Study Desk

And after about an hour had passed, some other man began to insist, saying, "Certainly this man also was with Him, for he, too, is a Galilean."

And then they said, "What further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth!"

But Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no grounds for charges in the case of this Man."

Now Herod was overjoyed when he saw Jesus; for he had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had been hearing about Him and was hoping to see some sign performed by Him.

And so Herod and Pilate became friends with one another that very day; for previously, they had been enemies toward each other.

and he said to them, "You brought this Man to me on the ground that He is inciting the people to revolt; and behold, after examining Him before you, I have found no basis at all in the case of this Man for the charges which you are bringing against Him.

"No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him.

(He was one who had been thrown into prison for a revolt that took place in the city, and for murder.)

And he said to them a third time, "Why, what has this Man done wrong? I have found in His case no grounds for a sentence of death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him."

And he released the man for whom they were asking, who had been thrown into prison for a revolt and murder; but he handed Jesus over to their will.

Now following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and grieving for Him.

But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

"For behold, days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are those who cannot bear, and the wombs that have not given birth, and the breasts that have not nursed.'

"For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

[But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."] And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves.

"And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our crimes; but this Man has done nothing wrong."

And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, after watching what had happened, began to return home, beating their chests.

(he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God—

this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

"Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?"