Part 39

023:018 Then the whole multitude burst out into a shout. "Away with this man," they said, "and release Barabbas to us"

023:019 --Barabbas! who had been lodged in jail for some time in connexion with a riot which had occurred in the city, and for murder.

023:020 But Pilate once more addressed them, wishing to set Jesus free.

023:021 They, however, persistently shouted, "Crucify, crucify him!"

023:022 A third time he appealed to them: "Why, what crime has the man committed? I have discovered in him nothing that deserves death. I will therefore give him a light punishment and release him."

023:023 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic outcries that He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed.

023:024 So Pilate gave judgement, yielding to their demand.

023:025 The man who was lying in prison charged with riot and murder and for whom they clamoured he set free, but Jesus he gave up to be dealt with as they desired.

023:026 As soon as they led Him away, they laid hold on one Simon, a Cyrenaean, who was coming in from the country, and on his shoulders they put the cross, for him to carry it behind Jesus.

023:027 A vast crowd of the people also followed Him, and of women who were beating their breasts and wailing for Him.

023:028 But Jesus turned towards them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

023:029 For a time is coming when they will say, `Blessed are the women who never bore children, and the breasts which have never given nourishment.'

023:030 Then will they begin to say to the mountains, `Fall on us;' and to the hills, `Cover us.'

023:031 For if they are doing these things in the case of the green tree, what will be done in that of the dry?"

023:032 They brought also two others, criminals, to put them to death with Him.

023:033 When they reached the place called `The Skull,' there they nailed Him to the cross, and the criminals also, one at His right hand and one at His left.

023:034 Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." And they divided His garments among them, drawing lots for them;

023:035 and the people stood looking on. The Rulers, too, repeatedly uttered their bitter taunts. "This fellow," they said, "saved others: let him save himself, if he is God's Anointed, the Chosen One."

023:036 And the soldiers also made sport of Him, coming and offering Him sour wine and saying,

023:037 "Are *you* the King of the Jews? Save yourself, then!"

023:038 There was moreover a writing over His head: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

023:039 Now one of the criminals who had been crucified insulted Him, saying, "Are not you the Christ? Save yourself and us."

023:040 But the other, answering, reproved him. "Do you also not fear God," he said, "when you are actually suffering the same punishment?

023:041 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving due requital for what we have done. But He has done nothing amiss."

023:042 And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your Kingdom."

023:043 "I tell you in solemn truth," replied Jesus, "that this very day you shall be with me in Paradise."

023:044 It was now about noon, and a darkness came over the whole country till three o'clock in the afternoon.

023:045 The sun was darkened, and the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn down the middle,