23:1 Then their whole assembly rose up and brought Him before Pilate.
23:2 They began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this man subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is the Messiah, a King."
23:3 So Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "You have said it."
23:4 Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no grounds for charging this man."
23:5 But they kept insisting, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where He started even to here."
23:6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean.
23:7 Finding that He was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.
23:8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see Him because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by Him.
23:9 So he kept asking Him questions, but Jesus did not answer him.
23:10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him.
23:11 Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt, mocked Him, dressed Him in a brilliant robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.
23:12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been hostile toward each other.
23:13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,
23:14 and said to them, "You have brought me this man as one who subverts the people. But in fact, after examining Him in your presence, I have found no grounds to charge this man with those things you accuse Him of.
23:15 Neither has Herod, because he sent Him back to us. Clearly, He has done nothing to deserve death.
23:16 Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him."
23:17 For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.
23:18 Then they all cried out together, "Take this man away! Release Barabbas to us!"
23:19 (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
23:20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,
23:21 but they kept shouting, "Crucify! Crucify Him!"
23:22 A third time he said to them, "Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in Him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him."
23:23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices won out.
23:25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.
23:26 As they led Him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.
23:27 A large crowd of people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him.
23:28 But turning to them, Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children.
23:29 Look, the days are coming when they will say, The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate!'
23:30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us!' and to the hills, Cover us!'
23:31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
23:32 Two others--criminals--were also led away to be executed with Him.
23:33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.
23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing." And they divided His clothes and cast lots.
23:35 The people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing: "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God's Messiah, the Chosen One!"
23:36 The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine
23:37 and said, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!"
23:38 An inscription was above Him: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
23:39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: "Aren't You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!"
23:40 But the other answered, rebuking him: "Don't you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment?
23:41 We are punished justly, because we're getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong."
23:42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!"
23:43 And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise."
23:44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three,
23:45 because the sun's light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle.
23:46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit." Saying this, He breathed His last.
23:47 When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, "This man really was righteous!"
23:48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.
23:49 But all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
23:50 There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin,
23:51 who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.
23:52 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.
23:53 Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed.
23:54 It was preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
23:55 The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed.
23:56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
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