1 The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate.

2 They accused him, saying: »We found this man perverting our nation. He forbids payment of tax to Caesar. He claims to be Christ a king.«

3 Pilate asked him: »Are you King of the Jews?« He answered him: »You say it.«

4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds: »I find no fault in this man.«

5 They were more insistent saying: »He excites the people throughout all Judea, beginning in Galilee even to this place.«

6 When Pilate heard it, he asked if the man was a Galilean.

7 When he knew that he was from Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod. He was in Jerusalem at that time.

8 Herod was very happy to see Jesus. He had wanted to see him for a long time. He hoped to see him perform a miracle.

9 He offered many questions but received no answers.

10 The chief priests and the scribes vehemently accused him.

11 And Herod with his soldiers despised him with contempt, and mocked him. They arrayed him in magnificent apparel. Then they sent him back to Pilate.

12 Herod and Pilate became friends that day. Before that time they were at enmity.

13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people.

14 He said: »You brought this man to me as one who perverted the people. I examined him before you and find no fault in this man. He has not done the things you accuse him of.

15 »Herod found no fault and sent him back to us. He has done nothing worthy of death.

16 »I will therefore punish him, and release him.«

17 He must release one prisoner to them at the feast.

18 They cried out in unison: »Take this man away and release to us Barabbas!«

19 He was thrown into prison for insurrection sedition in the city and murder.

20 Pilate spoke to them again desiring to release Jesus.

21 But they shouted, »Impale him! Impale him!«

22 A third time he said to them: »Why, what evil has this man done? I have found no reason to put him to death. I will therefore chastise him and release him.«

23 But they were insistent and spoke in loud voices asking him to impale him. And they prevailed.

24 Pilate pronounced a sentence that what they asked for should be done.

25 He released the man who was in prison for insurrection and murder and he delivered Jesus to their will.

26 They led him away. Simon of Cyrene was traveling from the country. They seized him and forced him to carry the stake for Jesus.

27 A great crowd of people followed. Many women cried and grieved over him.

28 Jesus turned to them and said: »Daughters of Jerusalem do not weep for me but weep for yourselves and for your children.

29 »The days are coming when they will say blessed are the barren those without children and the breasts that never nursed.

30 »Then they will say to the mountains fall on us and to the hills cover us.

31 »If they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?«

32 Two criminals were to be put to death with him.

33 They came to the place called the skull. They impaled him and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.

34 Jesus said: »Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.« This verse not found in older manuscripts. They cast lots and divided his garments among themselves.

35 The people stood watching while the rulers scoffed at him, saying: »He saved others let him save himself if this is his chosen, the Christ of God.«

36 The soldiers mocked him and offered him vinegar,

37 saying: »If you are the King of the Jews save yourself.«

38 There was a superscription over him, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals who were hanged complained bitterly to him saying: »Are you the Christ? Save yourself and us.«

40 The other rebuked him saying: »Do you not respect God, seeing you are also condemned?

41 »We are indeed justly condemned for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing wrong.«

42 He said: »Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.«

43 He replied: »Today I tell you this. You will be with me in paradise.«

44 It was about the sixth hour. Darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.

45 The sun failed to shine. The veil of the temple was torn in two.

46 Jesus cried with a loud voice: »Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.« After saying this he quit breathing.

47 The centurion saw what was done and glorified God, saying: »Certainly this was a righteous man.«

48 The crowds gathered at this sight. When they saw the things that were done they left beating their breasts.

49 All of his friends and the women who followed him from Galilee stood watching from a distance.

50 Joseph was a member of the council and a good and righteous man.

51 He was from Arimathaea a city of the Jews and was looking for the kingdom of God.

52 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

53 He took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth. Then he laid him in a tomb that was carved in stone. No man had ever lain in this tomb.

54 It was the day of the Preparation and the Sabbath was near.

55 The women from Galilee went with him to see the tomb and the place for the body.

56 They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.