Matthew 27:3–32
3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he felt remorse and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and presbyters, 4saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”
But they answered, “What is that to us? You see to it.”
5He threw the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed. He then went away and hanged himself. 6The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury since it is the price of blood.” 7They took counsel and bought the potter’s field with the money, [as a place] to bury strangers. 8Therefore, that field was called “The Field of Blood” even to this day. 9Thus, what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
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,
and they gave them for the potter’s field,
as the Lord commanded me
11Now, Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “And so, you say.”
12But when he was accused by the chief priests and the presbyters, he answered nothing. 13Pilate then said to him, “Do you not hear how many charges they present against you?”
14Jesus gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor was astonished. 15Now, on the [occasion of the] feast, the governor had the custom to release one prisoner to the crowd, whoever they desired. 16At that time, they had a notable prisoner called Barabbas. 17When they were gathered, Pilate asked them, “Who do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?” 18For he perceived that it was because of envy that they had arrested him.
19While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a note to him that said, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man! Today, I have suffered many things in a dream because of him.” 20Now, the chief priests and the presbyters convinced the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus done away with. 21But the governor asked them, “Which one of the two do you want me to release to you?”
They said, “Barabbas!”
22Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all replied, “Let him be crucified!”
23The governor asked, “Why? What evil has he done?”
But they cried out loudly, saying, “Let him be crucified!”
24And so, when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man. You see to it.”
25All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!”
26At this, Pilate released Barabbas to them but had Jesus flogged and delivered to be crucified.
27Then, the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the praetorium and gathered the whole garrison against him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29They made a crown of thorns and placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. They knelt down before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30They also spat on him, took the reed and struck him on the head. 31When they had mocked him, they removed the robe from him, put his [own] clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.
32As they were coming out, the soldiers found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them and to carry the cross.
You will hear this Gospel read at The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church during Holy Week, on Great and Holy Thursday. It is followed by the Gospel reading from Mark 15:16-32.
Details
The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church, located in Clayton, Melbourne, is a living witness to the power of the Gospel and the fullness of the Christian Faith in modern, secular Australia.
About us. We are a vibrant Australian Christian community under the direction of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand & the Philippines, which is under the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. The Church of Antioch is the continuation of the Christian community founded in Antioch by the Apostles Peter (who served as its first bishop) and Paul. The Patriarchate of Antioch is the oldest of the ancient Patriarchates constituting the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.
All services are in the English language and the Service of Holy Thursday is held in the Main Chapel of the Religious Centre at Monash University, Clayton Campus, conveniently located in the centre of Melbourne’s residential population.
Parking in the University car parks is free after 7:00 pm, but please take note of all signs regarding Loading Zones, No Standing and Disabled Parking, these restrictions apply and are enforced.