Father, Forgive Them
Happy Easter everyone! Maria and I are very thankful to God and our Boston coworkers for allowing us with the blessing to come to attend this beautiful Easter conference. This weekend we want to meditate on the meaning of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. Up to this point, Jesus had already gone through much suffering. He had been betrayed to his enemies by one of his disciples. His most faithful and beloved disciple Peter had denied him three times. He was mocked and called a blasphemer by the religious leaders. He was led around from one court to another in mock trials. Though innocent of all crimes, he was found guilty. He was beaten and whipped by the cruel Roman soldiers. If all these were not enough, now he was on his way, carrying the heavy cross on his back to be crucified. There are many unbelievers in the world who think that God does not understand our sufferings. Or they may ask, “If God exists, why does He allow suffering in the world?” But be assured of this, there is no one in human history that suffered more than Jesus, the Son of God. But there was a clear reason for Jesus’ sufferings. That is why it’s vital for us to understand the meaning of his suffering. Most of all, we want to learn from Jesus the meaning of his words on the cross, “Father, forgive them.”
“Father, Forgive Them.”
Luke 23:26-56
Key Verse 23:34a
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”
Look at verses 26-31. “26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” In these opening verses, we learn about a man identified as “Simon of Cyrene.” How did he get involved in Jesus’ sufferings? One of the Roman soldiers in the procession ordered Simon from Cyrene to carry the cross because Jesus was too weak due to exhaustion, beatings, and lack of food and sleep. [Pic 1] Since the Romans were the dominating power, they could choose whomever they wanted in the public. When we think of it more, Simon looked like an innocent victim. It seemed to be his unlucky day. He had saved his money in order to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with the other thousands of people. It was a festive mood and possibly for him a once in a lifetime opportunity. But by God’s providence, he was chosen and it had an everlasting effect upon his life. Later, in the books of Mark and Romans, we can infer that he and his family became believers. Simon saw the salvation of God face to face. He experienced a little bit of what Jesus had to go through for the salvation of the world. When God gives us a cross to carry, we should not shun from it, but embrace it, knowing that we are sharing, though just a fraction, in Jesus’ sufferings. Notice also, it is written that Simon was carrying the cross behind Jesus. Jesus has set the example for us to follow him. Carrying our cross given to us from God will not only bless us and others, but our family, friends, and our country as well. Amen.
When my family went to Ukraine as our cross of mission, during our first years, Maria and I had second thoughts about if we had made the right decision. Why only our family? Were we the unlucky ones? [Pic 2] But after serving in Ukraine after 20 years we realized we were the blessed ones because God used ordinary people like us to do His extraordinary work. God blessed the ministry at Podil UBF and we are greatly blessed and thankful to participate in this cross of mission. [Pic 3] I always remember what William Carey, the first missionary to India said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” [Pic 4] Our cross of mission is not for ourselves, for our egos, or even for UBF, but for the glory of God and His honor. Amen.
Next, while on the road to Golgotha, where Jesus would be crucified, he met a group of women who were weeping for him. We don’t know who they were. Perhaps they were weeping when they saw innocent men like Jesus being beaten and judged by their enemy occupiers. But Jesus told them not to weep for him, but weep for themselves and for their children. Jesus was prophesying about the judgment of God coming upon the nation of Israel. Forty years after Jesus’ crucifixion, about 70 A.D., the Roman army would come to destroy their nation, killing up to 1 million Jews for their insurrection against Rome. We also learn a spiritual lesson from Jesus’ words. More terrible than the Roman army’s destruction on Jerusalem would be God’s final judgment on the whole world. When God’s terrible and awesome power will be revealed at Jesus’ return, men will try to hide under mountain and rocks. Revelation 6:16-17 reads, “16…calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?’” But they will not be able to escape God’s final judgment. We should weep because of our sins that caused Jesus, the Son of God, to be crucified on the cross. That is why we go to the cross of Jesus, to ask God to forgive our sins and save us from God’s final judgment on all mankind. Finally, they reached the top of the hill where they crucified Jesus with two criminals on each side of him.
Look at verses 32-33. “32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.” Jesus was executed with two criminals next to him, to make him guilty by association. In all appearance, Jesus looked guilty for committing some kind of terrible crime. But Jesus was not suffering for any sin or crimes that he had committed. According to the Scriptures, Jesus was suffering for our sins. He was our propitiation because God is Holy and must punish for sins, for He is the God of Justice and Righteousness. Isaiah prophesied about the meaning of Jesus’ death 700 years before. Isaiah 53:4–5 reads, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” From these verses, we learn clearly why Jesus willingly took the punishment even though he was innocent. He was taking the punishment and affliction that we deserve because of our sins. In our modern times, criminals, though guilty, are not beaten and flogged, but are put on trial and go to jail for their crimes. They have broken not only human laws, but God’s law against stealing or murder. But in Jesus’ time, beating and flogging were part of the Roman law’s process of jurisdiction. Actually, it was prophesied hundreds of years before how Jesus would be punished and stricken, not for his sins, but for our sins. And by his wounds we have been healed and forgiven. Jesus was treated like a sinner for us and took our place in judgment. Again, Isaiah had prophesied this in Isaiah 53:12, “Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Jesus was “numbered with the transgressors” means Jesus was labeled by the world as a criminal, even though he did not commit even one sin. Jesus “poured out his life unto death” for our us. Through Jesus’ death, we died to sin and live for righteousness. We can live righteous lives because through Jesus’ death on the cross, we have been forgiven.
Look at verse 34. “And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’[a]And they cast lots to divide his garments.” It is amazing that Jesus did not cry out, “I’m innocent. I’m a victim of social injustice.” Rather, in his crying out he revealed the purpose of his suffering and death on the cross—it was to give forgiveness for sinful mankind. Jesus prayed that God would forgive, not only those who were crucifying him, but also all those who would believe the gospel message. Though Jesus cried out this prayer loudly so that those around him could hear, not many accepted his prayer as for them. But Jesus’ prayer is still powerful enough for those who heard his voice at that moment, as well as for us today. Because Jesus’ words are eternal and life-giving. An example of one who did not know what he was doing was Saul of Tarsus. He was an enemy of the early church and wanted to put as many Christians into jail or death as possible. As a zealous Jew, he thought he was doing the work of God to destroy the new sect, Christianity. But he was only blinded by his own self-righteousness, hatred, and human ambition. The Risen Lord Jesus had mercy on him and met him on the road to Damascus. While riding on his horse to persecute more Christians, suddenly a bright light knocked him down from the horse. It was the Risen Jesus, who came to forgive his sins, for he did not know what he was doing. Initially, Saul didn’t know who Jesus was. Acts 9:4-6 reads, “4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 5 And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’” Jesus forgave him of his sins and called him to do what was right—to preach the good news of the gospel. It was the amazing grace of God to not destroy this enemy of God, but to open his spiritual eyes, and find salvation in Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world.
Another example of this can be the youngest son in the Parable of the Lost Son. He had used his father’s precious inheritance to live a wild life—spending it on gambling and prostitutes. He thought he was cool and “Woke” because he was living like all the other cool people in his generation. But when he lost all his money on gambling and prostitutes he was hit with the hard reality of life. Without money he couldn’t afford an apartment or food to eat. So, he went to work for a farmer for cheap on a pig farm. But he was so hungry that he wanted to eat the pods the pigs were eating. Then he had a real spiritual awakening. He realized that he had been living as a terrible sinner—abusing his father’s love for him and wasting his inheritance. With his spiritual eyes opened, he decided to repent of his sins and go back to his father. Luke 15:17-20 reads, “17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Though he did not know what he was doing in his youth and ignorance, he was forgiven and restored as a child of God. Verse 34 has had a very powerful effect in my life of faith. It was at the 1983 Easter Conference in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, that I first heard this message. But when I heard Jesus’ crying out on the cross, “Father, forgive them,” my spiritual eyes were opened and I realized what a terrible sinner I was before God. Because of my sins, innocent Jesus, the Son of God, had to die on the cross in my place. I repented after that message and decided to follow Jesus to be his disciple in my generation. The heavy weight of guilt and shame of my sins was lifted off. New joy and peace flooded my heart and soul. And the rest as we say is “His” story in my life. Jesus asked God for the forgiveness of the evil men around him because he came to save sinners. Romans 5:8: “8 …but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” In the following verses, we see the difference between those who do not accept Jesus’ death for the forgiveness of their sins and those who do.
Look at verses 35-43. “35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!’ 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ 38 There was also an inscription over him,[b] ‘This is the King of the Jews.’39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,[c] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” In these verses, we find that everyone who was present mocked Jesus. Everybody seemed to be against Jesus, though he is the Son of God, and the promised Messiah. Even the criminals who were hanging next to him at first mocked him. The crowd mocked him, as well, as the religious leaders. They said that Jesus could save others, but he couldn’t even save himself. They were actually speaking the truth because Jesus came to save others, and not himself. If Jesus wanted, he could have saved himself, by calling a legion of angels at his disposal to rescue him. But Jesus refused to call out for help from his angelic servants. Instead, Jesus was dying not only to save others, but the whole world from sin and death.
In this avalanche of attacks, there was one man who came to his senses when he reevaluated what he was doing. One of criminals realized the truth that he was dying for his own sins, but Jesus was dying to forgive sinners. It was his moment of spiritual awakening. He asked Jesus to take him to his kingdom. He begged, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus blessed his faith and promised to take him as the first one saved after his crucifixion, and to take him with him to the kingdom of God that day. What a wonderful grace of God to let the first beneficiary of salvation after Jesus’ crucifixion to be a criminal. A man who had done nothing good, did not attend church, never baptized nor even wrote a life-testimony. But this is what happens when a person truly repents of his sins before the cross of Jesus. God forgives all his or her sins and changes the sinner to become a holy child of God. His crying out prayer, “remember me,” is a powerful reminder to us on how to ask for salvation. Salvation in not based on our merits or good works, but on what Jesus has done for us. We should not say, “Remember me because I lived 20 years as a missionary in a difficult country.” Or “remember me because I have been in UBF more than 30 or 40 years.” Or “remember me because I have been a faithful second gen and obedient child to my parents.” Or “remember me because I was a chapter director and helped others.” We should only cry out like the criminal, “remember me Jesus because I’m only a sinner, but by faith I accept that your precious blood has forgiven my sins, and now I am a holy child of God.” Amen. The criminal was just one man, but God wanted to give the chance of salvation to more people. So, God did something out of the ordinary through an unnatural phenomenon in order to confirm Jesus’ messiahship. A dreadful darkness came over the land, which lasted for 3 hours. It also revealed the wrath and judgment of God upon those who reject Jesus as the Messiah.
Look at verses 44-49. “44It was now about the sixth hour,[d] and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,[e] 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, ‘Certainly this man was innocent!’ 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.” The sixth hour means in our time to be 12 noon. It was morning time, but a dreadful and deep darkness came over the land until 9th hour, 3pm. The Passover was celebrated during a high full moon meaning that it could not be an eclipse. There was no natural explanation for this, but this darkness represents the wrath of God that had to come upon Jesus on the cross. For he was bearing on the cross the punishment for what our sins deserves. For example, in both the Old and New Testaments, God’s wrath and judgment is represented in deep darkness. Joel 2:31 reads, “31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.” And again, Peter describes the destiny of those who rejected the Messiah Jesus in 2 Peter 2:17, “17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.” This dreadful darkness lasted for several hours. No one could see anything or do anything. In fear, they were only frozen contemplating the meaning of this terrible darkness. It was also God’s way of showing that His impending judgment was coming upon those who had crucified the Son of God. Only through repentance and forgiveness of sins would God’s judgment be avoided. Those who accept Jesus’ death on the cross as forgiveness for their sins can restore a right relationship with God. This was verified when the curtain in the temple was torn in two. This curtain was a barrier to keep sinful men away from God’s holy presence. Not even the priests could enter the most holy place behind the temple but only one priest a year to offer prayers for their nation. But through Jesus’ righteous death on the cross for sinful man, we can go come back to God and restore a right relationship with Him. Jesus broke the barrier between God and sinful mankind. Hebrews 10:19-20 reads, “19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.” Jesus’ torn and wounded body, opened the way for sinful mankind to go back to Holy God. After God spoke in the darkness, Jesus spoke his last words on the cross.
He called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit!” According to John’s account in his gospel, he recorded that Jesus cried out also, “’It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” After accomplishing the will of God upon his earthly life to his last breath, Jesus was ready to give up his spirit. It meant that his earthly life as the Son of Man, concluded. “It is finished” means that Jesus had accomplished the salvation work of God. “It is finished” can also be translated as “paid in full.” Jesus fully paid the cost or price for our sins. As Jesus accomplished the greatest work of God of world salvation, God has prepared a mission for each of His precious sons and daughters for world salvation. Like Jesus, may God help us to finish the good work God has prepared for us. Amen. After Jesus’ last cry, there was a gentile who witnessed all these events and concluded with God’s truth.
The centurion who oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus was changed because of what he saw. When he saw how Jesus died, the darkness, the earthquake, and Jesus’ crying out his spiritual eyes were opened. He boldly proclaimed that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. Not only the centurion, but many people in the crowd who saw Jesus’ death to the end came to the realization that they had committed the greatest crime—killing the righteous Son of God. They beat their breasts because a heavy weight of guilt came upon them, but they didn’t know what to do next. But God did not leave them alone. God had mercy upon them and gave them another chance to repent and accept the good news of the gospel later. In Acts 3, we see how Peter’s message to the crowd during Pentecost gave them spiritual guidance and dramatically changed them forever. Acts 2:23 reads, “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you with the help of wicked men put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” Many were cut to the heart when they heard from Peter the terrible wickedness they had done before God. They asked Peter and the other apostles what they should do. Acts 23:37-38 reads, “37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ 38 And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Though they committed the most heinous crime, God forgave them when they accepted the message and were baptized in Jesus’ name. Thousands among the crowd, who had cried out, “Crucify him!” now cried out, “Jesus, my Lord and Savior!” They were no longer afraid of what the religious leaders had falsely said about Jesus nor of public opinion. They each had their own personal relationship with Jesus. This was the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in them. Let’s go back to the cross of Jesus. There were others, besides the centurion, who were also spiritually awakened and emboldened by the crucifixion of Jesus.
Look at verses 50-56. “50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.[f] 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” As a council member, Joseph was a man of high standing in his society. He was part of the government body that made decisions that impacted the nation of Israel. But unlike many of the other council members, he was a good and righteous man. He did not make decisions based on misinformation or what was popular at that the time. He made decisions based on the truth of God’s word, even going against the majority opinion. This is why he did not consent in the murder of the innocent man, Jesus. On top of this, he had listened carefully to Jesus’ teachings and believed in the coming kingdom of God. According to John’s gospel, he was a secret disciple of Jesus, which means he was a learner of Jesus. But he had to be quiet about his faith working along men who hated and wanted to put Jesus to death. But after seeing Jesus’ death on the cross, he was no longer afraid of public opinion or what his peers would think of him. He came out boldly and asked Pilate for Jesus’ body to bury it in his own tomb, which was cut in stone. His act of faith was a powerful witness to the death and burial of Jesus.
Tomorrow, we will hear about Jesus’ resurrection from Sarah, so I will let her speak about it because I don’t want to take dynamite away from her message. But what Joseph did is significant because without death and burial, there is no resurrection. Not only that, but theologically speaking, it is very significant for all believers. This is why after accepting Jesus personally as our Lord and Savior, we are baptized in his name. Why? It is because we share in his death and burial symbolically. As we go under the water, we are saying that our old self has died with Jesus and buried in the ground. Romans 6:4 reads, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” We rise out of the water signifying that we have been raised with Jesus into a new life. Our old self is dead and buried and we are now a new creation. Amen. The women who had faithfully followed Jesus also played a vital role. They were preparing spices and perfume for his body. God blessed their faithfulness and made them the first eye-witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection, which we will learn more about tomorrow.
In this passage, we studied many things about Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross and its powerful effect on people who saw it. In our Bible study this past week, I learned a new phrase, “Have a terrible wonderful day.” It seems like an oxymoron. But I could see how it applies to this passage. For example, Simon of Cyrene thought he had a terrible day carrying the cross of a stranger. But later, it became a wonderful day because he and his whole family believed in Jesus. The criminal next to Jesus though it was his terrible day to die. But it became a wonderful day of salvation when he met Jesus on the cross. The centurion thought it was a terrible day for more men to be crucified. But it became a wonderful day because he met Jesus, the righteous Son of God. Even among the crowd, there were many who thought it was a terrible day to have witnessed the death of an innocent man. But later, as we learn in the book of Acts, it became a wonderful day for them to repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I already mentioned how the 1983 Easter Conference was for me a terrible wonderful day. Most of all, we learn how powerful Jesus’ prayer was on the cross, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” This prayer was not only for those around him who were crucifying him, but for us today when we accept his prayer to forgive us of our sins by faith. We see how terrible our sins are before God, that Jesus, the Son of God had to be crucified in our place. But it can be a wonderful day when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Let’s practice by saying to our neighbor, “Have a terrible wonderful day.” But we may need tomorrow also to meet Jesus personally. Let’s say to our neighbor, “Have a terrible wonderful conference.” May we all believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins. Amen.
Footnotes
a. Luke 23:34 Some manuscripts omit the sentence And Jesus… what they do
b. Luke 23:38 Some manuscripts add in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew
c. Luke 23:39 Or blasphemed him
d. Luke 23:44 That is, noon
e. Luke 23:44 That is, 3 P.M.
f. Luke 23:54 Greek was dawning
Questions:
- Read verses 26-31. Who helped Jesus carry his cross and why? What did Jesus say to the wailing women and what did he mean? For what should we weep?
- Read verses 32-34. How was Jesus executed? Why did Jesus suffer like this (Isaiah 53:4-5, 12; 1 Peter 2:24b)? What did Jesus pray on the cross? Why did he pray like this (Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Hebrews 7:25)?
- Read verses 35-43. Who mocked Jesus and how? Why did Jesus not save himself? How could one man see Jesus differently and what request did he make? How did Jesus bless his faith?
- Read verses 44-49. How did Luke describe Jesus’ death? What is the significance of the torn curtain (Hebrews 10:19-20)? What is the meaning of Jesus’ final words? Who witnessed this? What do the centurion’s words reveal about Jesus?
- Read verses 50-56. Who was Joseph and how did he show his faith? What is the meaning of Jesus’ burial (Romans 6:4)? Who witnessed Jesus’ burial?
The Crucifixion
26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[a] And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him,[b] “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,[c] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Death of Jesus
44It was now about the sixth hour,[d] and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,[e] 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
Jesus Is Buried
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.[f] 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
