Jesus before Pilate
1The whole council rose and brought Jesus to Pilate. 2They gave their accusation: “We found this man subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ the king.”
3Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You said so.” 4Turning to the chief priests and the crowd, Pilate said, “I find no basis for a case against this man.” 5But they insisted, “All the country of the Jews is being stirred up with his teaching. He began in Galilee and now he has come all the way here.”
6When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7Finding the accused to come under Herod’s jurisdiction, Pilate sent Jesus over to Herod who happened to be in Jerusalem at that time.
8Herod was delighted to have Jesus before him now; for a long time he had wanted to see him because of the reports about him, and he was hoping to see Jesus work some miracle. 9He piled up question upon question, but got no reply from Jesus.
10All the while the chief priests and the scribes remained standing there, vehemently pressing their accusations. 11Finally, Herod ridiculed him and with his guards mocked him. And when he had put a rich cloak on him, he sent him back to Pilate. 12Pilate and Herod who were enemies before, became friends from that day.
13Pilate then called together the chief priests and the elders before all the people, 14and said to them, “You have brought this man before me and accused him of subversion. In your presence I have examined him and found no basis for your charges. 15And neither has Herod, for he sent him back to me. It is quite clear that this man has done nothing that deserves a death sentence. 16I will therefore have him scourged and then release him.” ( 17On the Passover Pilate had to release a prisoner.)
18Howling as one man, they protested: “No! Away with this man! Release Barabbas instead.” 19This man had been thrown into prison for an uprising in the city and for murder.
20Since Pilate wanted to release Jesus, he appealed to the crowd once more, 21but they shouted back, “To the cross with him! To the cross!” 22A third time Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? Since no crime deserving death has been proved, I shall have him scourged and let him go.”
23But they went on shouting and demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their shouts grew louder. 24So Pilate decided to pass the sentence they demanded. 25He released the man they asked for, the one who was in prison for rebellion and murder, and he delivered Jesus in accordance with their wishes.
The way of Calvary
26When they led Jesus away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the fields, and laid the cross on him, to carry it behind Jesus.
27A large crowd of people followed him; among them were women beating their breast and wailing for him, 28but Jesus turned to them and said, “Women of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, weep rather for yourselves and for your children. 29For the days are coming when people will say: ‘Happy are the women without child! Happy are those who have not given birth or nursed a child! 30And they will say to the mountains: Fall on us! And to the hills: Cover us!” 31For if this is the lot of the green wood, what will happen to the dry?”
32Along with Jesus, two criminals also were led out to be executed. 33There at the place called The Skull he was crucified together with the criminals – one on his right and another on his left. ( 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.”) And the guards cast lots to divide his clothes among themselves.
35The people stood by watching. As for the rulers, they jeered at him, saying to one another, “Let the man who saved others now save himself, for he is the Messiah, the chosen one of God!” 36The soldiers also mocked him and when they drew near to offer him bitter wine, 37they said, “So you are the king of the Jews? Free yourself!” 38For above him was an inscription which read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39One of the criminals hanging with Jesus insulted him, “So you are the Messiah? Save yourself and us as well!” 40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Have you no fear of God, you who received the same sentence as he did? 41For us it is just: this is payment for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your king dom.” 43Jesus replied, “Truly, you will be with me today in paradise.”
44It was now about noon. 45The sun was hidden and darkness came over the whole land until mid-afternoon; and at that time the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two. 46Then Jesus gave a loud cry, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” And saying that, he gave up his spirit.
47The captain on seeing what had happened, acknowledged the hand of God. He said, “Surely this was an upright man.” 48And all the people who had gathered to watch the spectacle, as soon as they saw what had happened went home beating their breasts. 49Only those who knew Jesus stood at a distance, especially the women who had followed him from Galilee; they witnessed all this.
50Then intervened a member of the Jewish supreme council, a good and righteous man named Joseph 51from the Judean town of Arimathea. He had not agreed with the decision and action of his fellow members, for he lived uprightly in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God. 52He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53He then took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid it in a yet unused tomb cut out of a rock.
54It was Preparation Day and the star which marks the beginning of the Sabbath was shining. 55So the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph to see the tomb and how his body was being placed. 56And returning home, they prepared perfumes and ointments.
