The Life of Jesus

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.”

The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine.

“If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!”

Above Him was posted an inscription: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!”

But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment?

We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”

And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour.

The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.

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.

When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.”

And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts.

But all those who knew Jesus, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.

Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man,

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.

He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.

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.

It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning.

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed.

Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.