New Testament in a Year

²³ When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes. They divided them into four parts. Each soldier got one part. All that was left was Jesus’ long, inner robe. It did not have any seams. It was made out of one piece of cloth from top to bottom.

²⁴ “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s cast lots to see who will get it.”

This happened so that Scripture would come true. It says,

So that is what the soldiers did.

²⁵ Jesus’ mother stood near his cross. So did his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ Jesus saw his mother there. He also saw the disciple he loved standing nearby. Jesus said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son.” ²⁷ He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, the disciple took her into his home.

Jesus Dies

²⁸ Later, Jesus knew that everything had now been finished. He also knew that what Scripture said must come true. So he said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there. So they soaked a sponge in it. They put the sponge on the stem of a hyssop plant. Then they lifted it up to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ After Jesus drank he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died.

³¹ It was Preparation Day. The next day would be a special Sabbath day. The Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath day. So they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. ³² The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the other man. ³³ But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead. So they did not break his legs. ³⁴ Instead, one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus’ side. Right away, blood and water flowed out. ³⁵ The man who saw it has been a witness about it. And what he has said is true. He knows that he tells the truth. He is a witness so that you also may believe. ³⁶ These things happened in order that Scripture would come true. It says, “Not one of his bones will be broken.” (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20) ³⁷ Scripture also says, “They will look to the one they have pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10)

Jesus Is Buried

³⁸ Later Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Joseph was from the town of Arimathea. He was a follower of Jesus. But he followed Jesus secretly because he was afraid of the Jewish leaders. After Pilate gave him permission, Joseph came and took the body away. ³⁹ Nicodemus went with Joseph. He was the man who had earlier visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought some mixed spices that weighed about 75 pounds. ⁴⁰ The two men took Jesus’ body. They wrapped it in strips of linen cloth, along with the spices. That was the way the Jews buried people. ⁴¹ At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden. A new tomb was there. No one had ever been put in it before. ⁴² That day was the Jewish Preparation Day, and the tomb was nearby. So they placed Jesus there.