Matthew 27, side by side

Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.

Modern

1Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

Classic

1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

Modern

2and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.

Classic

2And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Modern

3Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Classic

3Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Modern

4saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”

Classic

4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

Modern

5He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged himself.

Classic

5And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Modern

6The chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.”

Classic

6And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

Modern

7They took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with them, to bury strangers in.

Classic

7And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.

Modern

8Therefore that field was called “The Field of Blood” to this day.

Classic

8Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

Modern

9Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced,

Classic

9Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

Modern

10and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Classic

10And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.

Modern

11Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “So you say.”

Classic

11And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

Modern

12When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

Classic

12And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

Modern

13Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?”

Classic

13Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

Modern

14He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

Classic

14And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Modern

15Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired.

Classic

15Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

Modern

16They had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

Classic

16And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

Modern

17When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?”

Classic

17Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

Modern

18For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.

Classic

18For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Modern

19While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.”

Classic

19When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

Modern

20Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

Classic

20But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

Modern

21But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!”

Classic

21The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

Modern

22Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!”

Classic

22Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

Modern

23But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!”

Classic

23And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

Modern

24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”

Classic

24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

Modern

25All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!”

Classic

25Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

Modern

26Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified.

Classic

26Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Modern

27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him.

Classic

27Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

Modern

28They stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him.

Classic

28And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

Modern

29They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

Classic

29And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

Modern

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

Classic

30And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

Modern

31When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Classic

31And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Modern

32As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross.

Classic

32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

Modern

33When they came to a place called “Golgotha”, that is to say, “The place of a skull,”

Classic

33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

Modern

34they gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink.

Classic

34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

Modern

35When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,

Classic

35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

Modern

36and they sat and watched him there.

Classic

36And sitting down they watched him there;

Modern

37They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Classic

37And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Modern

38Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.

Classic

38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Modern

39Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads,

Classic

39And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

Modern

40and saying, “You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”

Classic

40And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Modern

41Likewise the chief priests also mocking, with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said,

Classic

41Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

Modern

42“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.

Classic

42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

Modern

43He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

Classic

43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

Modern

44The robbers also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach.

Classic

44The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

Modern

45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.

Classic

45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

Modern

46About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Classic

46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Modern

47Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”

Classic

47Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

Modern

48Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him a drink.

Classic

48And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

Modern

49The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”

Classic

49The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

Modern

50Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.

Classic

50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Modern

51Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.

Classic

51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Modern

52The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

Classic

52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

Modern

53and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.

Classic

53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Modern

54Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

Classic

54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Modern

55Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.

Classic

55And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:

Modern

56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Classic

56Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.

Modern

57When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple came.

Classic

57When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:

Modern

58This man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.

Classic

58He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

Modern

59Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

Classic

59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

Modern

60and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock, and he rolled a great stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

Classic

60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Modern

61Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

Classic

61And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

Modern

62Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate,

Classic

62Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

Modern

63saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’

Classic

63Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

Modern

64Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He is risen from the dead;’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”

Classic

64Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

Modern

65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

Classic

65Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

Modern

66So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.

Classic

66So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

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