Study Desk

As^(aa) they led Him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian,^(ab) who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross^(ac) on him to carry behind Jesus.

A large crowd of people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him.^(ad)

But turning to them, Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem,^(ae) do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children.

Look, the days are coming^(af) when they will say, ‘The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate!'^(ag)

Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!' and to the hills, ‘Cover us!' ^(ah)[h]

For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?" ^(ai)

Two others—criminals^(aj)—were also led away to be executed with Him.

When^(ak) 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.

[Then Jesus said, "Father,^(al) forgive^(am) them, because they do not know what they are doing."^(an) ]^[i] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.^(ao)

The^(ap) people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing:^(aq) "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God's Messiah, the Chosen One!"^(ar)

The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine^(as)

and said, "If You are the King of the Jews,^(at) save Yourself!"

An inscription was above Him:^[j] THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then^(au) one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at^[k] Him: "Aren't You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!"

But the other answered, rebuking him: "Don't you even fear God,^(av) since you are undergoing the same punishment?

We are punished justly, because we're getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong."^(aw)

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me^[l](ax) when You come into Your kingdom!"^(ay)

And He said to him, "I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise." ^(az)

It^(ba) was now about noon,^[m] and darkness came over the whole land^[n] until three,^[o]

because the sun's light failed.^[p] The curtain^(bb) of the sanctuary was split down the middle.

And Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit. " ^(bc)[q] Saying this, He breathed His last.

When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify^(bd) God, saying, "This man really was righteous!"

All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.^[r](be)

But^(bf) all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance,^(bg) watching these things.

There^(bh) was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin,

who had not agreed with their plan^(bi) and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.^(bj)

He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.

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.^[s](bk)

It was preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.^[t]

The women^(bl) who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed.

Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.^(bm) And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.^(bn)