26
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.
27
A vast crowd of the people also followed Him, and of women who were beating their breasts and wailing for Him.
28
But Jesus turned towards them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29
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.'
30
Then will they begin to say to the mountains, `Fall on us;' and to the hills, `Cover us.'
31
For if they are doing these things in the case of the green tree, what will be done in that of the dry?"
32
They brought also two others, criminals, to put them to death with Him.
33
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.
34
Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing." And they divided His garments among them, drawing lots for them;
35
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."
36
And the soldiers also made sport of Him, coming and offering Him sour wine and saying
37
"Are *you* the King of the Jews? Save yourself, then!"
38
There was moreover a writing over His head: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS
39
Now one of the criminals who had been crucified insulted Him, saying, "Are not you the Christ? Save yourself and us."
40
But the other, answering, reproved him. "Do you also not fear God," he said, "when you are actually suffering the same punishment?
41
And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving due requital for what we have done. But He has done nothing amiss."
42
And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your Kingdom."
43
"I tell you in solemn truth," replied Jesus, "that this very day you shall be with me in Paradise."
44
It was now about noon, and a darkness came over the whole country till three o'clock in the afternoon.
45
The sun was darkened, and the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn down the middle,
46
and Jesus cried out in a loud voice, and said, "Father, to Thy hands I entrust my spirit." And after uttering these words He yielded up His spirit.
47
The Captain, seeing what had happened, gave glory to God, saying, "Beyond question this man was innocent."
48
And all the crowds that had come together to this sight, after seeing all that had occurred, returned to the city beating their breasts.
49
But all His acquaintances, and the women who had been His followers after leaving Galilee, continued standing at a distance and looking on.
50
There was a member of the Council of the name of Joseph, a kind-hearted and upright man,
51
who came from the Jewish town of Arimathaea and was awaiting the coming of the Kingdom of God. He had not concurred in the design or action of the Council,
52
and now he went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
53
Then, taking it down, he wrapped it in a linen sheet and laid it in a tomb in the rock, where no one else had yet been put.
54
It was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was near at hand.
55
The women--those who had come with Jesus from Galilee--followed close behind, and saw the tomb and how His body was placed.
56
Then they returned, and prepared spices and perfumes. On the Sabbath they rested in obedience to the Commandment.