Part 68

15:6. Now on the festival day he was wont to release unto them one of the prisoners, whomsoever they demanded.

15:7. And there was one called Barabbas, who was put in prison with some seditious men, who in the sedition had committed murder.

15:8. And when the multitude was come up, they began to desire that he would do as he had ever done unto them.

15:9. And Pilate answered them and said: Will you that I release to you the king of the Jews?

15:10. For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him up out of envy.

15:11. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas to them.

15:12. And Pilate again answering, saith to them: What will you then that I do to the king of the Jews?

15:13. But they again cried out: Crucify him.

15:14. And Pilate saith to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more: Crucify him.

15:15. And so Pilate being willing to satisfy the people, released to them Barabbas: and delivered up Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

15:16. And the soldiers led him away into the court of the palace: and they called together the whole band.

15:17. And they clothed him with purple: and, platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon him.

15:18. And they began to salute him: Hail, king of the Jews.

15:19. And they struck his head with a reed: and they did spit on him. And bowing their knees, they adored him.

15:20. And after they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him and put his own garments on him: and they led him out to crucify him.

15:21. And they forced one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and of Rufus, to take up his cross.

15:22. And they bring him into the place called Golgotha, which being interpreted is, The place of Calvary.

15:23. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh. But he took it not.

15:24. And crucifying him, they divided his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

15:25. And it was the third hour: and they crucified him.

The third hour. . .The ancient account divided the day into four parts, which were named from the hour from which they began; the first, third, sixth, and ninth hour. Our Lord was crucified a little before noon; before the third hour had quite expired; but when the sixth hour was near at hand.

15:26. And the inscription of his cause was written over: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

15:27. And with him they crucify two thieves: the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

15:28. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith: And with the wicked he was reputed.

15:29. And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God and in three days buildest it up again:

15:30. Save thyself, coming down from the cross.

15:31. In like manner also the chief priests, mocking, said with the scribes one to another: He saved others; himself he cannot save.

15:32. Let Christ the king of Israel come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him, reviled him.