Jesus Before Pilate and Herod
Study note
The whole council brings Jesus to Pilate with political accusations: misleading the nation, forbidding taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king. Pilate finds no guilt in Him and sends Him to Herod, who is delighted to see Jesus but receives no answers to his questions. Herod's soldiers mock Jesus, dress Him in a fine robe, and send Him back. Remarkably, Pilate and Herod become friends that day -- united in their recognition of Jesus' innocence yet unable or unwilling to release Him.
1 The entire assembly got up and brought Jesus before Pilate. And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
2 They began accusing him: "We caught this man misleading our people. He tells them not to pay taxes to Caesar. And he claims to be the Messiah, a King." And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
3 Pilate asked him directly, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Those are your words." And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
4 Pilate turned to the chief priests and the crowd and said, "I do not find this man guilty of anything." Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
5 But they pushed harder, insisting, "He is stirring up trouble among the people with his teaching all across Judaea. He started in Galilee and has spread it all the way here." And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
6 When Pilate heard the word "Galilee," he asked if the man was from that region. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilæan.
7 When he learned that Jesus was from Herod's area, he sent him to Herod. Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
8 Herod was thrilled to finally see Jesus. He had been wanting to meet him for a long time because of all the stories he had heard. He was hoping to watch Jesus do a miracle. And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
9 He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus did not say a single word. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 Meanwhile, the chief priests and religion teachers stood there accusing him with everything they had. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
11 Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and ridicule. They dressed him up in an elegant robe as a joke and sent him back to Pilate. And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
12 That very day, Herod and Pilate went from being enemies to being friends. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
Jesus Sentenced to Crucifixion
Study note
Pilate announces to the chief priests and people that neither he nor Herod found Jesus guilty of anything deserving death and proposes to whip and release Him. But the crowd shouts for Barabbas, a man imprisoned for rebellion and murder, and demands Jesus' crucifixion. Three times Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the crowd's voices prevail. Pilate releases Barabbas and hands Jesus over to their will. The innocent is condemned so the guilty can go free -- an unwitting picture of the gospel itself.
13 Pilate gathered the chief priests, the leaders, and the people together. And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14 He told them, "You brought this man to me and accused him of leading people astray. I have questioned him before you and found nothing wrong with him -- none of the charges you are making." Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15 "Herod did not find him guilty either, which is why he sent him back to us. Clearly, this man has done nothing that deserves the death penalty." No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
16 "So I will have him punished with a flogging and then let him go." I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
17 (He was expected to release one prisoner to them during the festival.) (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
18 But the whole crowd screamed together, "Get rid of him! Give us Barabbas instead!" And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
19 (Barabbas was in prison for starting a riot in the city and for committing murder.) (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
20 Pilate tried again, wanting to set Jesus free. Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
21 But they kept screaming, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
22 For the third time Pilate said, "Why? What crime has he committed? I have found nothing in him that deserves death. I will have him flogged and release him." And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
23 But they kept screaming louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified. Their shouting overwhelmed everything else. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
24 Pilate gave in and granted their demand. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
25 He freed the man who was in prison for rioting and murder -- the one the crowd wanted. Then he handed Jesus over for them to do whatever they wanted. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
The Road to Calvary
Study note
Simon of Cyrene is seized and forced to carry Jesus' cross. Women in the crowd mourn and weep for Him, but Jesus turns and tells them to weep for themselves and their children, prophesying the terrible days ahead for Jerusalem. His words 'If they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?' suggest that if an innocent man suffers this much, the judgment on the guilty nation will be far worse.
26 As they led Jesus away, they grabbed a man named Simon from Cyrene who was walking in from the countryside. They loaded the cross onto his back and made him carry it behind Jesus. And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
27 A great crowd trailed behind, including many women who were sobbing and wailing for him. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28 Jesus turned to the women and said, "Women of Jerusalem, do not cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children." But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29 "A time is coming when people will say, 'How lucky are the women who never had children. Lucky are those who never gave birth or nursed a baby.'" For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30 "That is when people will beg the mountains, 'Fall on us!' and plead with the hills, 'Bury us!'" Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31 "Because if people do this when things are still green and growing, what will happen when everything has dried up?" For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
The Crucifixion
Study note
Jesus is crucified at Calvary between two criminals. In one of the most remarkable statements in Scripture, He prays, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' The rulers mock Him, the soldiers offer sour wine, and a sign reads 'This is the King of the Jews.' One criminal insults Him, but the other rebukes his companion and asks Jesus to remember him. Jesus promises, 'Today you will be with me in paradise' -- salvation given freely to a dying man who has nothing to offer but faith.
32 Two criminals were also being led out to be killed alongside Jesus. And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33 When they reached the place called Calvary, they nailed Jesus to the cross, with one criminal on his right and the other on his left. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them -- they have no idea what they are doing." The soldiers divided up his clothes by rolling dice for them. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
35 The crowd stood and watched. The leaders sneered, saying, "He rescued everybody else. If he truly is God's chosen Messiah, let him rescue himself." And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36 The soldiers also mocked him. They walked up and offered him cheap, sour wine, And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37 saying, "If you are truly the King of the Jews, save yourself!" And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38 Above his head they had posted a sign written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 One of the criminals hanging there hurled insults at him: "Are you not supposed to be the Messiah? Then save yourself and save us too!" And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other criminal scolded him: "Do you not even fear God? You are getting the same punishment he is." But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 "We earned our punishment -- we are getting exactly what we deserve for what we did. But this man never did a single thing wrong." And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 Then he turned to Jesus and said, "Jesus, please remember me when you enter your kingdom." And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 Jesus told him, "I give you my word -- today you will be with me in paradise." And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The Death of Jesus
Study note
Darkness covers the land for three hours, and the temple curtain tears in two -- the barrier between God and humanity is removed. Jesus cries out, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,' and breathes His last. The centurion glorifies God, saying He was surely a righteous man. The crowds who gathered to watch beat their chests and go home. Those who knew Jesus, including the women from Galilee, stand at a distance watching. Even in death, Jesus' trust in the Father is complete.
44 It was about noon, and darkness covered the entire land until three in the afternoon. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
45 The sun stopped shining, and the huge curtain hanging inside the temple ripped right down the middle. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
46 Jesus shouted out, "Father, I place my spirit in your hands." After saying that, he took his last breath. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
47 When the Roman centurion saw what happened, he praised God and said, "This man truly was innocent." Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
48 Everyone in the crowd who had come to watch beat their chests in grief as they turned to walk home. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
49 All the people who knew Jesus stood at a distance and watched everything happen. This included the women who had traveled with him from Galilee. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
The Burial of Jesus
Study note
Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the council who had not agreed with their decision, asks Pilate for Jesus' body. He wraps it in linen and places it in a new tomb cut from stone. The women from Galilee follow, see where the body is laid, and go home to prepare spices and ointments before resting on the Sabbath as the commandment required. Even in burial, faithful followers attend to Jesus, and the stage is set for Sunday morning.
50 A man named Joseph appeared. He was a member of the Jewish council and was known for being good and doing what was right. And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
51 He had disagreed with what the council decided and did. He came from the town of Arimathaea in Judaea, and he had been eagerly waiting for God's kingdom. (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
52 Joseph went to Pilate and requested the body of Jesus. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
53 He took the body down from the cross, wrapped it carefully in linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb that had been carved out of rock. No one had ever been buried there before. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
54 It was Friday afternoon, Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to start. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed along and saw the tomb. They watched how his body was placed inside. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
56 Then they went home and prepared burial spices and perfumed oils. But they rested all day on the Sabbath, obeying the commandment. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.