Chapter 23

23:1Then their whole assembly rose up and brought Him before Pilate. 2They 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."
3So Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?"
He answered him, "You have said it."
4Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no grounds for charging this man."
5But they kept insisting, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where He started even to here."
6When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7Finding that He was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days. 8Herod 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. 9So he kept asking Him questions, but Jesus did not answer him. 10The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him. 11Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt, mocked Him, dressed Him in a brilliant robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been hostile toward each other.
13Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and 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. 15Neither has Herod, because he sent Him back to us. Clearly, He has done nothing to deserve death. 16Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him." 17[For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.]
18Then they all cried out together, "Take this man away! Release Barabbas to us!" 19(He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
20Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 21but they kept shouting, "Crucify! Crucify Him!"
22A 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."
23But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices won out. 24So Pilate decided to grant their demand 25and 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.
26As 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. 27A large crowd of people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him. 28But turning to them, Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29Look, 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!' 30Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' 31For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
32Two others-criminals-were also led away to be executed with Him. 33When 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. 34[Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing."] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.
35The 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!" 36The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine 37and said, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!"
38An inscription was above Him:

THIS IS

THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: "Aren't You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!"
40But the other answered, rebuking him: "Don't you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41We are punished justly, because we're getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong." 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!"
43And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise."
44It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, 45because the sun's light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46And Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit." Saying this, He breathed His last.
47When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, "This man really was righteous!" 48All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. 49But all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
50There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, 51who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. 52He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 53Taking 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. 54It was preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed. 56Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.