The Guards Mock Jesus^(A)

⁶³ The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him.

²² When Jesus said this, one of the officials^(A) nearby slapped him in the face.^(B) “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

²³ When they hurled their insults at him,^(A) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.^(B) Instead, he entrusted himself^(C) to him who judges justly.^(D)

² fixing our eyes on Jesus,^(A) the pioneer^(B) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,^(C) scorning its shame,^(D) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.^(E)

²⁷ They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. ^{[28] [a] 29} Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads^(A) and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,^{(B) 30} come down from the cross and save yourself!” ³¹ In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him^(C) among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! ³² Let this Messiah,^(D) this king of Israel,^(E) come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus^(A)

¹⁶ The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace^(B) (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. ¹⁷ They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. ¹⁸ And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!”^{(C) 19} Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. ²⁰ And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out^(D) to crucify him.

⁵⁵ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin^(A) were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. ⁵⁶ Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

⁵⁷ Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: ⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another,^(B) not made with hands.’” ⁵⁹ Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

⁶⁰ Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” ⁶¹ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.^(C)

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”^(D)

⁶² “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^(E)

⁶³ The high priest tore his clothes.^(F) “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. ⁶⁴ “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death.^{(G) 65} Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.^(H)

³⁹ Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads^{(A) 40} and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,^(B) save yourself!^(C) Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”^{(D) 41} In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ⁴² “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel!^(E) Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe^(F) in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him^(G) now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ⁴⁴ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

²⁸ They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,^{(A) 29} and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.^{(B) 30} They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.^{(C) 31} After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.^(D)