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23
Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate
1 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this Man perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”
3 Then Pilate questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
He answered him and said, “You are saying what is so.”
4 But Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this Man.”
5 But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to here.”
Jesus and Herod
6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. 7 And when he found out that He belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem in those days. 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he was hoping to see some miracle done by Him. 9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood, vehemently accusing Him. 11 Then Herod, with his men of war, having treated Him with contempt, and having mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.
Jesus or Barabbas?
13 And Pilate, having called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, on the charge of misleading the people. And indeed, when I examined Him in your presence, I found no guilt in this Man in the matters which you bring as charges against Him; 15 and neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing worthy of death has been done by Him. 16 Therefore when I have flogged Him, I will release Him.” 17 (For it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast.)
18 But they all cried out together, saying, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”— 19 who because of a certain insurrection having occurred in the city had been thrown into prison, and for murder.
20 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. 21 But they cried out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!”
22 Then he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has He done? I have found no guilt deserving death in Him. Therefore when I have flogged Him, I will release Him.”
23 But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices and those of the chief priests prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their request should be carried out. 25 And he released whom they were requesting, who because of insurrection and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
Jesus Crucified
26 And as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, as he was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might carry it behind Jesus.
27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also were mourning and lamenting Him. 28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs which did not give birth, and breasts which did not nurse!’ 30 Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ 31 For if they do these things in the green tree, what will happen in the dry?”
32 And they also were leading two others with Him, evildoers, to be put to death. 33 And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him and the evildoers, one on the right, and one on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
And dividing His garments, they cast lots. 35 And the people stood, watching. And the rulers with them also were sneering, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the elect of God.”
36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
38 And an inscription also was written over Him, in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew letters:
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 Then one of the evildoers who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this Man did nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come in Your kingdom.”
43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
The Death of Jesus
44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and darkness came upon the whole land until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I will commit My spirit.’ ” And after He said these things, He breathed His last.
47 And when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!”
48 And all the crowds which came together for this spectacle, when they saw what had happened, beat their own chests and returned. 49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
The Burial of Jesus
50 And behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and righteous man 51 (this man had not agreed to their decision and deed), from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And having taken it down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth, and put it in a tomb cut out of rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation; the Sabbath was drawing near.
55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.

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© 2014 Dr. Paul W. Esposito