Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Thanksgiving for Victory
118 ·Thank [Praise] the Lord because he is good.
His ·love [loyalty] ·continues [endures] forever.
2 Let Israel say,
“His ·love [loyalty] ·continues [endures] forever.”
19 Open for me the ·Temple gates [L gates of righteousness].
Then I will come in and ·thank [praise] the Lord.
20 This is the Lord’s gate;
only ·those who are good [the righteous] may enter through it [15; 24:3–6].
21 Lord, I ·thank [praise] you for answering me.
You have ·saved me [given me victory].
22 The stone that the builders rejected
became the chief cornerstone [Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:7].
23 ·The Lord did this [L This is from the Lord],
and it is wonderful ·to us [L in our eyes; Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10–11].
24 This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad ·today [L in it]!
25 Please, Lord, ·save us [give us victory];
please, Lord, give us ·success [prosperity].
26 ·God bless [Blessed be] the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless all of you from the ·Temple [L house] of the Lord [Mark 11:9; Luke 13:35; 19:38].
27 The Lord is God,
and he has ·shown kindness to [illuminated; given light to] us.
·With branches in your hands, join the feast [L Bind the feast/procession with branches].
Come to the ·corners [L horns; Ex. 27:2] of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will ·thank [praise] you;
you are my God, and I will ·praise your greatness [L exalt you].
29 ·Thank [Praise] the Lord because he is good.
His ·love [loyalty] ·continues [endures] forever.
Jesus Enters Jerusalem as a King(A)
28 After Jesus said this, he went on [L ahead, going up] toward Jerusalem. 29 As Jesus came near Bethphage and Bethany, towns near the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent out two of his ·followers [disciples]. 30 He said, “Go to the town ·you can see there [ahead of you; or opposite you; C unclear whether Bethphage or Bethany]. When you enter it, you will find a ·colt [young donkey] tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here to me. 31 If anyone asks you why you are untying it, say that ·the Master [the Lord; or its Owner] needs it.”
32 The two ·followers [L who were sent] went into town and found ·the colt [or the situation] just as Jesus had told them. 33 As they were untying it, its ·owners [masters] came out and asked the followers, “Why are you untying our ·colt [young donkey]?”
34 The followers answered, “·The Master [The Lord; Its Owner] needs it.” 35 So they brought it to Jesus, threw their ·coats [garments] on the ·colt’s [young donkey’s] back, and put Jesus on it. 36 As Jesus rode toward Jerusalem, others spread their coats on the ·road [path; way] before him.
37 As he was coming close to Jerusalem, on the way down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of ·followers [disciples] began joyfully shouting praise to God for all the ·miracles [mighty works] they had seen. 38 They said,
“·God bless [Blessed is] the king who comes in the name of the Lord [Ps. 118:26]!
·There is peace [or May there be peace; L Peace] in heaven and glory ·to God [L in the highest; C either “in highest heaven” or “to the Most High God”]!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, ·tell your followers not to say these things [L rebuke your disciples].”
40 But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if ·my followers didn’t say these things [L they remained silent], then the stones would ·cry out [start shouting].”
God’s Servant Obeys
4 The Lord God gave me the ·ability to teach [L tongue of a student/learned one]
so that I know what to say to make the ·weak [weary] strong.
Every morning he wakes me.
He ·teaches me [L awakens my ear] to listen like a student [C this passage (50:4–11) is the third of four “servant songs” in Isaiah; see 42:1].
5 The Lord God ·helps me learn [or speaks clearly to me; L has opened my ear],
and I have not ·turned against him [rebelled]
nor ·stopped following him [turned away/back].
6 I offered my back to those who beat me.
I offered my cheeks to those who ·pulled [ripped out] my beard.
I ·won’t [or did not] hide my face from them
when they ·make fun of [mocked; insulted; shamed] me and spit at me [53:5; Matt. 26:67; 27:26; Mark 15:19; Luke 22:63].
7 The Lord God helps me,
so I will not be ·ashamed [disgraced].
I ·will be determined [L have set my face like flint; Ezek. 3:8–9],
and I know I will not be ·disgraced [put to shame].
8 He ·shows that I am innocent [vindicates], and he is ·close to me [near].
So who can ·accuse me [bring charges against me; Rom. 8:33–34]?
If there is someone, let us ·go to court [L stand up] together.
·If someone wants to prove I have done wrong [L Who are my accusers?],
he should ·come and tell [challenge; L come near] me.
9 Look! It is the Lord God who helps me.
So who can ·prove me guilty [condemn me]?
Look! All those who try will ·become useless like old clothes [wear out like a garment];
moths will eat them.
9 Lord, ·have mercy [be gracious], because I am in ·misery [distress; trouble].
My eyes ·are weak [waste away; are dim] from so much crying,
·and my whole being is tired [L as is my soul and my body] from grief.
10 My life is ending in ·sadness [sorrow],
and my years are spent ·in crying [L with sighs/moans].
My ·troubles are using up my strength [L strength stumbles in my affliction/misery],
and my bones ·are getting weaker [waste away].
11 Because of all my ·troubles [distress], my enemies ·hate [scorn] me,
and even my neighbors look down on me.
When my ·friends [acquaintances] see me in public,
they are afraid and ·run [flee].
12 I am like a piece of a broken pot.
I am forgotten as if I were dead.
13 I have heard many ·insults [threats].
Terror is all around me.
They make plans against me
and ·want [plot] to kill me.
14 Lord, I ·trust [have confidence in] you.
I have said, “You are my God.”
15 My ·life is [times/fortunes are] in your hands.
·Save [Rescue; T Deliver] me from my enemies
and from those who are ·chasing [pursuing] me.
16 ·Show your kindness to me, [Shine your face on] your servant [Num. 6:25].
Save me because of your ·love [loyalty; covenant love].
Be Unselfish like Christ
5 In your lives you must ·think and act like [have the same attitude as] Christ Jesus. [C What follows may be from an early Christian hymn.]
6 ·Christ himself was like God in everything [L Who, being in the form of God].
But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be ·used for his own benefit [or grasped; seized; held on to].
7 But he ·gave up his place with God and made himself nothing [L emptied himself].
He ·became like [L took the form of] a ·servant [slave; bondservant]
and was born ·as a man [L in the likeness of humanity/men].
8 And ·when he was living [L being found in appearance/likeness] as a ·man [human being],
he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God,
even ·when that caused his [to the point of] death—death on a cross.
9 So God ·raised [exalted] him to the highest place.
God ·made his name [or gave him the name] ·greater than [far above] every other name
10 so that every knee will bow to the name of Jesus—
everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
11 And ·everyone [L every tongue] will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
and bring glory to God the Father.
The Lord’s Supper(A)
14 When the ·time [hour] came, Jesus and the apostles ·were sitting at the table [L reclined; C the posture at a formal meal; see 7:36]. 15 He said to them, “I wanted very much to eat this Passover meal with you before I suffer. 16 [L For I tell you] I will not eat another Passover meal until it is ·given its true meaning [L fulfilled] in the kingdom of God.”
17 Then Jesus took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this cup and share it among yourselves. 18 [L For I tell you] I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine [C wine] until God’s kingdom comes.”
19 Then Jesus took some bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to the apostles, saying, “This is my body,[a] which I am giving for you. Do this ·to remember [as a memorial to; T in remembrance of] me.” 20 In the same way, after ·supper [they had eaten], Jesus took the cup and said, “·This cup [or This cup that is poured out…] is the new ·agreement [covenant; C a binding relationship between God and his people; Jer. 31:31–34] ·that begins with [that is established by; or that is sealed with; L in] my blood, which is poured out for you [C interpreters differ as to whether it is the “cup” or the “blood” that Jesus says is “poured out”].
Who Will Turn Against Jesus?(B)
21 “But [L Look; T Behold] one of you will ·turn against [betray] me, and ·his hand is with mine on [or he is sharing a place with me at] the table. 22 ·What God has planned for the Son of Man will happen [L For the Son of Man is going (to his death) as it has been determined/decreed (by God)], but ·how terrible it will be for [L woe to] that one who ·turns against [betrays] the Son of Man [C a title for the Messiah; Dan. 7:13–14].”
23 Then the apostles ·asked [began to ask] each other which one of them would do that.
Be Like a Servant(C)
24 ·The apostles also began to argue [L Then an argument/dispute occurred among them] about which one of them was the ·most important [greatest]. 25 But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles ·rule [lord it] over them, and those who have authority over others like to be called ·‘friends of the people’ [‘Benefactors’]. 26 But you must not be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader should be like the servant. 27 [L For] Who is more important: the one ·sitting at the table [L reclining] or the one serving? Is it not the one ·sitting at the table [L reclining]? But I am like a servant among you.
28 “·You [L But you are the ones who] have stayed with me through my ·struggles [trials]. 29 Just as my Father has ·given [granted; conferred on] me a kingdom, I also ·give [grant; confer on] you a kingdom 30 so you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Don’t Lose Your Faith!(D)
31 “Simon [C Peter], Simon, [L look; T behold,] Satan has ·asked [de-manded; sought permission] to ·test all of you as a farmer sifts his [L sift all of you as] wheat. 32 [L But] I have prayed [L for you] that ·you will not lose your faith [your faith will not fail]! And when you ·come back to me [return; turn back], help your brothers be stronger.”
33 But Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and even to die with you!”
34 But Jesus said, “[L I tell you,] Peter, before the rooster crows this day, you will ·say three times that you don’t [L deny three times that you] know me.”
Be Ready for Trouble
35 Then Jesus said to the apostles, “When I sent you out without ·a purse [money bag], a ·bag [traveling bag], or sandals, did you ·need [lack] anything?”
They said, “·No [L Nothing].”
36 He said to them, “But now if you have a ·purse [money bag] or a ·bag [traveling bag], carry that with you. If you don’t have a sword, sell your ·coat [cloak] and buy one. 37 [L For] I tell you this scripture must ·have its full meaning [be fulfilled] ·with reference to me [L in me]: ‘He was ·treated like a criminal [counted/numbered among the wicked/lawless ones; Is. 53:12],’ [Yes; L For] What was written about me ·is happening now [is being fulfilled].”
38 His ·followers [disciples] said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.”
He said to them, “·That is enough [or That’s enough talk like that!].”
Jesus Prays Alone(E)
39 Jesus left the city and went to the Mount of Olives, as he often did, and his ·followers [disciples] ·went with [followed] him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray for strength ·against temptation [or not to fail the test].”
41 Then Jesus went about a stone’s throw away from them. He kneeled down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take away this ·cup of suffering [L cup; C suffering or punishment is metaphorically portrayed as something bitter to drink]. But do ·what you want [L your will], not ·what I want [L my will].” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him to strengthen him. 44 Being ·full of pain [in agony/anguish], Jesus prayed even harder. His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he ·finished praying [L rose from prayer], he went to his ·followers [disciples] and found them asleep ·because of their sadness [exhausted from grief]. 46 Jesus said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray ·for strength against temptation [that you won’t give in to temptation; or that you won’t be tempted/tested].”
Jesus Is Arrested(F)
47 While Jesus was speaking, [L look; T behold] a crowd came up, and [L the man called] Judas, one of the twelve apostles, was leading them. He came close to Jesus so he could kiss him.
48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When those who were standing around him saw what was ·happening [about to happen], they said, “Lord, should we strike them with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51 Jesus said, “Stop! No more of this.” Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to those who had come to arrest him, the ·leading [T chief] priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, “You came out here with swords and clubs as though I were a ·criminal [revolutionary; rebel; L robber; C a term used by the Romans of insurrectionists]. 53 I was with you every day in the Temple, and you didn’t ·arrest [L extend your hands against] me there. But this is your ·time [hour]—the time when darkness ·rules [has power/authority].”
Peter Says He Doesn’t Know Jesus(G)
54 They ·arrested [seized] Jesus, and led him away, and brought him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed ·far behind them [at a distance]. 55 After ·the soldiers [L they] started a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat together, Peter sat with them. 56 A servant girl saw Peter sitting there in the firelight, and looking closely at him, she said, “This man was also with him.”
57 But Peter ·said this was not true [denied it]; he said, “Woman, I don’t know him.”
58 A short time later, another person saw Peter and said, “You are also one of them.”
But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”
59 About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with him, because he is ·from Galilee [a Galilean], too.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!”
At once, while Peter was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Then the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. And Peter remembered what the Lord had said: “Before the rooster crows this day, you will ·say three times that you don’t know me [deny me three times].” 62 Then Peter went outside and ·cried painfully [wept bitterly].
The People Make Fun of Jesus
63 The men who were guarding Jesus began ·making fun of [mocking] him and beating him.
64 They blindfolded him and said, “·Prove that you are a prophet [L Prophesy!], and tell us who hit you.” 65 They said many ·cruel [insulting; blasphemous] things to Jesus.
Jesus Before the Leaders
66 When day came, the council of the elders of the people, both the ·leading [T chief] priests and the ·teachers of the law [scribes], came together and led Jesus to ·their highest court [the high council/Sanhedrin]. 67 They said, “If you are the ·Christ [Messiah], tell us.”
Jesus said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe me. 68 And if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will sit at the right hand of the powerful God [Ps. 110:1].”
70 They all said, “Then are you the Son of God?”
Jesus said to them, “You say that I am [C an indirect affirmation].”
71 They said, “Why do we need ·witnesses [testimony] now? [L For] We ·ourselves heard him say this [L heard it from his mouth].”
Pilate Questions Jesus(H)
23 Then the whole group stood up and led Jesus to Pilate [C Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea from ad 26 to 36; see 3:1]. 2 They began to accuse Jesus, saying, “We caught this man ·misleading [subverting] our ·people [nation]. He ·says that we should not pay [opposes/forbids paying] taxes to Caesar, and he ·calls himself [claims to be] the ·Christ [Messiah], a king.”
3 Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “·Those are your words [or It is as you say; L You say so; C an indirect affirmation; see 22:70].”
4 Pilate said to the ·leading [T chief] priests and the ·people [crowd], “I find ·nothing against [no basis for a charge against; no guilt in] this man.”
5 [L But] They were insisting, saying, “But Jesus ·makes trouble with [is inciting/stirring up] the people, teaching all around Judea. He began in Galilee, and now he is here.”
Pilate Sends Jesus to Herod
6 Pilate heard this and asked if ·Jesus [L the man] was ·from Galilee [a Galilean]. 7 ·Since [L Learning that] Jesus was under Herod’s authority, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod [C Antipas; see 3:1], who was in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, because he had heard about Jesus and had wanted to ·meet [L see] him for a long time. He was hoping to see Jesus ·work a miracle [perform a sign]. 9 Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus said nothing. 10 The ·leading [T chief] priests and ·teachers of the law [scribes] were standing there, ·strongly [vehemently; vigorously] accusing Jesus. 11 After Herod and his soldiers had ·made fun of [ridiculed and mocked] Jesus, they dressed him in a ·kingly [elegant; splendid; L bright] ·robe [clothing] and sent him back to Pilate. 12 In the past, Pilate and Herod had always been enemies, but on that day they became friends.
Jesus Must Die(I)
13 Pilate called together the ·leading [T chief] priests, the ·rulers [leaders] and the people. 14 He said to them, “You brought this man to me, saying he ·makes trouble among [misleads; subverts; incites] the people. But I have questioned him before you all, and I have not found ·him guilty of what you say [any basis for the charges]. 15 Also, Herod found nothing wrong with him; [L because] he sent him back to us. Look, he has done nothing ·for which he should die [worthy/deserving of death]. 16 So, after I ·punish him [have him flogged], I will let him go free.” |17 Every year at the Passover Feast, Pilate had to release one prisoner to the people.|[b]
18 But ·the people [L they] shouted together, “Take this man away [C for execution]! ·Let Barabbas go free [L Release Barabbas to/for us]!” 19 (Barabbas was a man who was in prison for his part in a ·riot [insurrection] in the city and for murder.)
20 Pilate wanted to let Jesus go free and [L again] ·told this to [appealed to; addressed] the crowd. 21 But they shouted again, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22 A third time Pilate said to them, “Why? What ·wrong [crime; evil] has he done? I can find no reason to kill him. So I will have him ·punished [flogged] and set him free.”
23 But they continued to shout, demanding that Jesus be crucified. Their ·yelling became so loud [L voices prevailed so] that 24 Pilate decided to give them what they ·wanted [requested; demanded]. 25 He set free the man who was in jail for ·rioting [insurrection] and murder, and he handed Jesus over ·to them to do with him as they wished [or as they requested; L to their will].
Jesus Is Crucified(J)
26 As they led Jesus away, Simon, a man from Cyrene [C a port city in North Africa (modern Libya)], was coming in from the ·fields [countryside; country; C Simon may be a Jewish pilgrim visiting Jerusalem for Passover or an immigrant living there]. They forced him to carry Jesus’ cross and to walk behind him.
27 A large crowd of people was following Jesus, including some women who were ·sad [mourning] and ·crying [wailing; lamenting] for him. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “·Women [L Daughters] of Jerusalem, don’t ·cry [weep] for me. ·Cry [Weep] for yourselves and for your children. 29 [L For look/T behold] The ·time is [days are] coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are ·the women who cannot have children [L the barren women and the wombs that never gave birth] and ·who have no babies to nurse [L the breasts that have never nursed].’ 30 Then people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ And they will say to the hills, ‘·Cover [Bury] us [Hos. 10:8]!’ 31 If they act like this now when ·life is good [L the tree is green], what will happen when ·bad times come [L it is dry; C probably an allusion to the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in ad 70]?”
32 There were also two criminals led out with Jesus to be ·put to death [executed]. 33 When they came to a place called the Skull, the soldiers crucified Jesus and the criminals—one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.”[c]
The soldiers threw lots [C similar to dice] to decide who would get his clothes [Ps. 22:18]. 35 The people stood there watching. And the leaders ·made fun of [sneered at; mocked] Jesus, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he is ·God’s Chosen One, the Christ [or God’s Messiah, the Chosen One].”
36 The soldiers also ·made fun of [mocked] him, coming to Jesus and offering him some ·vinegar [sour wine]. 37 They said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 ·At the top of the cross these words were written [L Above him there was also an inscription]: this is the king of the jews.
39 One of the criminals ·on a cross [L who was hanging there] began to ·shout insults at [slander; blaspheme] Jesus: “Aren’t you the ·Christ [Messiah]? Then save yourself and us.”
40 But the other criminal ·stopped [rebuked] him and said, “·You should [L Don’t you…?] fear God! You are getting the same punishment he is. 41 We are punished justly, getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise [C heaven or the presence of God].”
Jesus Dies
44 It was about ·noon [L the sixth hour; C hours were counted from dawn, about 6 AM], and the whole land became dark until ·three o’clock in the afternoon [L the ninth hour], 45 because the sun did not shine. The curtain in the Temple [C dividing the Most Holy Place from the rest of the Temple] was torn ·in two [down the middle]. 46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, ·I give you my life [L into your hands I entrust/commit my spirit; Ps. 31:5].” After Jesus said this, he ·died [expired; T breathed his last].
47 When the ·army officer [L centurion] there saw what happened, he ·praised [glorified] God, saying, “Surely this was a ·good [righteous; or innocent] man!”
48 When all the people who had gathered there to watch saw what happened, they returned home, beating their chests [C a sign of sorrow and remorse]. 49 But those who ·were close friends of Jesus [L knew him], including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance and watched [L these things].
Joseph Takes Jesus’ Body(K)
50 [L And look/T behold] There was a good and ·religious [righteous; just] man named Joseph who was a member of the council. 51 But he had not agreed to the other leaders’ plans and actions against Jesus. He was from the town of Arimathea [in Judea; or a town of the Jews] and was waiting for the kingdom of God to come. 52 Joseph went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. 53 He took the body down from the cross, wrapped it in [linen] cloth, and put it in a tomb that was cut out of a wall of rock. ·This tomb had never been used before [L …where no one had been laid; C family tombs held multiple bodies, but this new one was empty]. 54 This was late on Preparation Day, ·and when the sun went down, the Sabbath day would begin [L and the Sabbath was beginning].
55 The women who had come from Galilee with Jesus followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how Jesus’ body was laid. 56 Then the women left to prepare spices and perfumes [C used to honor the dead and cover the stench of decay].
On the Sabbath day they rested, ·as the law of Moses commanded [L according to the commandment].
Pilate Questions Jesus(A)
23 Then the whole group stood up and led Jesus to Pilate [C Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea from ad 26 to 36; see 3:1]. 2 They began to accuse Jesus, saying, “We caught this man ·misleading [subverting] our ·people [nation]. He ·says that we should not pay [opposes/forbids paying] taxes to Caesar, and he ·calls himself [claims to be] the ·Christ [Messiah], a king.”
3 Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “·Those are your words [or It is as you say; L You say so; C an indirect affirmation; see 22:70].”
4 Pilate said to the ·leading [T chief] priests and the ·people [crowd], “I find ·nothing against [no basis for a charge against; no guilt in] this man.”
5 [L But] They were insisting, saying, “But Jesus ·makes trouble with [is inciting/stirring up] the people, teaching all around Judea. He began in Galilee, and now he is here.”
Pilate Sends Jesus to Herod
6 Pilate heard this and asked if ·Jesus [L the man] was ·from Galilee [a Galilean]. 7 ·Since [L Learning that] Jesus was under Herod’s authority, Pilate sent Jesus to Herod [C Antipas; see 3:1], who was in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, because he had heard about Jesus and had wanted to ·meet [L see] him for a long time. He was hoping to see Jesus ·work a miracle [perform a sign]. 9 Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus said nothing. 10 The ·leading [T chief] priests and ·teachers of the law [scribes] were standing there, ·strongly [vehemently; vigorously] accusing Jesus. 11 After Herod and his soldiers had ·made fun of [ridiculed and mocked] Jesus, they dressed him in a ·kingly [elegant; splendid; L bright] ·robe [clothing] and sent him back to Pilate. 12 In the past, Pilate and Herod had always been enemies, but on that day they became friends.
Jesus Must Die(B)
13 Pilate called together the ·leading [T chief] priests, the ·rulers [leaders] and the people. 14 He said to them, “You brought this man to me, saying he ·makes trouble among [misleads; subverts; incites] the people. But I have questioned him before you all, and I have not found ·him guilty of what you say [any basis for the charges]. 15 Also, Herod found nothing wrong with him; [L because] he sent him back to us. Look, he has done nothing ·for which he should die [worthy/deserving of death]. 16 So, after I ·punish him [have him flogged], I will let him go free.” |17 Every year at the Passover Feast, Pilate had to release one prisoner to the people.|[a]
18 But ·the people [L they] shouted together, “Take this man away [C for execution]! ·Let Barabbas go free [L Release Barabbas to/for us]!” 19 (Barabbas was a man who was in prison for his part in a ·riot [insurrection] in the city and for murder.)
20 Pilate wanted to let Jesus go free and [L again] ·told this to [appealed to; addressed] the crowd. 21 But they shouted again, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
22 A third time Pilate said to them, “Why? What ·wrong [crime; evil] has he done? I can find no reason to kill him. So I will have him ·punished [flogged] and set him free.”
23 But they continued to shout, demanding that Jesus be crucified. Their ·yelling became so loud [L voices prevailed so] that 24 Pilate decided to give them what they ·wanted [requested; demanded]. 25 He set free the man who was in jail for ·rioting [insurrection] and murder, and he handed Jesus over ·to them to do with him as they wished [or as they requested; L to their will].
Jesus Is Crucified(C)
26 As they led Jesus away, Simon, a man from Cyrene [C a port city in North Africa (modern Libya)], was coming in from the ·fields [countryside; country; C Simon may be a Jewish pilgrim visiting Jerusalem for Passover or an immigrant living there]. They forced him to carry Jesus’ cross and to walk behind him.
27 A large crowd of people was following Jesus, including some women who were ·sad [mourning] and ·crying [wailing; lamenting] for him. 28 But Jesus turned and said to them, “·Women [L Daughters] of Jerusalem, don’t ·cry [weep] for me. ·Cry [Weep] for yourselves and for your children. 29 [L For look/T behold] The ·time is [days are] coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are ·the women who cannot have children [L the barren women and the wombs that never gave birth] and ·who have no babies to nurse [L the breasts that have never nursed].’ 30 Then people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ And they will say to the hills, ‘·Cover [Bury] us [Hos. 10:8]!’ 31 If they act like this now when ·life is good [L the tree is green], what will happen when ·bad times come [L it is dry; C probably an allusion to the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in ad 70]?”
32 There were also two criminals led out with Jesus to be ·put to death [executed]. 33 When they came to a place called the Skull, the soldiers crucified Jesus and the criminals—one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.”[b]
The soldiers threw lots [C similar to dice] to decide who would get his clothes [Ps. 22:18]. 35 The people stood there watching. And the leaders ·made fun of [sneered at; mocked] Jesus, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself if he is ·God’s Chosen One, the Christ [or God’s Messiah, the Chosen One].”
36 The soldiers also ·made fun of [mocked] him, coming to Jesus and offering him some ·vinegar [sour wine]. 37 They said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 ·At the top of the cross these words were written [L Above him there was also an inscription]: this is the king of the jews.
39 One of the criminals ·on a cross [L who was hanging there] began to ·shout insults at [slander; blaspheme] Jesus: “Aren’t you the ·Christ [Messiah]? Then save yourself and us.”
40 But the other criminal ·stopped [rebuked] him and said, “·You should [L Don’t you…?] fear God! You are getting the same punishment he is. 41 We are punished justly, getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise [C heaven or the presence of God].”
Jesus Dies
44 It was about ·noon [L the sixth hour; C hours were counted from dawn, about 6 AM], and the whole land became dark until ·three o’clock in the afternoon [L the ninth hour], 45 because the sun did not shine. The curtain in the Temple [C dividing the Most Holy Place from the rest of the Temple] was torn ·in two [down the middle]. 46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, ·I give you my life [L into your hands I entrust/commit my spirit; Ps. 31:5].” After Jesus said this, he ·died [expired; T breathed his last].
47 When the ·army officer [L centurion] there saw what happened, he ·praised [glorified] God, saying, “Surely this was a ·good [righteous; or innocent] man!”
48 When all the people who had gathered there to watch saw what happened, they returned home, beating their chests [C a sign of sorrow and remorse]. 49 But those who ·were close friends of Jesus [L knew him], including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance and watched [L these things].
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