The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Simon Peter followed Jesus, and another disciple followed too. That disciple was known to the high priest and went into the high priest's palace with Jesus.

But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the girl who guarded the door to Peter said, "Aren't you also one of this man's disciples?" He said, "I am not."

And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the servants and officers were there, having made a fire of coals, because it was cold. They warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

Plain English · paraphraseThe high priest then asked Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where the Jews always gather. I have said nothing in secret.”

Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

Plain English · paraphraseWhy do you question me? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. Look, they know what I said.

And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he had said this, one of the guards standing nearby struck Jesus across the face, saying, "Are you answering the high priest like that?"

Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, give witness to the evil. But if I have spoken well, why do you hit me?"

Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.

One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

Plain English · paraphraseOne of the high priest's servants, the relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Didn't I see you in the garden with him?"

Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

Plain English · paraphrasePeter denied it again. Right away, the rooster crowed.

Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

Plain English · paraphrasePilate went out to them and asked, "What charges do you bring against this man?"

They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

Plain English · paraphraseThey answered and said to him, "If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you."

Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

Plain English · paraphraseSo that the words of Jesus would be fulfilled, which he had spoken, explaining what kind of death he would die.

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

Plain English · paraphraseThen Pilate went back into the judgment hall and called for Jesus. He said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"

Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered him, Are you saying this on your own, or did someone else tell you about me?

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

Plain English · paraphrasePilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?"

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, then my servants would fight, so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here."

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Plain English · paraphrasePilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. I was born for this reason, and I came into the world for this purpose: to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice."

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

Plain English · paraphrasePilate said to him, "What is truth?" After saying this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no fault in him at all."

But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

Plain English · paraphraseBut you have a custom that I should release one person for you at the Passover. So should I release to you the King of the Jews?

Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

Plain English · paraphrasePilate went out again and said to them, "Here, I bring him out to you so you can know that I find no fault in him."

Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

Plain English · paraphraseThen Jesus came out, wearing a crown of thorns and a purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

Plain English · paraphraseWhen the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him and crucify him. I find no fault in him."

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Pilate heard that statement, he became even more afraid.

And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he went back into the courtroom and said to Jesus, "Where are you from?" But Jesus did not answer him.

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

Plain English · paraphraseThen Pilate said to him, "Are you not speaking to me? Don't you know that I have the power to crucify you and the power to release you?"

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus answered, "You have no power against me at all unless it is given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin."

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd from that time Pilate wanted to release him. But the Jews shouted, saying, "If you let this man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Anyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar."

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

Plain English · paraphraseIt was the day before Passover, around noon. He said to the Jews, "Here is your king!"

But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

Plain English · paraphraseSo he handed him over to be crucified. They took Jesus and led him away.

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he, carrying his cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.

Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

Plain English · paraphraseThey crucified him and two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the middle.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews'; but write that he said, 'I am King of the Jews.'"

Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Plain English · paraphraseThey said to each other, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see whose it will be." This was so the scripture might be fulfilled, which says, "They divided my clothes among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." So these things the soldiers did.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Plain English · paraphraseWhen Jesus saw his mother and the disciple standing nearby, the one he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son!"

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Plain English · paraphraseThen he said to the disciple, "Look, here is your mother!" From that hour, the disciple took her into his own home.

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Plain English · paraphraseAfter this, Jesus, knowing that everything was now finished, said, "I am thirsty," so that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

Plain English · paraphraseNow there was a vessel filled with vinegar. They soaked a sponge in the vinegar, placed it on a branch of hyssop, and held it to his mouth.

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and the other who was crucified with him.

But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

Plain English · paraphraseBut when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

Plain English · paraphraseBut one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.

And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

Plain English · paraphraseThese things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "A bone of him shall not be broken."

And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Plain English · paraphraseAnother scripture says, "They will look at the one they pierced."

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

Plain English · paraphraseAfter this, Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a disciple of Jesus but had been keeping it secret out of fear of the Jews, asked Pilate if he could take Jesus' body. Pilate gave him permission. So Joseph came and took Jesus' body.

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Nicodemus also came, the one who had first come to Jesus at night. He brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds in weight.

Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Plain English · paraphraseThen they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen clothes with the spices, as the Jews' custom is for burial.

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

Plain English · paraphraseThey crucified him in a garden. There was a new tomb there, and no one had ever been placed in it.

There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Plain English · paraphraseThey laid Jesus there because the Jewish preparation day was near. The tomb was close by.

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

Plain English · paraphraseOn the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came early while it was still dark to the tomb. She saw the stone rolled away from the tomb.

Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Plain English · paraphraseThen she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him."

Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

Plain English · paraphrasePeter went out, and the other disciple went with him, and they came to the tomb.

So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

Plain English · paraphraseSo they both ran. The other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first.

And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd he bent down and looked in. He saw the linen clothes lying there, but he did not go in.

Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

Plain English · paraphraseThen Simon Peter followed him and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there.

And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd the cloth that was around his head was not with the linen clothes, but was wrapped separately in its own place.

Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

Plain English · paraphraseThen the other disciple, who had arrived at the tomb first, went in also. He saw and believed.

For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Plain English · paraphraseThey did not yet know the scripture that said he must rise again from the dead.

Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.

And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not recognize that it was Jesus.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to her, "Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?" She thought he was the gardener and said to him, "Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him."

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and said, "Rabboni," which means "Teacher."

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to her, "Do not touch me, for I have not yet gone to my Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, I go to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God."

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Plain English · paraphraseThen, the same day at evening, which was the first day of the week, when the doors were locked where the disciples had gathered because of fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle and said to them, "Peace be to you."

And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. Just as my Father sent me, I now send you."

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Ghost.

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Plain English · paraphraseIf you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you keep their sins, they are kept.

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Plain English · paraphraseThe other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands, and put my finger into the nail marks, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

Plain English · paraphraseThen, eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though the doors were locked, and stood among them. He said, "Peace be with you."

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Plain English · paraphraseThen he says to Thomas, "Put your finger here and look at my hands. Put your hand here and put it into my side. Don't be without faith, but believe."

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Plain English · paraphraseJesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

Plain English · paraphraseAnd Jesus did many other signs in front of his disciples that are not written in this book.

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Plain English · paraphraseBut these are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you will have life through his name.

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

Plain English · paraphraseAfter these things, Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He showed himself in this way.