BWV 244 Matthäus-Passion (Passio Domini nostri J. C. secundum Evangelistam Matthaeum) Good Friday (Vespers). Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander), Ernst-Schertzhaffte und Satyrische Gedichte, Teil II (Leipzig, 1729, 2nd ed., 1734); Facs: Neumann T, p. 321; Borrowings: Movements 13 (19), 19(25), 39(47), 49(58), 68(78) from Picander's Erbauliche Gedancken auf den Grünen Donnerstag und Charfreytag (Leipzig, 1725); Movements 64(74) and 5(9) from Salomo Franck, Geist- und Weltliche Poesien (Jena, 1711 and 1716); Movement 27b(33) from Barthold Heinrich Brockes, Der für die Sünde der Welt Gemarterte und Sterbende Jesus, aus den IV Evangelisten (Hamburg, 1712 and 1715). Chorales: 1. Interpolation of the Nikolaus Decius' German "Agnus Dei," before 1529 (Wackernagel, III, #619f.); 3. Johann Heermann, verse 1 of this hymn, 1630 (Fischer-Tümpel, I, #334); 10. (16.) Paul Gerhardt, verse 5 of "O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben," 1647 (Fischer-Tümpel, III, #387); 15.(21.) Paul Gerhardt, verse 5 of "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden," 1656 (Fischer-Tümpel, III, #467); 17.(23.) Paul Gerhardt, verse 6 of "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden," 1656 (ibid.); 19.(25.) Interpolation of Johann Heermann, verse 3 of "Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen," 1630 (Fischer- Tümpel, I, #334); 25.(31.) Margrave Albrecht von Brandenburg, verse 1 of this hymn, 1547 (Wackernagel, I, #683); 29.(35.) Sebald Heyden, verse 1 of this hymn, 1525 (Wackernagel, III, #603); 32.(38.) Adam Reusner, verse 5 of "In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr," 1533 (Wackernagel, I, #286); 37.(44). Paul Gerhardt, verse 3 of "O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben," 1647 (Fischer-Tümpel, III, #387); 40.(48.) Johann Rist, verse 6 of "Werde munter, mein Gemüte," 1642 (Fischer-Tümpel, II, #199); 44.(53.) Paul Gerhardt, verse 1 of this hymn, 1653 (Fischer-Tümpel, I, #435); 46.(55.) Johann Heermann, verse 4 of "Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen," 1630 (Fischer-Tümpel, I, #334); 54.(63.) Paul Gerhardt, verses 1 and 2 of this hymn, 1656 (Fischer-Tümpel, III, #467); 62.(72.) Paul Gerhardt, verse 9 of "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden," 1656 (ibid.). Biblical Text: Mt. 26-27; S. of S. 6:1, Movement 30(36). 15 April 1729, Leipzig; Parody: 6(10), 8(12) → BWV 244a/3, 5; 13(19), 20(26), 23(29) → BWV 244a/22, 19, 17; 39(47), 49(58), 57(66), 65(75), 68(78) → BWV 244a/10, 12, 15, 20, 24. 17, 19, 20, 22, 24. BG 4; NBA II/5. The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Matthew the Evangelist First Part The Daughter of Zion (Chorus I: S, A, T, B), The Faithful (Chorus II: S, A, T, B), Evangelist (T), Jesus (B), Judas (B), Peter (B), Two Witnesses (A, T), Chief Priest (B), First Maid (S), Second Maid (S),
Pilate (B), Pilate's
Wife (S)
1. Chorus(1) (Chorus I, II) Daughter of Zion, The Faithful and Chorale (S) (Zion) Come, ye daughters, share my mourning,
Upon the cross's branch slaughtered, See ye, --- what? --- see him forbear, Alway displayed in thy patience, How greatly wast thou despiséd. Look --- where, then? --- upon our guilt; All sin hast thou borne for us, Else we had lost all courage. See how he with love and grace Wood as cross himself now beareth! Have mercy on us, O Jesus! 2. Evangelist, Jesus (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Jesus) Ye know well that in two days will be
3. Chorale (Chorus I and II) O dearest Jesus, how hast thou offended,
4a.(4.) Evangelist (I: T) There assembled themselves the high priests and the scribes
together,
and the elders of the people within the palace of the chief
priest,
whose name was Caiphas; and there took counsel, how with stealth
they might capture Jesus and put him to death. They said however:
4b.(5.) Chorus I, II Not upon the feast, lest there be an uproar in the people.
4c.(6.) Evangelist (I: T) When now Jesus visited Bethany and was in the house of the leper
called
Simon, unto him came a woman who carried a jar of precious
ointment
and poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when his
disciples
saw it, they became indignant and said:
4d.(7.) Chorus I What end serveth all this nonsense? For this ointment might
indeed
have been sold for much, and the sum to the poor been given.
4e.(8.) Evangelist, Jesus (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Jesus)
5.(9.) Recit. (I: A) Belove'd Savior thou,
6.(10.) Aria (I: A) Guilt and pain
A most soothing precious balm, Faithful Jesus, thee doth offer. 7.(11.) Evangelist, Judas (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Judas)
(Evangelist)
8.(12.) Aria (II: S) Bleed alway, O thou my heart!
Which at thine own breast hath suckled, Bodes his keeper now to murder, For it hath become a serpent.(2) 9a.(13.) Evangelist (I: T) But on the first day of Unleavened Bread came the disciples to Jesus and said unto him: 9b.(14.) Chorus I What place wouldst thou have us prepare thee, the paschal lamb to
eat
now?
9c.(15.) Evangelist, Jesus (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
(Jesus)
9d. Evangelist (I: T) And they were then very sad and they began, each one of them in
turn,
to say unto him:
9e. Chorus I Lord, is it I?
10.(16.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) 'Tis I, I must be sorry,
11.(17.) Evangelist, Jesus, Judas (I: T, B, B,) (Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
(Judas)
(Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
Drink, all of you, from this; this is my Blood of the New
Testament,
which hath been poured out here for many in remission of their
sins.
I say to you: I shall from this moment forth no more drink from
this
the fruit of the grapevine until the day
12.(18.) Recit. (I: S) In truth my heart in tears doth swim,
13.(19.) Aria (I: S) I will thee my heart now offer,
14.(20.) Evangelist, Jesus (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Jesus)
15.(21.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) Acknowledge me, my keeper,
16.(22.) Evangelist, Peter, Jesus (I: T, B, B) (Evangelist)
(Peter)
(Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Pilate)
(Peter)
(Evangelist)
17.(23.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) I will here by thee stand now;
18.(24.) Evangelist, Jesus (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
(Jesus)
19.(25.) Recit. (I: T) Zion and Chorale (Chorus II) The Faithful O pain!
20.(26.) Aria (I: T, Chorus II) Zion, The Faithful (Zion)
(Faithful)
(Zion)
(Faithful)
21.(27.) Evangelist, Jesus (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Jesus)
22.(28.) Recit. (II: B) The Savior falls before his Father prostrate;
23.(29.) Aria (II: B) Gladly would I be most willing
24.(30.) Evangelist, Jesus (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
(Jesus)
25.(31.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) What my God will, be done alway,
26.(32.) Evangelist, Jesus, Judas (I: T, B, B) (Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
(Judas)
(Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
27a.(33.) Aria (I: S, A; Chorus II) Zion, The Faithful (I: S, A)
(Chorus II, et sim.)
27b. Chorus I, II Hath lightning, hath thunder in clouds fully vanished?
28.(34.) Evangelist, Jesus (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
29.(35.) Chorus [Chorale] (Chorus I and II) O man, bewail thy sins so great,
Second Part 30.(36.) Aria (Chorus I, II) Zion, The Faithful (Zion)
(Faithful)
31.(37.) Evangelist (I: T) But those, however, who had seized Jesus led him away to the
chief priest,
who was Caiphas, there where the learned scribes and the elders
already
had assembled. Peter, though, had followed him from a distance
up to the palace of the chief priest and went inside and sat
himself near the servants, that he might see what the outcome
would
be. The chief priests, though, and also the elders and the
whole assembly sought untrue witness against Jesus in order to
kill him,
and they did find none.
32.(38.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) The world hath judged me with deceit,
33.(39.) Evangelist, Two Witnesses (I: T; II: A, T) And although there came there many false witnesses, they still did find none. At last entered therein two false informants and said: (Witnesses)
(Evangelist)
(Chief Priest)
(Evangelist)
34.(40.) Recit. (II: T) My Jesus keeps
35.(41.) Aria (II: T) Forbear,
Though I suffer, innocent, Mocking scorn, Ah, then may the Lord above Give my guiltless heart its vengeance. 36a.(42.) Evangelist, Chief Priest, Jesus (I: T, B, B) (Evangelist)
(Chief Priest)
(Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
(Chief Priest)
(Evangelist)
36b. The Council (Chorus I, II) He is of death deserving!
36c.(43.) Evangelist (I: T) Then did they spit upon his countenance and struck him with their
fists.
Some, though, there were who struck him upon his face and said:
36d. The Council (Chorus I, II) Foretell it us, Christ Lord, tell us who struck thee!
37.(44.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) Who hath thee thus so smitten,
38a.(45.) Evangelist, First Maid, Second Maid, Peter (I: T, S, S, B) (Evangelist)
(First Maid)
(Evangelist) But he then denied this before them all and said: (Peter)
(Evangelist)
(Second Maid)
(Evangelist)
(Peter)
(Evangelist)
38b.(46.) Bystanders (Chorus II) Truly, thou art one of those men also; for thine own speech doth
betray thee.
38c. Evangelist (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Peter)
(Evangelist)
39.(47.) Aria (I: A) Have mercy Lord,
Look thou here, Heart and eyes now weep for thee Bitterly. 40.(48.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) Though I now have thee forsaken,
41a.(49.) Evangelist, Judas (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Judas)
(Evangelist)
41b. Chief Priests and Elders (Chorus I, II) How doth that us concern? See to it thyself!
41c.(50.) Evangelist, Chief Priests (I: T, B, B) (Evangelist)
(Chief Priests)
42.(51.) Aria (II: B) Give back this my Jesus to me!
Thrown by this the fallen son At your feet before you! 43.(52.) Evangelist, Pilate, Jesus (I: T, B, B) (Evangelist)
(Pilate)
(Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist)
(Pilate)
(Evangelist)
44.(53.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) Commend thou all thy pathways
45a.(54.) Evangelist, Pilate, Pilate's Wife, Crowd (I: T, B, S; Chorus I, II) (Evangelist)
(Pilate)
(Evangelist)
(Pilate's Wife)
(Evangelist)
(Pilate)
(Evangelist)
(Crowd)
(Evangelist)
(Pilate)
(Evangelist)
45b. Crowd (Chorus I, II) Have him crucified!
46.(55.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) How awe-inspiring is indeed this sentence!
47.(56.) Evangelist, Pilate (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Pilate)
48.(57.) Recit. (I: S) He hath us all so richly blessed,
49.(58.) Aria (I: S) For love now,
50a.(59.) Evangelist (I: T) They cried again even more and said:
50b. Crowd (Chorus I, II) Have him crucified!
50c. Evangelist, Pilate (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Pilate) I am not guilty for the blood of this just person, see ye to it. (Evangelist) Thereupon answered all the people and said:
50d. Crowd (Chorus I, II) His blood come upon us then and on our children.
50e. Evangelist (I: T) To them he then set Barabbas free; but he had Jesus scourged and
then delivered him up, that he might be crucifiéd.
51.(60.) Recit. (II: A) Have mercy, God!
52.(61.) Aria (II: A) If the tears upon my cheeks can
Of the wounds abundant bleeding Be the sacrificial cup! 53a.(62.) Evangelist (I: T) And then did the governor's soldiers take Jesus into the
praetorium
and gathered before him there all the troops, and they did strip
him and
put upon him a purple robe and plaited a crown of thorns and set
it upon
his head, and a reed in his right hand and then they bent their
knees before
him, both mocking him and saying:
53b. Soldiers (Chorus I, II) All hail now to thee, King of the Jews!
53c. Evangelist (I: T) And spat upon his face and, taking the reed, they struck him upon
his
head.
54.(63.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) O head of blood and wounding,
55.(64.) Evangelist (I: T) And after they had mocked and scorned him, they removed the robe
from
him and put his own raiment upon him and led him away, that they
might
crucify him. And after they went out, they found a man who came
from
Cyrene, whose name was Simon; and they compelled him to bear his
cross.
56.(65.) Recit. (I: B) Yea truly, would in us our flesh and blood
57.(66.) Aria (I: B) Come, O sweet cross, thus I'll confess it:
Then thou thyself dost help me bear it. 58a.(67.) Evangelist (I: T) And when they came unto a place with the name of Golgotha, which
is
to say, the place of a skull, they did give him vinegar to drink
which
had been mixed with gall; and when he tasted it, he refused to
drink
it. But after they had crucified him, they divided his garments by
casting lots for them, that it might be accomplished what had once
been
said by the prophet: "They have divided all my garments among them
and
over mine own vesture did they cast lots." And they sat all around
and guarded him there. And over his head they fastened the reason
for his death in writing, namely: "This is Jesus, the King of the
Jews." And with him were two murderers also crucified, one on the
right hand, another on the left. And those who there passed by
derided
him both wagging their heads before him and saying:
58b. Passersby (Chorus I, II) Thou who dost God's own temple destroy and buildest it within three days' time, save thyself now! If thou art God's Son, then climb down from the cross! 58c. Evangelist (I: T) In like wise did also the chief priests ridicule him and together
with
the scribes and elders say:
58d. Chief Priests and Elders (Chorus I, II) Others brought he salvation and can himself yet not save now.
Is he the King of Israel? Let him climb down from the cross and we
will then believe him. In God hath he trusted, let him save him
then
now, if he will, for he hath declared: "I am Son of God."
58e.(68.) Evangelist (I: T) In like wise did the murderers also mock him, who with him had
been
crucified.
59.(69.) Recit. (I: A) Zion Ah Golgotha, unhappy Golgotha!
60.(70.) Aria (I: A; Chorus II) Zion, The Faithful (Zion)
61a.(71.) Evangelist, Jesus (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Jesus)
(Evangelist) That is: "My God, my God, wherefore hast thou me forsaken?
But there were some who stood about there who, when they heard
that, spake
thus:
61b. Bystanders (Chorus I) He calleth to Elias!
61c. Evangelist (I: T) And straightway one of them ran forth, who took a sponge and,
filling
it with vinegar, and placing it upon a reed, gave him to drink.
The
others said, however:
61d. Bystanders (Chorus II) Stop! Let us see if Elias will come forth and save him.
61e. Evangelist (I: T) But Jesus cried again aloud and was dead.
62.(72.) Chorale (Chorus I and II) When I one day must leave here,
63a.(73.) Evangelist (I: T) And lo, behold: the curtain of the temple was rent in twain from
the top to the bottom. And the earth was filled with quaking, and
the cliffs split asunder, and the graves themselves opened up, and
there
rose up the bodies of many saints who were sleeping, and they came
out
of the graves after his resurrection and came into the holy city
and appeared
to many. But the centurion and those who were with him and were
watching
over Jesus, when they witnessed the earthquake and all that there
occurred,
were sore afraid and said:
63b. Soldiers (Chorus I and II) Truly, this man was God's own Son most truly.
63c. Evangelist (I: T) And there were many women there, who looked on from a distance,
having
followed after him from Galilee and ministered unto him, in whose
number
was Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, and
the mother
of the children of Zebedee. At evening, though, there came a
wealthy
man of Arimathea, whose name was Joseph, who was also a disciple
of Jesus,
who went to Pilate and asked him for the body of Jesus. Then
Pilate
ordered that it be given to him.
64.(74.) Recit. (I: B) At eventide, when it was cool,
65.(75.) Aria (I: B) Make thyself, my heart, now pure,
More and more Find in sweet repose his dwelling. World, depart, let Jesus in! 66a.(76.) Evangelist (I: T) And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a pure shroud of linen
and
laid it in his own new tomb, which he had had hewn within a rock,
and rolled
up a heavy stone in front of the door of this tomb and went away.
In this place was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who sat
themselves
next to the tomb. On the day after, the one after the Preparation,
came the chief priests and the Pharisees together unto Pilate and
said:
66b. Chief Priests and Pharisees (Chorus I, II) Sire, we have taken thought how once this deceiver said when he was still alive: "I will in three days' time again stand here arisen." Therefore, command that now the tomb be guarded until the three days pass, so none of his disciples come forth and steal him hence and to the people say: "He is risen from the dead," for thus will the final deceit be worse than the first one! 66c. Evangelist, Pilate (I: T, B) (Evangelist)
(Pilate)
(Evangelist)
67.(77.) Recit. (I: B, T, A, S; Chorus II) Zion, The Faithful (Zion)
(Faithful)
(Zion)
(Faithful)
(Zion)
(Faithful)
(Zion)
(Faithful)
68.(78.) Chorus(4) (Chorus I, II) Tutti We lay ourselves with weeping prostrate
This your tomb and this tombstone Shall for ev'ry anguished conscience Be a pillow of soft comfort And the spirit's place of rest. Most content, slumber here the eyes in rest. 1. The PT calls this strophe "Aria." The characterization is drawn from the PT and, with slight variation, from the text of Johann Friedrich Agricola (see the facsimile in NBA II/5a). 2. This powerful image reminds one of Clytemnestra's dream in Aeschylus' Choephori: she dreams that her nursing son Orestes becomes a serpent. 3. This reading is that of Luther's Bible. The usual reading of Greek and English versions is "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani." 4. The PT: Aria. Tutti. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |