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Now, as soon as it was morning, the assembly of all the chief priests, scribes and the elders of the people gathered together and they led him away into their council, saying, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you won’t believe… and if I ask, you will in no way answer me (or let me go). From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
They all said, “Are you then the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say it, because I am.” They said, “Why do we need any more witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!” Immediately they held a counsel against and bound and carried Jesus away to put him to death (from Caiaphas into the Praetorium). They led him away and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.
Then Judas, who betrayed him (when he saw that Jesus was condemned) felt remorse and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.” He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed. He went away and hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.” They took counsel and bought the potter’s field with them (to bury strangers in). Therefore, that field was called “The Field of Blood” to this day. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “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.”
It was early, and the whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate. They themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium (that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover). Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered him, “If this man weren’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.” Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” Therefore, the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled which he spoke (signifying by what kind of death he should die). They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting the nation… forbidding paying taxes to Caesar… and saying that he himself is Christ (a king).”
Pilate (the governor) therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered him, “Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight (that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews). But now my Kingdom is not from here.” Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered him, “So you say that I am a king. For this reason – I have been born… and for this reason I have come into the world… that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
He was accused by the chief priests and elders of many things… he answered nothing. Then Pilate again said to him, “Have you no answer? Don’t you hear? See how many things they testify against you!” But Jesus gave him no further answer (not even one word) – so that the governor marveled greatly. But they insisted, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea (beginning from Galilee even to this place).” But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean. When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod (who was also in Jerusalem during those days).
Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad (for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him). He hoped to see some miracle done by him. He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers. The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him… dressing him in luxurious clothing. They sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.
Now, the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner whom they asked of him at the feast. There was one (a notable prisoner) called Barabbas who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city …bound with his fellow insurgents (men who in the insurrection had committed murder). Barabbas was a robber.
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people. When they were gathered together… the multitude crying aloud to ask him to do as he always did for them. Pilate went out again to the Jews and answered them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and behold (having examined him before you) I find no basis for a charge against him concerning those things of which you accuse him. Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him… and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. I will therefore chastise him and release him. But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore, whom do you want me to release to you… Barabbas… or Jesus who is called Christ (the King of the Jews)?” For he perceived that because of envy the chief priests had delivered him up.
While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders stirred up the multitudes. Then they all shouted together that he should release Barabbas to them instead… and destroy Jesus, saying, “Not this man… Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”
Then Pilate again asked them (wanting to release Jesus), “What then should I do to Jesus, who you call Christ… the King of the Jews?” But they all cried out to him again, “Crucify him! Crucify him! …let him be crucified!”
But Pilate said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.” But they were urgent… cried out with loud voices asking that he might be crucified, “Let him be crucified! Crucify him!”
So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting (wishing to please the multitude)… he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.” All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!” Pilate released to them Barabbas (who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder) …he handed over Jesus to their will… decreed that what they asked for should be done. Pilate then took Jesus, and when he had flogged him; He delivered Jesus to be crucified.
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus away within the court (which is the Praetorium) and gathered the whole garrison together against him. They called together the whole cohort.
The soldiers stripped him, and braided thorns into a crown, and put it on his head. They dressed him in a purple scarlet robe… a reed in his right hand… and they began to salute him, bowing their knees down before him (did homage to him and mocked him), saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”. They kept slapping him, struck his head with a reed, and spat on him. They took the purple robe off him and put his own garments on… and led him away to crucify him.
Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you… that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” Jesus therefore came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!” When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against 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 therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid.
He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me… unless it were given to you from above. Therefore, he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”
At this, Pilate was seeking to release him… but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!” When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement” (but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha).” Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover… at about the sixth hour**. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?!?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”
So, then, he delivered him to them to be crucified. They brought him out bearing his cross. When they led him away to crucify him, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene… coming from the country (and they compelled him to go with them) – laid on him the cross… that he might carry his cross after Jesus. A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me… but weep for yourselves (and for your children). For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?” So, they took Jesus, led away and crucified him with two robbers. (There were also others to be put to death.)
When they came to the place that is called “The Place of a Skull” (which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”) – they crucified him there. With him two others (the criminals) on either side. One on the right hand and the other on his left – and Jesus in the middle. The Scripture was fulfilled, which says, “He was numbered with transgressors.” Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
The soldiers also mocked him. Coming to him and offering him sour vinegar wine mixed with myrrh and gall to drink, saying, “If you are the King of the Jews… save yourself!” When he had tasted it, he would not drink.
Pilate set up over his head the accusation against him (the title inscription was written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew)… and put on the cross, “THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Therefore, many of the Jews read this title (for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city). The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘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) they divided his clothing among them and made four parts. Casting lots on them, what each should take… every soldier a part (and also, the coat) . Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. For my cloak they cast lots.” Therefore, the soldiers did these things.
It was the third hour** and they crucified him, and the people sat and stood… watching him there.
One of the criminals who was hanged… insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself (and us)!” But the other answered and rebuking him, “Don’t you even fear God… seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly (for we receive the due reward for our deeds), but this man has done nothing wrong.” He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying, “Ha! 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 rulers with chief priests scoffed and mocking him among themselves (with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders) saying, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the Christ, the King of Israel… now, let him come down from the cross that we may see. If this is the Christ of God, his Chosen One… we will believe in him! He trusts in God …let God deliver him now (if he wants him). For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” The robber crucified with him also insulted him… cast on him the same reproach.
But there were standing by the cross of Jesus: his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Therefore, when Jesus saw his mother (and the disciple whom he loved standing there), he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.
Now from about the sixth hour**, darkness had come over all the land until the ninth hour**. At about the ninth hour** Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” (that is interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Some of them who stood by there (when they heard it) said, “Behold, this man is calling Elijah.” Jesus (seeing that all things were now finished… that the Scripture might be fulfilled) said, “I am thirsty.” Now, a vessel full of vinegar was set there. Immediately one of them ran, took a sponge (filling it full of vinegar), put it on a hyssop reed, held it at his mouth, and gave to him to drink. The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him and take him down.”
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he cried again with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit …it is finished!” Having said this, he bowed his head, yielded up his spirit and he breathed his last.
Behold, the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two (from the top to the bottom). The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised… and coming out of the tombs (after his resurrection) they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.
Therefore the Jews (because it was the Preparation Day… so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath… for that Sabbath was a special one) asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Therefore, the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him… but when they came to Jesus (and saw that he was already dead) they didn’t break his legs. However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Now when the centurion (who stood by opposite him) saw what was done …saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man; Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Those who were with him (watching Jesus), when they saw the earthquake and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe. For these things happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.” Again, another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”
All the multitudes that came together to see this (when they saw the things that were done) returned home beating their breasts. There were also many women there watching from afar who had followed with Jesus… serving him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, Salome, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee… who (when he was in Galilee) followed and served him. All his acquaintances and many others who came up with him to Jerusalem stood at a distance watching these things.
A prominent rich council member (Joseph from Arimathea, a city of the Jews) was also a disciple of Jesus… waiting… looking for God’s Kingdom. This man had not consented to their counsel and deed. After these things (when Preparation Day evening had now come) this man boldly went to Pilate and asked that he might take away Jesus’ body… but secretly for fear of the Jews.
Pilate marveled (if he were already dead), and summoning the centurion asked him whether he had been dead long. When he found out from the centurion, then Pilate granted permission and commanded the body to be given to Joseph.
Joseph came therefore and took away his body. Nicodemus (who at first came to Jesus by night) also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes… about a hundred Roman pounds. So, they bought a clean linen. Taking him down, wound and wrapped Jesus’ body and bound it with the spices… as the custom of the Jews is to bury.
Now, in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden. Because it was the Jew’s Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand), they laid Jesus in his own new tomb… which he had cut out in the stone… in which no man had ever yet been laid. He rolled a great stone against the door of the tomb and departed.
Sabbath was drawing near. Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary (the mother of Joses) followed after… sitting opposite the tomb. The women who had come with him out of Galilee saw where and how he was laid, returned, and prepared spices and ointments.
Source Text Prioritization:
- John 18:28 – 19:42
- Matthew 27:1-61
- Mark 15:1-47
- Luke 22:63 – 23:56a
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