CHAPTER 23
And
they began
to accuse
Him,
saying,
“We found
this man
subverting
our
nation,
forbidding
payment of taxes
to Caesar,
and
proclaiming
Himself
to be
Christ,
a king.”
Then
Pilate
said
to
the
chief priests
and
the
crowds,
“I find
no
basis for a charge
against
this
man.”
But
they kept insisting,
“He stirs up
the
people
all
over
Judea
with His teaching.
He began
in
Galilee
and has come all the way
here.”
And
learning
that
Jesus was
under
Herod’s
jurisdiction,
he sent Him
to
Herod,
who himself
was
in
Jerusalem
at
that
time.
When
Herod
saw
Jesus,
he was
greatly
pleased.
He had wanted
to see
Him
for
a long
time,
because
he had heard
about
Him
and
was hoping
to see
Him
perform
a
miracle.
And
even
Herod
and
his
soldiers
ridiculed
and
mocked Him.
Dressing Him in
a fine
robe,
they sent Him back
to
Pilate.
and said
to
them,
“You brought
me
this
man
as one who
was inciting
the
people to rebellion.
I
have examined Him
here
in your presence
and found
Him
not
guilty
of
your charges
against
Him.
Neither has
Herod,
for
he sent Him back
to
us.
As you can see,
He
has
done
nothing
deserving
of death.
A third time
he said
to
them,
“What
evil
has this man
done?
I have found
in
Him
no
offense worthy
of death.
So
after I punish
Him,
I will release Him.”
But
they were insistent,
demanding
with loud voices
for Jesus
to be crucified.
And
their
clamor
prevailed.
As
they had requested,
he released
the one
imprisoned
for
insurrection
and
murder,
and
surrendered
Jesus
to
their
will.
As
the soldiers led Him away,
they seized
Simon
of Cyrene
on his way in
from
the country,
and put
the
cross
on him
to carry
behind
Jesus.
But
Jesus
turned
to
them
and said,
“Daughters
of Jerusalem,
do not
weep
for
Me,
but
weep
for
yourselves
and
for
your
children.
Look,
the days
are coming
when
people will say,
‘Blessed are
the
barren women,
the
wombs
that
never
bore,
and
breasts
that
never
nursed.’
When
they came
to
the
place
called
The Skull,
they crucified
Him
there,
along with
the
criminals,
one
on
His right
and
the other
on
His left.
Then
Jesus
said,
“Father,
forgive
them,
for
they do not know
what
they are doing.”
And
they divided up
His
garments
by casting
lots.
The
people
stood
watching,
and
the
rulers
sneered at Him,
saying,
“He saved
others;
let Him save
Himself
if
He
is
the
Christ
of God,
the
Chosen One."
One
of the
criminals
who hung there
heaped abuse on
Him.
“Are You
not
the
Christ?”
he said.
“Save
Yourself
and
us!”
But
the
other one
rebuked
him,
saying,
“Do you
not even
fear
God,
since
you are
under
the
same
judgment?
We
are punished
justly,
for
we are receiving
what
we deserve
for our actions.
But
this man
has done
nothing
wrong.”
Then
Jesus
called out
in a loud voice,
“Father,
into
Your
hands
I commit
My
Spirit.”
And when
He had said
this,
He breathed His last.
When
the
centurion
saw
what
had happened,
he gave glory
to God,
saying,
“Surely
this
was
a righteous
man.”
And when
all
the
people
who had gathered
for
this
spectacle
saw
what
had taken place,
they returned home
beating
their
breasts.
But
all
those who
knew
Jesus,
including
the women
who
had followed
Him
from
Galilee,
stood
at a distance
watching
these things.
who
had not consented
to
their
decision
or
action.
He was from
the Judean town
of Arimathea,
and
was waiting for
the
kingdom
of God.
Then
he took it down,
wrapped
it
in a linen cloth,
and
placed
it
in
a tomb
cut into the rock,
where
no one
had yet
been laid.
The
women
who
had come with
Jesus
from
Galilee
followed,
and they saw
the
tomb
and
how
His
body
was placed.
Then
they returned
to prepare
spices
and
perfumes.
And
they rested
on the
Sabbath
according to
the
commandment.