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耶穌被押交彼拉多(A)

23 眾人都起來,把耶穌押到彼拉多那裡, 控告他說:“我們查出這個人煽惑我們的同胞,阻止納稅給凱撒,並且自稱是基督,是王。” 彼拉多問他:“你是猶太人的王嗎?”耶穌回答:“你已經說了(“你已經說了”或譯:“這是你說的”)。” 彼拉多對祭司長和眾人說:“我在這人身上,查不出有甚麼罪。” 但他們極力說:“他在猶太全地教導人,煽動群眾,從加利利直到這裡。”

希律王藐視耶穌

彼拉多聽見了,就問耶穌是不是加利利人。 既然知道他是屬於希律管轄的,就把他送回希律那裡;那時希律正在耶路撒冷。 希律看見耶穌,非常歡喜,因為他曾經聽過耶穌的事,早就想要見他,希望看他行個神蹟。 於是他問了耶穌許多話,但耶穌甚麼也不回答。 10 祭司長和經學家站著,猛烈地控告他。 11 希律和他的侍衛就藐視耶穌,戲弄他,給他穿上華麗的衣服,把他送回彼拉多那裡。 12 希律和彼拉多從前原是彼此為仇,在那一天就成了朋友。

彼拉多判耶穌釘十字架(B)

13 彼拉多召集了祭司長、官長和民眾, 14 對他們說:“你們把這人押到我這裡來,說他煽惑群眾,我已經在你們面前審訊過,在他身上一點也找不到你們控告他的罪狀, 15 連希律也找不到,又把他送回我這裡,可見他沒有作過該死的事。 16 我要責打他,然後把他釋放。”(有些抄本有第17節:“每逢節期,他必須照例給他們釋放一個囚犯。”也有些抄本把這句放在第19節後) 18 眾人齊聲喊叫:“除掉這個人,給我們釋放巴拉巴!” 19 這巴拉巴是因為在城裡作亂殺人而入獄的。 20 彼拉多再向他們說明,願意釋放耶穌。 21 然而他們高聲呼叫:“把他釘十字架,把他釘十字架!” 22 彼拉多第三次對他們說:“這人作過甚麼惡事呢?我在他身上找不出甚麼該死的罪。所以我要責打他,然後把他釋放。” 23 但他們大聲吵鬧,要他把耶穌釘十字架,他們的聲音就得了勝。 24 彼拉多就宣判,照他們的要求, 25 把他們所求那作亂殺人入獄的釋放了,卻把耶穌交出來,隨他們的意思處理。

耶穌被釘十字架(C)

26 他們把耶穌帶走的時候,抓住了一個從鄉下來的古利奈人西門,把十字架放在他身上,叫他背著跟在耶穌後面。 27 一大群人跟隨他,有些婦女為他捶胸痛哭。 28 耶穌轉過身來對她們說:“耶路撒冷的女兒啊,不要為我哭,卻要為你們自己和你們的兒女哭。 29 日子將到,人必說:‘不生育的和沒有懷過胎的,也沒有哺養過嬰兒的有福了。’

30 那時人要對大山說:

‘倒在我們身上!’

對小山說:

‘遮蓋我們!’

31 他們在青綠的樹上,既然這樣作;在枯乾的樹上,又會怎樣呢?”

32 他們另外帶來兩個犯人,和耶穌一同處死, 33 到了那名叫“髑髏”的地方,就把耶穌釘在十字架上,也釘了那兩個犯人,一左一右。 34 耶穌說:“父啊,赦免他們!因為他們不知道自己所作的是甚麼。”士兵抽籤,分了他的衣服。 35 群眾站著觀看,官長們嗤笑說:“他救了別人,如果他是基督,是 神所揀選的,讓他救自己吧!” 36 士兵也上前戲弄他,拿酸酒給他喝, 37 說:“如果你是猶太人的王,救你自己吧!” 38 在耶穌的頭以上有一個牌子寫著:“這是猶太人的王。”

39 懸掛著的犯人中,有一個侮辱他說:“你不是基督嗎?救你自己和我們吧!” 40 另一個就應聲責備他說:“你是同樣受刑的,還不懼怕 神嗎? 41 我們是罪有應得的。我們所受的與所作的相稱,然而這個人並沒有作過甚麼不對的事。” 42 他又對耶穌說:“耶穌啊,你得國降臨的時候,求你記念我。” 43 耶穌對他說:“我實在告訴你,今天你必定同我在樂園裡了。”

耶穌死時的情形(D)

44 從大約正午直到下午三點鐘,遍地都黑暗了。 45 太陽沒有光,聖所的幔子從當中裂開。 46 耶穌大聲呼叫:“父啊,我把我的靈魂交在你手裡。”說了這話,氣就斷了。 47 百夫長看見所發生的事,就頌讚 神,說:“這真是個義人!” 48 聚集觀看的群眾,看見所發生的事,都捶著胸回去了。 49 與耶穌熟悉的人,和從加利利跟隨他來的婦女,都遠遠地站著,看這些事。

耶穌葬在墳墓裡(E)

50 有一個人名叫約瑟,是個議員,為人良善公義, 51 是猶太地亞利馬太城的人,一向等候 神的國,並不附和眾人的計謀和行為。 52 這人去見彼拉多,求領耶穌的身體。 53 他把身體取下來,用細麻布裹好,放在從石頭鑿出來的墳墓裡,這墳墓是從來沒有葬過人的。 54 那天是預備日,安息日就要開始, 55 那些從加利利和耶穌一起來的婦女,跟著來了。她們看見了墳墓,和他的身體怎樣安葬, 56 就回去預備香料和香膏。

安息日,她們遵著誡命安息。

耶稣被押交彼拉多(A)

23 众人都起来,把耶稣押到彼拉多那里, 控告他说:“我们查出这个人煽惑我们的同胞,阻止纳税给凯撒,并且自称是基督,是王。” 彼拉多问他:“你是犹太人的王吗?”耶稣回答:“你已经说了(“你已经说了”或译:“这是你说的”)。” 彼拉多对祭司长和众人说:“我在这人身上,查不出有甚么罪。” 但他们极力说:“他在犹太全地教导人,煽动群众,从加利利直到这里。”

希律王藐视耶稣

彼拉多听见了,就问耶稣是不是加利利人。 既然知道他是属于希律管辖的,就把他送回希律那里;那时希律正在耶路撒冷。 希律看见耶稣,非常欢喜,因为他曾经听过耶稣的事,早就想要见他,希望看他行个神迹。 于是他问了耶稣许多话,但耶稣甚么也不回答。 10 祭司长和经学家站着,猛烈地控告他。 11 希律和他的侍卫就藐视耶稣,戏弄他,给他穿上华丽的衣服,把他送回彼拉多那里。 12 希律和彼拉多从前原是彼此为仇,在那一天就成了朋友。

彼拉多判耶稣钉十字架(B)

13 彼拉多召集了祭司长、官长和民众, 14 对他们说:“你们把这人押到我这里来,说他煽惑群众,我已经在你们面前审讯过,在他身上一点也找不到你们控告他的罪状, 15 连希律也找不到,又把他送回我这里,可见他没有作过该死的事。 16 我要责打他,然后把他释放。”(有些抄本有第17节:“每逢节期,他必须照例给他们释放一个囚犯。”也有些抄本把这句放在第19节后) 18 众人齐声喊叫:“除掉这个人,给我们释放巴拉巴!” 19 这巴拉巴是因为在城里作乱杀人而入狱的。 20 彼拉多再向他们说明,愿意释放耶稣。 21 然而他们高声呼叫:“把他钉十字架,把他钉十字架!” 22 彼拉多第三次对他们说:“这人作过甚么恶事呢?我在他身上找不出甚么该死的罪。所以我要责打他,然后把他释放。” 23 但他们大声吵闹,要他把耶稣钉十字架,他们的声音就得了胜。 24 彼拉多就宣判,照他们的要求, 25 把他们所求那作乱杀人入狱的释放了,却把耶稣交出来,随他们的意思处理。

耶稣被钉十字架(C)

26 他们把耶稣带走的时候,抓住了一个从乡下来的古利奈人西门,把十字架放在他身上,叫他背着跟在耶稣后面。 27 一大群人跟随他,有些妇女为他捶胸痛哭。 28 耶稣转过身来对她们说:“耶路撒冷的女儿啊,不要为我哭,却要为你们自己和你们的儿女哭。 29 日子将到,人必说:‘不生育的和没有怀过胎的,也没有哺养过婴儿的有福了。’

30 那时人要对大山说:

‘倒在我们身上!’

对小山说:

‘遮盖我们!’

31 他们在青绿的树上,既然这样作;在枯干的树上,又会怎样呢?”

32 他们另外带来两个犯人,和耶稣一同处死, 33 到了那名叫“髑髅”的地方,就把耶稣钉在十字架上,也钉了那两个犯人,一左一右。 34 耶稣说:“父啊,赦免他们!因为他们不知道自己所作的是甚么。”士兵抽签,分了他的衣服。 35 群众站着观看,官长们嗤笑说:“他救了别人,如果他是基督,是 神所拣选的,让他救自己吧!” 36 士兵也上前戏弄他,拿酸酒给他喝, 37 说:“如果你是犹太人的王,救你自己吧!” 38 在耶稣的头以上有一个牌子写着:“这是犹太人的王。”

39 悬挂着的犯人中,有一个侮辱他说:“你不是基督吗?救你自己和我们吧!” 40 另一个就应声责备他说:“你是同样受刑的,还不惧怕 神吗? 41 我们是罪有应得的。我们所受的与所作的相称,然而这个人并没有作过甚么不对的事。” 42 他又对耶稣说:“耶稣啊,你得国降临的时候,求你记念我。” 43 耶稣对他说:“我实在告诉你,今天你必定同我在乐园里了。”

耶稣死时的情形(D)

44 从大约正午直到下午三点钟,遍地都黑暗了。 45 太阳没有光,圣所的幔子从当中裂开。 46 耶稣大声呼叫:“父啊,我把我的灵魂交在你手里。”说了这话,气就断了。 47 百夫长看见所发生的事,就颂赞 神,说:“这真是个义人!” 48 聚集观看的群众,看见所发生的事,都捶着胸回去了。 49 与耶稣熟悉的人,和从加利利跟随他来的妇女,都远远地站着,看这些事。

耶稣葬在坟墓里(E)

50 有一个人名叫约瑟,是个议员,为人良善公义, 51 是犹太地亚利马太城的人,一向等候 神的国,并不附和众人的计谋和行为。 52 这人去见彼拉多,求领耶稣的身体。 53 他把身体取下来,用细麻布裹好,放在从石头凿出来的坟墓里,这坟墓是从来没有葬过人的。 54 那天是预备日,安息日就要开始, 55 那些从加利利和耶稣一起来的妇女,跟着来了。她们看见了坟墓,和他的身体怎样安葬, 56 就回去预备香料和香膏。

安息日,她们遵着诫命安息。

Jesús ante Pilato

(Mt. 27.1-2,11-14; Mr. 15.1-5; Jn. 18.28-38)

23 Levantándose entonces toda la muchedumbre de ellos, llevaron a Jesús a Pilato. Y comenzaron a acusarle, diciendo: A este hemos hallado que pervierte a la nación, y que prohíbe dar tributo a César, diciendo que él mismo es el Cristo, un rey. Entonces Pilato le preguntó, diciendo: ¿Eres tú el Rey de los judíos? Y respondiéndole él, dijo: Tú lo dices. Y Pilato dijo a los principales sacerdotes, y a la gente: Ningún delito hallo en este hombre. Pero ellos porfiaban, diciendo: Alborota al pueblo, enseñando por toda Judea, comenzando desde Galilea hasta aquí.

Jesús ante Herodes

Entonces Pilato, oyendo decir, Galilea, preguntó si el hombre era galileo. Y al saber que era de la jurisdicción de Herodes, le remitió a Herodes, que en aquellos días también estaba en Jerusalén. Herodes, viendo a Jesús, se alegró mucho, porque hacía tiempo que deseaba verle; porque había oído muchas cosas acerca de él, y esperaba verle hacer alguna señal. Y le hacía muchas preguntas, pero él nada le respondió. 10 Y estaban los principales sacerdotes y los escribas acusándole con gran vehemencia. 11 Entonces Herodes con sus soldados le menospreció y escarneció, vistiéndole de una ropa espléndida; y volvió a enviarle a Pilato. 12 Y se hicieron amigos Pilato y Herodes aquel día; porque antes estaban enemistados entre sí.

Jesús sentenciado a muerte

(Mt. 27.15-26; Mr. 15.6-15; Jn. 18.38—19.16)

13 Entonces Pilato, convocando a los principales sacerdotes, a los gobernantes, y al pueblo, 14 les dijo: Me habéis presentado a este como un hombre que perturba al pueblo; pero habiéndole interrogado yo delante de vosotros, no he hallado en este hombre delito alguno de aquellos de que le acusáis. 15 Y ni aun Herodes, porque os remití a él; y he aquí, nada digno de muerte ha hecho este hombre. 16 Le soltaré, pues, después de castigarle. 17 Y tenía necesidad de soltarles uno en cada fiesta.

18 Mas toda la multitud dio voces a una, diciendo: ¡Fuera con este, y suéltanos a Barrabás! 19 Este había sido echado en la cárcel por sedición en la ciudad, y por un homicidio. 20 Les habló otra vez Pilato, queriendo soltar a Jesús; 21 pero ellos volvieron a dar voces, diciendo: ¡Crucifícale, crucifícale! 22 Él les dijo por tercera vez: ¿Pues qué mal ha hecho este? Ningún delito digno de muerte he hallado en él; le castigaré, pues, y le soltaré. 23 Mas ellos instaban a grandes voces, pidiendo que fuese crucificado. Y las voces de ellos y de los principales sacerdotes prevalecieron. 24 Entonces Pilato sentenció que se hiciese lo que ellos pedían; 25 y les soltó a aquel que había sido echado en la cárcel por sedición y homicidio, a quien habían pedido; y entregó a Jesús a la voluntad de ellos.

Crucifixión y muerte de Jesús

(Mt. 27.32-56; Mr. 15.21-41; Jn. 19.17-30)

26 Y llevándole, tomaron a cierto Simón de Cirene, que venía del campo, y le pusieron encima la cruz para que la llevase tras Jesús. 27 Y le seguía gran multitud del pueblo, y de mujeres que lloraban y hacían lamentación por él. 28 Pero Jesús, vuelto hacia ellas, les dijo: Hijas de Jerusalén, no lloréis por mí, sino llorad por vosotras mismas y por vuestros hijos. 29 Porque he aquí vendrán días en que dirán: Bienaventuradas las estériles, y los vientres que no concibieron, y los pechos que no criaron. 30 Entonces comenzarán a decir a los montes: Caed sobre nosotros; y a los collados: Cubridnos.(A) 31 Porque si en el árbol verde hacen estas cosas, ¿en el seco, qué no se hará?

32 Llevaban también con él a otros dos, que eran malhechores, para ser muertos. 33 Y cuando llegaron al lugar llamado de la Calavera, le crucificaron allí, y a los malhechores, uno a la derecha y otro a la izquierda. 34 Y Jesús decía: Padre, perdónalos, porque no saben lo que hacen. Y repartieron entre sí sus vestidos, echando suertes.(B) 35 Y el pueblo estaba mirando; y aun los gobernantes se burlaban de él, diciendo: A otros salvó; sálvese a sí mismo, si este es el Cristo, el escogido de Dios. 36 Los soldados también le escarnecían, acercándose y presentándole vinagre, 37 y diciendo: Si tú eres el Rey de los judíos, sálvate a ti mismo. 38 Había también sobre él un título escrito con letras griegas, latinas y hebreas: ESTE ES EL REY DE LOS JUDÍOS.

39 Y uno de los malhechores que estaban colgados le injuriaba, diciendo: Si tú eres el Cristo, sálvate a ti mismo y a nosotros. 40 Respondiendo el otro, le reprendió, diciendo: ¿Ni aun temes tú a Dios, estando en la misma condenación? 41 Nosotros, a la verdad, justamente padecemos, porque recibimos lo que merecieron nuestros hechos; mas este ningún mal hizo. 42 Y dijo a Jesús: Acuérdate de mí cuando vengas en tu reino. 43 Entonces Jesús le dijo: De cierto te digo que hoy estarás conmigo en el paraíso.

44 Cuando era como la hora sexta, hubo tinieblas sobre toda la tierra hasta la hora novena. 45 Y el sol se oscureció, y el velo(C) del templo se rasgó por la mitad. 46 Entonces Jesús, clamando a gran voz, dijo: Padre, en tus manos encomiendo mi espíritu.(D) Y habiendo dicho esto, expiró. 47 Cuando el centurión vio lo que había acontecido, dio gloria a Dios, diciendo: Verdaderamente este hombre era justo. 48 Y toda la multitud de los que estaban presentes en este espectáculo, viendo lo que había acontecido, se volvían golpeándose el pecho. 49 Pero todos sus conocidos, y las mujeres(E) que le habían seguido desde Galilea, estaban lejos mirando estas cosas.

Jesús es sepultado

(Mt. 27.57-61; Mr. 15.42-47; Jn. 19.38-42)

50 Había un varón llamado José, de Arimatea, ciudad de Judea, el cual era miembro del concilio, varón bueno y justo. 51 Este, que también esperaba el reino de Dios, y no había consentido en el acuerdo ni en los hechos de ellos, 52 fue a Pilato, y pidió el cuerpo de Jesús. 53 Y quitándolo, lo envolvió en una sábana, y lo puso en un sepulcro abierto en una peña, en el cual aún no se había puesto a nadie. 54 Era día de la preparación, y estaba para comenzar el día de reposo.[a] 55 Y las mujeres que habían venido con él desde Galilea, siguieron también, y vieron el sepulcro, y cómo fue puesto su cuerpo. 56 Y vueltas, prepararon especias aromáticas y ungüentos; y descansaron el día de reposo,[b] conforme al mandamiento.(F)

Footnotes

  1. Lucas 23:54 Aquí equivale a sábado.
  2. Lucas 23:56 Aquí equivale a sábado.

23 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate.(A) And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation.(B) He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar(C) and claims to be Messiah, a king.”(D)

So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”(E)

But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee(F) and has come all the way here.”

On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.(G) When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod,(H) who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him.(I) From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort. He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.(J) 10 The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe,(K) they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That day Herod and Pilate became friends(L)—before this they had been enemies.

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.(M) 15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will punish him(N) and then release him.” [17] [a]

18 But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!”(O) 19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”(P)

23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

The Crucifixion of Jesus(Q)

26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene,(R) who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.(S) 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed(T) for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.(U) 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’(V) 30 Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’[b](W)

31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”(X)

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.(Y) 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father,(Z) forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[c](AA) And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(AB)

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.(AC) They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”(AD)

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him.(AE) They offered him wine vinegar(AF) 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews,(AG) save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.(AH)

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”(AI)

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”(AJ)

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d](AK)

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”(AL)

The Death of Jesus(AM)

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,(AN) 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple(AO) was torn in two.(AP) 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice,(AQ) “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[e](AR) When he had said this, he breathed his last.(AS)

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God(AT) and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts(AU) and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee,(AV) stood at a distance,(AW) watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus(AX)

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.(AY) 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day,(AZ) and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee(BA) followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.(BB) But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.(BC)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:17 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Matt. 27:15 and Mark 15:6.
  2. Luke 23:30 Hosea 10:8
  3. Luke 23:34 Some early manuscripts do not have this sentence.
  4. Luke 23:42 Some manuscripts come with your kingly power
  5. Luke 23:46 Psalm 31:5

Pilate asks Jesus questions

23 All the people at the meeting stood up to leave. They took Jesus to stand in front of Pilate.[a] Then they all started to tell Pilate that Jesus had done bad things. They said, ‘We found this man when he was telling our people wrong things. He said that we must not pay taxes to the Roman government. He also said that he himself is the Messiah, that is, a king.’

Pilate asked Jesus, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ Jesus replied, ‘You have said it.’

Pilate then said to the leaders of the priests and to all the crowd of people, ‘I cannot find any reason to say that this man is guilty.’ But they continued to speak strongly to him. They said, ‘He makes the people angry and ready to fight against the government. He has taught these bad things everywhere in Judea. He started in Galilee and now he has come to Jerusalem.’

When Pilate heard this, he asked if Jesus came from Galilee. He discovered that he was from the country where Herod ruled. So Pilate sent Jesus to stand in front of Herod. Herod was also in Jerusalem at that time.[b]

Herod asks Jesus questions

Herod was very happy to see Jesus. He had heard about him and he had wanted to meet him for a long time. He wanted to see Jesus do something to show God's power. He asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus did not answer any of them. 10 The leaders of the priests and the teachers of God's Law stood there. They were shouting out that Jesus had done many bad things. 11 Then Herod and his soldiers started to laugh at Jesus. They were saying things to make him feel bad. They put a beautiful coat on him. Then they sent him back to Pilate. 12 That same day, Herod and Pilate became friends. Until then, they had not liked each other.

Pilate and the Jewish leaders argue about Jesus

13 Pilate then told the leaders of the priests, the leaders of the Jews and the people to come back to him. 14 He said to them, ‘You brought this man to me. You said that he was causing the people to fight against their rulers. Listen! I have asked him some questions in front of you. But I have not found that he has done anything wrong. 15 Herod also did not find that he had done anything wrong. That is why he has sent him back to me. You can see this. He has not done anything bad that means he ought to die. 16 So I will just punish him. I will command a soldier to hit him with whips. Then I will let him go.’

17 [Pilate usually let one person go free out of the prison at Passover time.][c]

18 But the crowd all shouted together, ‘Take this man away and kill him! We want Barabbas to go free.’

19 Barabbas had fought against the Roman rulers in Jerusalem. He had also killed somebody. That is why the rulers had put him in prison. 20 But Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go. So he spoke to the crowd again. 21 But they continued to shout. They were shouting, ‘Kill him on a cross, kill him on a cross.’[d]

22 Pilate asked them the same question for the third time. ‘Why should I kill him? What wrong things has he done? You want me to say that he should die. But I have not found anything wrong that would cause me to say that. So I will punish him. I will command my soldiers to hit him with a whip. Then I will let him go.’

23 But they continued to shout at Pilate, ‘Kill him on a cross.’ They continued to shout very much. So, in the end, 24 Pilate did what they wanted. 25 They had asked Pilate to let Barabbas go free out of the prison. He was the man that had caused the Jewish people to fight against the Roman rulers. He had also killed somebody. He was the man that Pilate let go free. As for Jesus, Pilate commanded the soldiers to take him away. He let the people do to him what they wanted.

They kill Jesus on a cross

26 So the soldiers took Jesus away, to go to the place where they would kill him. On the way, they took hold of a man called Simon. This man was from the town of Cyrene. He was coming in from outside the city. The soldiers took the cross that Jesus was carrying on his shoulders. They made Simon carry it instead as he walked behind Jesus.

27 A very large crowd of people were following Jesus. There were many women among them. They were crying with loud voices. They were weeping and crying because they were very sad. 28 So Jesus turned round and he said to them, ‘You women that live in Jerusalem, do not weep for me. Instead, cry for yourselves and for your children. 29 Listen! Days will come when people will say, “It is better for those women that could not have babies. Those women that never had babies to feed are the happy ones!” 30 People will begin to say, “It would be better if we were dead.” They will ask the mountains to fall on top of them. They will ask the hills to cover them up. 31 There is much trouble and pain now. But much worse things will happen! Now the fire burns slowly. But soon it will be like a fire that quickly burns dry wood!’[e]

32 The soldiers also took two other men out of the prison. These men had done bad things. The soldiers would kill them and Jesus together. 33 They took them to the place that is called ‘The Skull’. There they fixed Jesus to a cross to die. They also fixed the two bad men to crosses. One of these men was on the right side of Jesus. The other was on his left side.

34 Jesus said, ‘Father, these people do not know what they are doing. So please forgive them.’

The soldiers then picked up Jesus' clothes for themselves. They played a game to decide who would receive each piece of his clothes. 35 The people stood there and they were watching. The Jewish leaders were laughing at Jesus. They said, ‘He saved other people, did he? Then he should save his own life! Then we will know that he is really the Messiah, the man that God has chosen.’

36 The soldiers also laughed at him. They came up to him and they offered him cheap wine to drink. 37 They said, ‘If you are really the King of the Jews, save your own life.’

38 There was also a notice fixed at the top of the cross. It said, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

39 One of the bad men on a cross at the side of Jesus started to insult him. He shouted, ‘You say that you are the Messiah, don't you? Then save your own life and save our lives too!’

40 But the bad man on the other cross told him that he should be quiet. He said, ‘You should be more afraid of God. We will die here, as well as him. 41 We two men have done very bad things. So it is right that we should die. But this man has not done anything wrong.’ 42 Then the man said to Jesus, ‘Remember me, Jesus, when you start to rule in your kingdom.’ 43 Jesus replied, ‘I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.’

Jesus dies

44 It was now about midday. The whole country became dark for three hours. 45 The sun did not give any light. Then the curtain inside the temple tore into two parts. 46 Then Jesus shouted loudly, ‘Father, I give my spirit to you.’ After he shouted this, he died.

47 There was a captain of the soldiers there. When he saw what had happened, he praised God. He said. ‘I am sure that this man had not done anything wrong.’

48 A very big crowd had come together to watch the men die. They saw what had happened. Then they began to go home. They were very sad, and they were hitting their own bodies with their hands. 49 The friends of Jesus were there. The women that had come with him from Galilee were also there. They were all standing a long way away. They also saw what happened to him.

Joseph buries Jesus

50 A man called Joseph was also there. He was one of a special group of important Jewish leaders.[f] He was a good man that wanted to do right things. 51 He was from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He had not agreed with the other leaders that Jesus should die. He was waiting for God to begin to rule his people in his kingdom.

52 So Joseph went to see Pilate. He asked Pilate for the dead body of Jesus. Pilate agreed to this. 53 Joseph then went to the place where Jesus died. He took the dead body down from the cross. He put a piece of linen cloth around the body. Then he put the body into a large hole in the rock. People had made that hole to put dead bodies in, but it was the first time that anyone had used it.[g]

54 This all happened on the day before the Jewish day of rest. It was nearly time for the Jewish day of rest to begin.[h]

Jesus becomes alive again

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph. They saw the place where the hole in the rock was. They also saw Joseph put Jesus' body into the empty hole. 56 Then they returned to the house where they were staying in Jerusalem. They prepared spices and oil that had a beautiful smell. On the Jewish day of rest they obeyed God's Law and they did not work.

Footnotes

  1. 23:1 Pontius Pilate ruled over this part of the land that the Romans ruled. He ruled over Jerusalem.
  2. 23:7 Herod was a king and he ruled over the whole of Galilee. It was Herod that had killed John the Baptist.
  3. 23:17 Verse 17 is not in many copies of Luke.
  4. 23:21 Roman rulers fixed bad people to a big cross made from wood, to kill them.
  5. 23:31 Again, Jesus is telling the people that enemies will soon destroy Jerusalem. Jesus is like a tree that is alive. He has not done anything wrong. But still the Romans will kill him on a cross. The bad people in Jerusalem are like dry wood. They have done many wrong things. The Romans will do worse things to them.
  6. 23:50 This was the same group that asked Jesus questions. They had wanted Pilate to kill Jesus.
  7. 23:53 At that time, they put dead bodies in a hole in a rock. Then the family and friends closed the front with a big stone.
  8. 23:54 For the Jews, the end of a day was when the sun went down, at about six o'clock in the evening. Then the next day began.