Luke 23:1-39 ▼

1 And the entire multitude of them, rising up, led him to Pilate.

2 Then they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this one subverting our nation, and prohibiting giving tribute to Caesar, and saying that he is Christ the king.”

3 And Pilate questioned him, saying: “You are the king of the Jews?” But in response, he said: “You are saying it.”

4 Then Pilate said to the leaders of the priests and to the crowds, “I find no case against this man.”

5 But they continued more intensely, saying: “He has stirred up the people, teaching throughout all of Judea, beginning from Galilee, even to this place.”

6 But Pilate, upon hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee.

7 And when he realized that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him away to Herod, who was himself also at Jerusalem in those days.

8 Then Herod, upon seeing Jesus, was very glad. For he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard so many things about him, and he was hoping to see some kind of sign wrought by him.

9 Then he questioned him with many words. But he gave him no response at all.

10 And the leaders of the priests, and the scribes, stood firm in persistently accusing him.

11 Then Herod, with his soldiers, scorned him. And he ridiculed him, clothing him in a white garment. And he sent him back to Pilate.

12 And Herod and Pilate became friends on that day. For previously they were enemies to one another.

13 And Pilate, calling together the leaders of the priests, and the magistrates, and the people,

14 said to them: “You have brought before me this man, as one who disturbs the people. And behold, having questioned him before you, I find no case against this man, in those things about which you accuse him.

15 And neither did Herod. For I sent you all to him, and behold, nothing deserving of death was recorded about him.

16 Therefore, I will chastise him and release him.”

17 Now he was required to release one person for them on the feast day.

18 But the entire crowd exclaimed together, saying: “Take this one, and release to us Barabbas!”

19 Now he had been cast into prison because of a certain sedition that occurred in the city and for murder.

20 Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus.

21 But they shouted in response, saying: “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

22 Then he said to them a third time: “Why? What evil has he done? I find no case against him for death. Therefore, I will chastise him and release him.”

23 But they persisted, with loud voices, in demanding that he be crucified. And their voices increased in intensity.

24 And so Pilate issued a judgment granting their petition.

25 Then he released for them the one who had been cast into prison for murder and sedition, whom they were requesting. Yet truly, Jesus he handed over to their will.

26 And as they were leading him away, they apprehended a certain one, Simon of Cyrene, as he was returning from the countryside. And they imposed the cross on him to carry after Jesus.

27 Then a great crowd of people followed him, with women who were mourning and lamenting him.

28 But Jesus, turning to them, said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep over me. Instead, weep over yourselves and over your children.

29 For behold, the days will arrive in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the breasts that have not nursed.’

30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall over us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’

31 For if they do these things with green wood, what will be done with the dry?”

32 Now they also led out two other criminals with him, in order to execute them.

33 And when they arrived at the place that is called Calvary, they crucified him there, with the robbers, one to the right and the other to the left.

34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do.” And truly, dividing his garments, they cast lots.

35 And people were standing near, watching. And the leaders among them derided him, saying: “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this one is the Christ, the elect of God.”

36 And the soldiers also ridiculed him, approaching him and offering him vinegar,

37 and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38 Now there was also an inscription written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 And one of those robbers who were hanging blasphemed him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.”