J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
St. John Passion

ENGLISH TEXT
[Translation following Arthur Mendel and Henry S. Drinker.]

 
CHORUS 
 

 
 
 

ST. JOHN 18 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CHORALE 
 
 
 

ST. JOHN 18 
 
 
 
 

CHORALE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ST. JOHN 18 
 
 
 
 

ARIA  
 
 
 
 
 

ST. JOHN 18  

ARIA 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ST. JOHN 18 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CHORALE 
 
 
 
 
 

ST. JOHN 18 
 
 
 
 
  

ST. MATTHEW 26 
 

ARIA 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CHORALE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CHORALE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ST. JOHN 18 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CHORALE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ST. JOHN 18 
 
 
 
 
 
  

ST. JOHN 19 

ARIOSO 

ST. JOHN 19 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARIA 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ST. JOHN 19 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

CHORALE 
 
 
 
 
 

ST. JOHN 19 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

ST. JOHN 19 
 
 
 
 
  

ARIA 
 
 
 
 
  

ST. JOHN 19 

ARIA 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

ST. MATTHEW 27 
 
  

ARIA 
 
 
 
  

ST. JOHN 19 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

CHORALE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

ARIOSO 
 
 
 
 
 
  

ARIA 
 
 
  

ST. JOHN 19
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CHORALE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ST. JOHN 19 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CHORUS 
 
 
 
 
  

CHORALE

Lord, Thou our Master, Thou whose name 
in all the earth is glorious,  
Show us through Thy Passion  
that Thou, the true Son of God,  
forever, even in the darkest hour,  
will rise victorious. 

1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook, Kidron, where was a garden, into which he entered, and his disciples. 
2. And Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place; for Jesus often resorted there with his disciples. 
3. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 
4. Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 
5. They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them. 
6. As soon, then, as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 
7. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 
8. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he; if, therefore, ye seek me, let these go their way. 

O wondrous Love, O Love all love excelling, 
Which bade Thee make this vale of tears Thy dwelling, 
I live on earth and earthly pleasures cherish, 
And Thou must perish. 

9. That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Of them whom thou gavest me have I lost none. 
10. Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 
11. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath; the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? 

Thy will, O Lord our God, be done 
On earth as round Thy heavenly throne. 
Thy patience, Lord, on us bestow. 
That we obey in weal and woe. 
Stay Thou the hand and spoil the skill 
0f them that work against Thy will. 

12. Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 
13. And led him away to Annas first; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the high priest that same year. 
14. Now Caiaphas was he who gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man die for the people. 

From the bondage of my transgression  
to unbind me 
is my holy Saviour bound.  
From my aching wounds  
fully to heal me,  
is He himself wounded. 

15. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. 

I follow Thee also, with joy-lightened footsteps,  
and will not forsake Thee,  
my Life and my Light. 
O, let me not stray  
from Thy way,  
And forget not  
to call on me, to spur me. 

15. That disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the court of the high priest. 
16. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then went out that other disciple, who was known unto the high priest, and spoke unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. 
17. Then saith the maid that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. 
18. 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.  
19. The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 
20. Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I even taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 
21. Why asketh thou me? Ask them who heard me, what I said. 
22. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? 
23. Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest thou me? 

Who was it dared to smite Thee, 
Thy good with ill requite Thee, 
So foully treated Thee? 
For Thou are no offender, 
Nor didst to sin surrender, 
From evildoing Thou art free. 

24. Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas, the high priest. 
25. 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. 
26. 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? 
27. Peter then denied again; and immediately the cock crew. 

75. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus [who said unto him, Before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice.] And he went out, and wept bitterly. 

Ah, my soul  
whither wilt thou fly?  
Where shall I seek for comfort? Shall I stay?  
Or depart and leave 
the hills and mountains far behind me?  
In the world is no relief,  
on my heart 
remains the burden of my evil deed,  
since the servant bath denied his lord. 

Peter, while his conscience slept, 
Thrice denied his Saviour, 
When it woke he bitter wept 
At his base behavior. 
Jesus, let me not forget; 
True devotion teach me; 
When on evil I am set, 
Through my conscience reach me. 
 

Christ, through whom we all are blest, 
Knew no evildoing. 
Him at night did they arrest, 
Like a thief pursuing, 
Led before the godless throng 
And falsely convicted, 
Laughed at, scoffed at, spat upon, 
As the Word predicted. 

28. Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgement; and it was early. And they themselves went not into the judgement hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 
29. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 
30. They answered, and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 
31. Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews, therefore, said unto hlm, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. 
32. That the saying of Jesus might be fufilled, which he spoke, signifying what death he should die. 
33. Then Pilate entered into the judgement hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 
34. Jesus answered hlm, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 
35. Pilate answered, Arn I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me. What hast Thou done? 
36. 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 here. 

O mighty King, almighty through all ages, 
How shall I fitly strive to sing Thy praises? 
No mortal heart can ever hope to show Thee 
What it doth owe Thee. 
My feeble tongue no counterpart can fashion 
With which it might compare Thy great compassion. 
How can I thank for Thy good deeds, so tender, 
In works e'er render? 

37. Pilate, therefore, said unto him, Art thou a king, then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I arn 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. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice. 
38. Pilate said 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 ail. 
39. 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? 

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

1. Then Pilate, therefore, took Jesus, and scourged hlm. 

Consider, o my soul, with fearful joy consider,  
with bitter anguish in thy heart afflicted,  
thy highest good is Jesus' sorrow.  
For thee, from the thorns that pierce Him,  
what heavenly flowers spring,  
thou canst the sweetest fruit from His wormwood gather,  
then look forevermore to Him. 

Behold, then, how each livid stripe succeeding, 
all sure and bleeding,  
is a part of Heaven. 
And see, the waves of sin subsiding,  
sunbeams again dark clouds dividing,  
the rainbow fair: 
God's bright token of grace. 

2. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on hirn a purple robe, 
3. And said, Hail, King of the Jews! And they srnote him with their hands. 
4. 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 hlm. 
5. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! 
6. 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. 
7. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. 
8. When Pilate, therefore, heard that saying, he was the more afraid; 
9. And went again into the judgement hall, and saith unto Jesus, From where art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 
10. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakeat thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 
11. Jesus answered, Thou couldst 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. 
12. And from then on Pilate sought to release hlm. 

Our freedom, Son of God arose 
When Thou wast cast in prison; 
And from the durance Thou didst choose 
Our liberty is risen, 
Didst Thou not choose a slave to be, 
We all were slaves eternally. 

12. 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. 
13. When Pilate, therefore, heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgement seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. 
14. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour; and he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King!  
15. But they cried out, Away with him, away with hlm, crucify him! Pilate salth unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 
16. Then delivered he him, therefore, unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.  
17. And he, bearing his cross, went forth into a place called The Place of Skulls, which is called in the Hebrew, Golgotha. 

27. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 
28. After this Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 
29. Now there was set a veseel full of vinegar; and they fillled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 
30. When Jesus, therefore, had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished. 

It is finished. 
O rest for all afflicted spirit.  
This night of woe  
makes me upon my last hour ponder.  
See Judah's hero triumphs now,  
and ends the fight. It is finished. 

30. And he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.  

Beloved Saviour, wilt Thou answer,  
as Thou hast now the cross endured,  
and Thyself hast said: It is finished.  
Am I from death delivered?  
Can I, through Thy eternal merkit,  
the heavenly realm inherit?  
Shall all the world redemption see?  
Thou canst for anguish now say nothing,  
yet Thou dost bow Thy head  
and say, in silence: yea. 

[Chorus:] Jesus, Thou who once wast dead, 
Livest now forever. 
When the path of death I tread, 
Let my seeeking never 
Elsewhere than to Thee be turned, 
O beloved Saviour. 
Give me but what Thou hast earned, 
More I do not pray for.  

51. 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. 
52. And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints that slept arose. 

Haste, ye deeply wounded spirits, 
come and bring your heavy burdens. 
Haste. [Chorus:] Where? 
To the cross of Jesus; 
Find relief and healing there. 

18. Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.  
19. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS, OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 
20. This title then was read by many of the Jews; for the place where Jesus was crucified was near to the city, and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 
21. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews, but, He said, I am King of the Jews. 
22. Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written. 
23. 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. 
24. 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 garments among them, and for my clothing they did cast lots. These things, therefore, the soldiers did. 
25. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 
26. When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 
27. Then saith he unto the disciple, Behold thy mother! 

He of everything took heed 
In his hour of dying, 
Caring for his mother's need, 
On his friend relying. 
O Man, lead a righteous life, 
Love God and they neighbor, 
Death will bring an end to strife, 
Rest from care and labor. 

My heart, behold how all the world  
at Jesus' sufferings likewise suffers;  
the sun his beams in sorrow shrouds,  
the veil divides, the rocks are rent,  
the earth doth quake, the graves are opened,  
while they the Creator die; 
and as for thee, what wilt thou do? 

Dissolve, o my heart, into torrents of weeping,  
the Highest to honor. 
Proclaim to the world and to Heaven thy affliction,  
thy Jesus is dead. 

31. The Jews, therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should 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. 
32. Then came the soldiers, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him. 
33. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs; 
34. But one of the soldiers, with a spear, pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.  
35. And he that saw it bore record, and his record is true; and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 
36. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 
37. And, again, another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. 

Help, O Jesus, God's own Son, 
Through thy bitter anguish, 
That the favor Thou hast won 
Evil deeds may vanquish. 
How and why our Saviour died 
We must ponder truly, 
And, though weak, leave naught untried, 
Lord, to thank Thee duly. 

38. 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.  
39. And there came also Nicodemus, who at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 
40. 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. 
41. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher was nigh at hand. 

Rest here in peace, Redeemer blest and holy,  
henceforth no more will I bewail Thee,  
rest here in peace, and lead Thou me to peace;  
the grave will not forever close me in,  
but when God my Redeemer calls, then haste I forth,  
then haste I glorified the God of Heaven to meet. 

O Lord, Thy little angel send, 
Whene'er my mortal life shall end, 
To bear my soul to Heaven. 
My body in its chamber sleep, 
All torment do Thou distant keep, 
Till Thy last call be given. 
And then from death awaken me, 
That these poor eyes their Lord may see, 
See, Son of God, Thy glorious face, 
My Saviour and my fount of grace. 
Lord Jesus Christ, O hear Thou me, 
Thee will I praise eternally.