They seem to not be plotting in vain. But really this is not their great and wise plan, it is God's plan. God's plan was to have the betrayer hand him over to be crucified. God's plan was to have Pilate use his authority to have Christ flogged and crucify. They plotted to kill Jesus Christ, but God planned to sacrifice Jesus Christ.
Thus, we remember the passion narrative again. We remember that they did plot and found success for a while (about three days) until Jesus Christ spoiled all their plans with his own. God planned for His Son to die for the sins of the world and to provide them with Salvation. Humans plot in vain. God plans and it happens.
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