1
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Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. |
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2
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And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” |
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3
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So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. |
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4
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Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” |
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5
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But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.” |
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6
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When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. |
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7
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And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time. |
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8
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When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle. |
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9
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Herod questioned Jesus at great length, but He gave no answer. |
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10
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Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him. |
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11
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And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. |
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12
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That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies. |
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13
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Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, |
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14
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and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. |
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15
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Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death. |
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16
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Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.” |
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17
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18
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But they all cried out in unison: “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” |
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19
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(Barabbas had been imprisoned for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) |
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20
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Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate addressed them again, |
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21
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but they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” |
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22
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A third time he said to them, “What evil has this man done? I have found in Him no offense worthy of death. So after I punish Him, I will release Him.” |
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23
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But they were insistent, demanding with loud voices for Jesus to be crucified. And their clamor prevailed. |
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24
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So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met. |
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25
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As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and handed Jesus over to their will. |
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26
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As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. |
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27
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A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him. |
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28
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But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. |
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29
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Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’ |
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30
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At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ |
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31
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For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” |
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32
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Two others, who were criminals, were also led away to be executed with Jesus. |
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33
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When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. |
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34
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Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. |
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35
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The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” |
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36
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The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. |
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37
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“If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!” |
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38
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Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. |
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39
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One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!” |
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40
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But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? |
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41
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We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” |
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42
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Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” |
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43
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And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” |
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44
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It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. |
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45
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The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. |
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46
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Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last. |
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47
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When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.” |
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48
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And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts. |
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49
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But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things. |
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50
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Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man, |
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51
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who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was waiting for the kingdom of God. |
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52
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He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. |
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53
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Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. |
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54
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It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning. |
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55
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The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed. |
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56
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Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment. |
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