Study Desk

"Shall I release for you the King of the Jews?" answered Pilate.

For he could see that it was out of sheer spite that the High Priests had handed Him over.

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the mob, released Barabbas for them, and after scourging Jesus handed Him over for crucifixion.

And all the passers-by reviled Him. They shook their heads at Him and said, "Ah! you who were for destroying the Sanctuary and building a new one in three days,

Some of the bystanders, hearing Him, said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah!"

all of whom in the Galilaean days had habitually been with Him and cared for Him, as well as many other women who had come up to Jerusalem with Him.

Joseph of Arimathaea came, a highly respected member of the Council, who himself also was living in expectation of the Kingdom of God. He summoned up courage to go in to see Pilate and beg for the body of Jesus.

But Pilate could hardly believe that He was already dead. He called, however, for the Centurion and inquired whether He had been long dead;

and they were saying to one another, `Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"

But then, looking up, they saw that the stone was already rolled back: for it was of immense size.

But he said to them, "Do not be terrified. It is Jesus you are looking for--the Nazarene who has been crucified. He has come back to life: He is not here: this is the place where they laid Him.

So they came out, and fled from the tomb, for they were greatly agitated and surprised; and they said not a word to any one, for they were afraid.

it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts from their commencement, to write for you, most noble Theophilus, a connected account,

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your petition has been heard: and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call his name John.

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; no wine or fermented drink shall he ever drink; but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth.

and he will be His forerunner in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn fathers' hearts to the children, and cause the rebellious to walk in the wisdom of the upright, to make a people perfectly ready for the lord."

"By what proof," asked Zechariah, "shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is far advanced in years."

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were surprised that he stayed so long in the Sanctuary.

But the angel said, "Do not be frightened, Mary, for you have found favour with God.

and He will be King over the House of Jacob for the Ages, and of His Kingdom there will be no end."