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Those who passed by insulted him. They shook their heads
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and said, "You were going to tear down God's temple and build it again in three days. Save yourself! If you're the Son of God, come down from the cross."
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The chief priests together with the scribes and the leaders made fun of him in the same way. They said,
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"He saved others, but he can't save himself. So he's Israel's king! Let him come down from the cross now, and we'll believe him.
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He trusted God. Let God rescue him now if he wants. After all, this man said, 'I am the Son of God.'"
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Even the criminals crucified with him were insulting him the same way.
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At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
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About three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
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When some of the people standing there heard him say that, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
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One of the men ran at once, took a sponge, and soaked it in some vinegar. Then he put it on a stick and offered Jesus a drink.
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The others said, "Leave him alone! Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."