Luke 23:1-43 ▼

1 At length the whole assembly broke up, and Jesus was conducted to Pilate:

2 and thus they began their charge, we found this man subverting our nation, opposing the giving tribute to Cesar, asserting that he himself is Christ the king.

3 then Pilate ask'd him, art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answer'd him, 'tis as you say.

4 at last Pilate said to the chief priests, and to the people, I don't find any crime in this man.

5 but they were the more vehement, saying, he promotes sedition by speading such doctrine thro' all Judea, from Galilee to this place.

6 when Pilate heard of Galilee, he ask'd whether the man were a Galilean.

7 and finding that he belong'd to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was then likewise at Jerusalem.

8 When Herod saw Jesus he was extremely pleased; for he had long desired to see him, having heard much of him, and hoped to see him perform some miracle.

9 he plyed him therefore with many interrogatories,

10 but Jesus made him no answer, tho' the chief priests and Scribes maintain'd their charge with vehemence.

11 then Herod and his retinue treated him with contempt, and in derision sent him back magnificently dress'd to Pilate.

12 and from that day the enmity that had been between Pilate and Herod ended in friendship.

13 Pilate having order'd the chief priests, the senators, and people to appear, he said to them,

14 you have represented this man to me as one that was stirring up the people to a revolt: you see I have examin'd him in your presence; yet I don't find he is guilty of the crimes you have laid to his charge: no, nor even Herod;

15 for I referr'd you to him, and you see nothing that is capital, has been made out against him.

16 I will therefore order him to be whipp'd, and then release him.

17 now as it was customary for the governor to release one of the prisoners at the feast;

18 all the people cry'd out, let this man die, and release to us Barabbas.

19 Barabbas had been imprison'd for murder in a riot he had rais'd in the city.

20 Pilate therefore, desirous to release Jesus, expostulated with them again.

21 but they cry'd out, crucify him, crucify him.

22 however he urg'd it a third time, why, what crime has he done? I don't find he has done any thing that deserves death: I will therefore order him to be whipp'd, and so dismiss him.

23 but they persisted with great clamour in their demands, to have him crucified: and as the people and chief priests redoubled their clamours,

24 Pilate determin'd to grant their request.

25 accordingly he discharg'd the prisoner they desired, him that was committed for riot and murder; but he abandon'd Jesus to their discretion.

26 As they were conducting him to execution, they seiz'd upon one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming to town, and oblig'd him to carry the cross after Jesus,

27 who was followed by a great crowd of people, and several women, who beat their breasts and lamented him.

28 but Jesus turn'd about and said to them, daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for your selves, and for your children.

29 for now the time is coming, when it will be said, happy are the barren, and they who never bare, happy the breast, that never gave suck.

30 then shall they cry to the mountains, fall on us; and to the hills, cover us.

31 for if the green wood burn thus, how will the dry wood flame?

32 At the same time, two malefactors were led along to be crucified with Jesus.

33 accordingly, when they came to the place call'd Calvary, they crucified him there, and the two malefactors; the one at his right, the other at his left.

34 and Jesus said, "father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." then they divided his raiment among them by throwing lots,

35 while the people who stood looking on, and the senators themselves contemptuously said, he sav'd others; if he be Christ, the elect of God, let him save himself.

36 the soldiers too, who came to bring him vinegar, insulted him,

37 saying, if thou art the king of the Jews, save thy self.

38 they likewise put the following inscription over his head, in Greek, in Latin, and in Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 Now one of the malefactors, that was crucified with him, impiously said, if thou art the Christ, save thy self, and us.

40 but the other answered, and thus reprov'd him, art thou under no awe of God, thou that art condemned to the same punishment?

41 as for us, it is with justice, that we suffer the penalty due to our crimes: but as for him, what misdemeanour has he been guilty of?

42 then said he to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you enter into your kingdom.

43 Jesus answer'd, verily I tell you, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.