Luke 23; John 18–19

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Luke 23

Jesus Before Pilate

cThen the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man dmisleading our nation and eforbidding us to give tribute to fCaesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, ga king. hAnd Pilate asked him, iAre you the King of the Jews? And he answered him, jYou have said so. Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, kI find no guilt in this man. But they were urgent, saying, He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, lfrom Galilee even to this place.

Jesus Before Herod

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to mHerod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, nfor he had long desired to see him, obecause he had heard about him, and he was hoping pto see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers qtreated him with contempt and rmocked him. Then, sarraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And tHerod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and uthe rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, You brought me this man vas one who was misleading the people. And wafter examining him before you, behold, I xdid not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for yhe sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 zI will therefore punish and release him.1

Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified

18 aBut they all cried out together, bAway with this man, and release to us Barabbas 19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and cfor murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, 21 but they kept shouting, Crucify, crucify him! 22 A third time he said to them, Why? dWhat evil has he done? eI have found in him no guilt deserving death. fI will therefore punish and release him. 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison gfor insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, hbut he delivered Jesus over to their will.

The Crucifixion

26 iAnd as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were jmourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, kthe days are coming when they will say, lBlessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed! 30 mThen they will begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us, and to the hills, Cover us. 31 For nif they do these things when othe wood is green, what will happen owhen it is dry?

32 pTwo others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 qAnd when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, pone on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, Father, rforgive them, sfor they know not what they do.2 And they cast lots tto divide his garments. 35 And uthe people stood by, watching, vbut wthe rulers xscoffed at him, saying, yHe saved others; zlet him save himself, aif he is bthe Christ of God, chis Chosen One! 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and doffering him sour wine 37 and saying, eIf you are fthe King of the Jews, save yourself! 38 gThere was also an inscription over him,3 This is fthe King of the Jews.

39 hOne of the criminals who were hanged irailed at him,4 saying, Are you not jthe Christ? Save yourself and us! 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong. 42 And he said, Jesus, remember me kwhen you come into your kingdom. 43 And he said to him, Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in lparadise.

The Death of Jesus

44 mIt was now about the sixth hour,5 and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,6 45 while the sun’s light failed. And nthe curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, ocalling out with a loud voice, said, Father, pinto your hands I qcommit my spirit! And having said this rhe breathed his last. 47 Now swhen the centurion saw what had taken place, the praised God, saying, Certainly this man was innocent! 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home ubeating their breasts. 49 And all vhis acquaintances and wthe women who had followed him from Galilee xstood at a distance watching these things.

Jesus Is Buried

50 yNow there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he zwas looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and alaid him in a tomb cut in stone, bwhere no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of cPreparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.7 55 dThe women ewho had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and fprepared spices and ointments.

On the Sabbath they rested gaccording to the commandment.


John 18–19

Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

When Jesus had spoken these words, nhe went out with his disciples across othe brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew pthe place, for qJesus often met there with his disciples. rSo Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, sknowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, tWhom do you seek? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am he.1 Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. uWhen Jesus2 said to them, I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, tWhom do you seek? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go. vThis was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one. 10 Then Simon Peter, whaving a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant3 and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword into its sheath; xshall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?

Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas

12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews4 arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they yled him to zAnnas, for he was the father-in-law of aCaiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews bthat it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus

15 cSimon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 dbut Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 eThe servant girl at the door said to Peter, You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you? He said, I am not. 18 Now the servants5 and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. fPeter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

19 gThe high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, I have spoken hopenly ito the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. jI have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said. 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, kIs that how you answer the high priest? 23 Jesus answered him, If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me? 24 lAnnas then sent him bound to lCaiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus Again

25 mNow Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, You also are not one of his disciples, are you? He denied it and said, I am not. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of nthe man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, Did I not see you oin the garden with him? 27 Peter again denied it, and pat once a rooster crowed.

Jesus Before Pilate

28 qThen they led Jesus rfrom the house of Caiaphas to sthe governor’s headquarters.6 It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, tso that they would not be defiled, ubut could eat the Passover. 29 vSo Pilate went outside to them and said, What accusation do you bring against this man? 30 They answered him, If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you. 31 Pilate said to them, wTake him yourselves and judge him by your own law. The Jews said to him, It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death. 32 xThis was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken yto show by what kind of death he was going to die.

My Kingdom Is Not of This World

33 zSo Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, aAre you the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered, Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done? 36 Jesus answered, bMy kingdom cis not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, dmy servants would have been fighting, that eI might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. 37 Then Pilate said to him, So you are a king? Jesus answered, fYou say that I am a king. gFor this purpose I was born and for this purpose hI have come into the worldito bear witness to the truth. jEveryone who is kof the truth llistens to my voice. 38 Pilate said to him, What is truth?

After he had said this, mhe went back outside to the Jews and told them, nI find no guilt in him. 39 oBut you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? 40 They cried out again, pNot this man, but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.7

Jesus Delivered to Be Crucified

Then Pilate took Jesus and qflogged him. rAnd the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that sI find no guilt in him. So Jesus came out, wearing tthe crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, uBehold the man! When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, Crucify him, crucify him! Pilate said to them, vTake him yourselves and crucify him, for wI find no guilt in him. The Jews8 answered him, We have a law, and xaccording to that law he ought to die because yhe has made himself the Son of God. When Pilate heard this statement, zhe was even more afraid. aHe entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, bWhere are you from? But cJesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you? 11 Jesus answered him, dYou would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore ehe who delivered me over to you fhas the greater sin.

12 From then on gPilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. hEveryone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar. 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on ithe judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic9 Gabbatha. 14 Now it was jthe day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour.10 He said to the Jews, kBehold your King! 15 They cried out, lAway with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate said to them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 16 mSo he ndelivered him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

So they took Jesus, 17 and ohe went out, pbearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 qThere they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate ralso wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for sthe place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Do not write, The King of the Jews, but rather, This man said, I am King of the Jews. 22 Pilate answered, tWhat I have written I have written.

23 uWhen the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic.11 But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be. vThis was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

wThey divided my garments among them,

and for my clothing they cast lots.

So the soldiers did these things, 25 xbut standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and ythe disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, zWoman, behold, your son! 27 Then he said to the disciple, Behold, your mother! And from that hour the disciple took her to ahis own home.

The Death of Jesus

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now bfinished, said (vto fulfill the Scripture), cI thirst. 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, dso they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, eIt is finished, and he bowed his head and fgave up his spirit.

Jesus’ Side Is Pierced

31 Since it was gthe day of Preparation, and hso that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was ia high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other jwho had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out kblood and water. 35 lHe who saw it has borne witnessmhis testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truthnthat you also may believe. 36 oFor these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: pNot one of his bones qwill be broken. 37 And again another Scripture says, rThey will look on him whom they have pierced.

Jesus Is Buried

38 sAfter these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly tfor fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 uNicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus12 by night, came vbringing a mixture of wmyrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds13 in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and xbound it in ylinen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a zgarden, and ain the garden a new tomb bin which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish cday of Preparation, dsince the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.