The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Plain English · paraphraseGet up, let's go. Look, the one who will betray me is near.

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came. With him was a large crowd carrying swords and sticks, sent by the chief priests and the elders of the people.

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

Plain English · paraphraseThe one who handed him over gave them a sign, saying, "Whoever I kiss, that is the one. Hold him tightly."

And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd immediately he came to Jesus and said, "Hello, teacher," and kissed him.

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?" Then they came and put their hands on Jesus and took him.

And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd suddenly, one of those with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck a servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to him, "Put your sword back in its place. All who use the sword will die by the sword."

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

Plain English · paraphraseDo you think I cannot now ask my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Plain English · paraphraseBut then how will the scriptures be fulfilled if it must happen this way?

In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

Plain English · paraphraseAt that same moment Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out against me like a thief, with swords and clubs, to arrest me? I was teaching in the temple every day, and you never seized me."

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Plain English · paraphraseBut all this happened so that the words of the prophets would be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him and ran away.

And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd those who had taken Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.

But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

Plain English · paraphraseBut Peter followed him from a distance to the high priest’s house. He went inside and sat with the servants to see what would happen.

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Plain English · paraphraseNow the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council were looking for false witnesses against Jesus so they could put him to death.

But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

Plain English · paraphraseBut they found no one. Even though many false witnesses came, they found no one. In the end, two false witnesses came,

And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the high priest stood up and said to him, "Do you not answer? What do these accuse you of?"

But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven."

Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy. What more need do we have for witnesses? Now you have heard his blasphemy."

What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

Plain English · paraphraseWhat do you think? They answered, "He deserves to die."

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

Plain English · paraphraseThen they spat in his face and hit him. Others struck him with the palms of their hands.

Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

Plain English · paraphraseSaying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ. Who is the one who hit you?"

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

Plain English · paraphraseBut he denied it in front of them all, saying, "I don't know what you're talking about."

And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he went out to the porch, another girl saw him and told the people there, "This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth."

And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

Plain English · paraphraseAfter some time, those who were nearby came to Peter and said, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech gives you away."

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Plain English · paraphraseThen he began to curse and swear, saying, "I don't know that man." Right away, the rooster crowed.

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who had said to him, Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly.

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

Plain English · paraphraseWhen morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people made plans to kill Jesus.

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

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they had tied him up, they led him away and handed him over to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Then 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,

Plain English · paraphraseThen Judas, who had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, felt regret and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

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

Plain English · paraphraseSaying, I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? You take care of it.

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

Plain English · paraphraseHe threw the silver coins into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

And 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.

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

Plain English · paraphraseThey made a plan and used the money to buy the potter’s field, where they would bury foreigners.

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

Then 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;

Plain English · paraphraseThen what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one they valued, whom the people of Israel valued."

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

And 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.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus stood in front of the governor. The governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said to him, "You say so."

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

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

Plain English · paraphraseThen Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear how many things they are accusing you of?"

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

Plain English · paraphraseHe did not answer him at all. This surprised the governor very much.

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

And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they had then a famous prisoner named Barabbas.

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

Plain English · paraphraseSo when they were all gathered, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

Plain English · paraphraseHe knew they had handed him over out of envy.

When 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.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen he sat down on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just man. I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him."

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

Plain English · paraphraseBut the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus destroyed.

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

Plain English · paraphraseThe governor answered and said to them, "Which one of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas."

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

Plain English · paraphrasePilate said to them, "What then should I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Crucify him."

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

When 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.

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

Plain English · paraphraseThen all the people answered, "His blood be on us, and on our children."

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

Plain English · paraphraseThen he released Barabbas to them. After he had whipped Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

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

Plain English · paraphraseThen the governor's soldiers took Jesus to the common hall and gathered the whole group of soldiers around him.

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

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they took off his clothes and dressed him in a red robe.

And 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!

Plain English · paraphraseThey made a crown of thorns and placed it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand. They knelt before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

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

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they spat on him, and took the reed, and hit him on the head.

And 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.

Plain English · paraphraseAfter that, they mocked him. They took off his robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

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

Plain English · paraphraseAnd as they came out, they found a man from Cyrene, named Simon. They forced him to carry his cross.

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

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means a place of a skull,

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

And 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.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they crucified him, and divided his clothes, casting lots. This was to fulfill what the prophet said: "They divided my clothes among them, and for my robe they cast lots."

And sitting down they watched him there;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they sat down and watched him there;

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

Plain English · paraphraseAnd they put over his head a written sign that said, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."

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

Plain English · paraphraseThen two thieves were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left.

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

Plain English · paraphraseAnd those who passed by insulted him, shaking their heads.

And 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.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd 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."

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

Plain English · paraphraseLikewise, the chief priests mocked him, along with the scribes and elders. They said,

He 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.

Plain English · paraphraseHe saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.

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

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

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

Plain English · paraphraseFrom the sixth hour, darkness covered the whole land until the ninth hour.

And 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?

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

Plain English · paraphraseSome of the people standing there, when they heard this, said, "This man is asking for Elijah."

And 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.

Plain English · paraphraseAt once, one of them ran, got a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink.

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

Plain English · paraphraseThe rest said, "Let it be, let's see if Elijah will come to save him."

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

Plain English · paraphraseJesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.

And, 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;

Plain English · paraphraseAnd look, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks split.

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

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the graves were opened. Many bodies of the saints who had slept arose.

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

Now 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.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen the centurion and his men who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and what happened, they were very afraid. They said, "Truly, this was the Son of God."

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

Plain English · paraphraseAnd many women were there watching from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.

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

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

Plain English · paraphraseWhen evening came, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph came. He was also a disciple of Jesus.

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

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

And 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.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd placed it in his own new tomb, which he had carved out of the rock. He rolled a large stone to the entrance of the tomb and left.

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

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

Plain English · paraphraseNow the next day, which came after the day of preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate.

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

Command 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.

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

Plain English · paraphrasePilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can."

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

Plain English · paraphraseSo they went and secured the tomb, sealed the stone, and posted a guard.

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Plain English · paraphraseAt the end of the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was beginning to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd suddenly there was a big earthquake. The angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled the stone away from the door. He sat on it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

Plain English · paraphraseHis face was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow:

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd because of him, the guards shook with fear and became like dead men.