Suffering

 

Suffering

An Ultimate Betrayal, a Most Disgusting Trial,

and an Abhorrent Crucifixion

John 18 & 19

Pain, Suffering, Sadness and Distress: a study on the Relationship of God to Suffering


By Pastor Dan Kennedy

© July 15, 2012

www.pastorkennedy.com

(On the website above, click the link to “recent message notes” to view messages online.  There are also selected messages and poems, available on Amazon Kindle Books - see “Dan B. Kennedy”.)


Today we are continuing to study the book of John, chapters 18 and 19.  These serious verses contain the sad, disgusting abuse and suffering of Jesus Christ leading up to His crucifixion. 


Suffering is always a subject of shame, especially when it is poured upon someone who does not deserve any of it.  Who would not deserve it more than God’s Son?  I believe the sufferings of Christ, found in John 18 and 19, give us a more penetrating look at the whole subject of suffering.  Some folks reject God because suffering exists, is that valid?  What are underlying causes of suffering?  Why did Jesus Christ suffer?  How does suffering enter into our reconciliation with God?  And, how are we to understand suffering in our own life?


Four Dynamics of Suffering


1.  The Question of Suffering:  “How can a Good God allow Pain, Suffering, Sadness and Distress?”


“God, why did you allow this?” –This has been a cry from the human heart since the fall of man.  It had to be the first thing in Eve’s mind after she learned that her firstborn son Cain, murdered her second born son, Abel.  When something terrible has happened to us personally, this cry has been on our mind ever since.


For many years a fundamental reason many atheists have given in their rejection of the existence of God has been the existence of pain and suffering.


“Why, God?” even comes to the mind of the most ardent atheist.


The Second Point in “Four Dynamics of Suffering”


2.  Three underlying causes of pain and suffering:


A.  Pride

B.  Greed (covetousness)

  1. C. Rebellion


A.  Pride is the primary cause of Satan’s rebellion, and a major cause of Suffering.


“I will be like the Most High,” Satan mused while still in his glory as an archangel (Is. 14:14). 


Many wars, many abuses, many broken relationships have begun because of pride and an unwillingness to admit wrong (1 John 2:16).


Willful pride begets suffering.


B.  Greed is also a major culprit causing Pain and Suffering in the world

The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, the Scripture recounts, is wrapped up in “covetousness” or greed.


1 John 2:16

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.


Exodus 20:14–17

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”


James 4:1–3

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.


Suffering is embedded in “covetousness” or Greed.


C.  A form of Rebellion against God is wrapped up in the heart of everyone!  And, Rebellion is a primary cause of Suffering.


Romans 3:23

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.


If individuals in a country strongly oppose the leadership of that country we call it a “rebellion”.  War breaks out and many suffer.

If a child “rebels” against his or her parents, a type of war breaks out and both sides find themselves in serious pain, etc., etc.


When we sin against God, this is a form of rebellion.  Ultimate pain will be experienced. 


Each person who has rejected God’s Authority over his or her life has chosen, of his or her own free will, to rebel against God.


God is not the Author of Pain and Suffering, but in His Sovereignty, He is the Author of Free Will.


The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden, as tempting as it was, also included (with the “knowledge”) the full scope of destructive pain, suffering, sadness, distress and DEATH…which continues until this day!


Romans 8:18–23

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.


If God had not included this Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in His Garden, men and women would have blissfully continued enjoying the beauty of the Garden and the Glory of His Presence…but without their total personal consent.  Without that Tree, God would have denied humans the power to choose Him or rebel against His Word.  People would love God because they were unable to do otherwise

That isn’t love, and God knew it. 


Once Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s Word, they understood it too, but it was too late.  They had rejected God’s Word and greedily gained the insight of the knowledge of good and evil, but they had also inherited death and all the implications of sin with every aspect of its horrible sorrow, suffering and pain…leading to spiritual separation from God and physical death.


We have been born into a world filled with “Trees of the Knowledge of Good and Evil”

There are poisoned trees planted in the forest of our soul that give us ample opportunity to reveal our love for God and our obedience to His Word by avoiding their carnal fruit, or to reveal our rejection of God by pursuing the fleeting pleasures of sin for a season. 

Is this why so many people hide, when they hear the voice of God through His Word?


God has allowed us to have a free will and with free will comes the ability to exercise Pride, Greed and Rebellion – against God.


These are fundamental reasons for Pain and Suffering.


The Third Point in “Four Dynamics of Suffering”


3.  The Christ who Came to Suffer:  The Life, Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ


To understand more fully the inappropriateness of the argument that “There cannot be a loving God when there is pain and suffering,” one must understand the Life and Death of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.


To begin with, God did not choose to have Jesus Christ, His Son, to be born into the world in privilege.  He was born into a home of a humble carpenter.


God did not give His Son the physique and personality of a dynamic, handsome, irresistible, charismatic leader.  God chose humbleness…in the revelation of His Son.


Isaiah 53:2–3; 4-6

For he grew up before him like a young plant,

and like a root out of dry ground;

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by men;

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;

and as one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.


God sent Jesus Christ to be the sin-bearer and Savior of the world.

    Isaiah 53:4  Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.


In the Revelation of His Son, God was disclosing to us His complete understanding of Sin and the terrible consequences of Suffering. 

Who else but God would have chosen “humbleness”?


There was no heavenly bravado here as God’s Son came to earth, there was only the stark revelation of God’s desire to complete the work of Redemption which Jesus was sent to do.


As an adult, Jesus identified Himself as One who had no home…no place to lay His head…even less of a home than a fox which has his own den (Matthew 8:20).


Throughout His ministry, Jesus had serious detractors and those who hated him…especially those in the religious world.


Jesus suffered as few people have suffered:


John 18:1-11


  1.   An Ultimate Betrayal by a trusted friend.

Betrayal by a greedy man (John 12:5-6; Matt. 26:15)

  1. A middle of the night “Coward’s Arrest”


Jesus’ late night arrest was the style of those who do not want to be caught in their deceitful, underhanded, unjust and disreputable actions in bringing to trial an innocent man…but they had the power to pull it off (they thought).


  1.   A Most Disgusting Trial

There are few things in life that make one more sad, distraught and very, very angry, than blatant betrayal, blatant false accusations and grievous mal-justice.  This happens when evil is in power…and it is especially egregious when the evil is cloaked and protected by religious robes.

  1. Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas for late night/early morning mock trial (John 18:12-14)

  2. The High Priest Annas Questions Jesus and Jesus is struck by an officer for supposed disrespect, He is then sent bound to Caiaphas (John 18:19-24)

  3. Peter, the stalwart disciple, denies knowing Jesus (John 18:15-18)

  4. Peter Denies Jesus Again (John 18:25-27)

  5. Jesus was led to be tried before Pilate the Roman governor (John 18:28-32)

oThe Jews wouldn’t go inside Pilate’s home because they did not want to defile themselves entering a Gentile dwelling, before the Passover. 

oPilate asked them for the reason they brought Him for trial. 

oThey sidestepped the question.  “We wouldn’t have brought Him to you if He hadn’t done something wrong!”

  1. Jesus before Pilate (John 18:33-40)

o“Are you the King of the Jews?”

oWhat have you done to deserve this?

o(Jesus’ response) “My Kingdom Is Not of This World!”

o“What is Truth?”

oPilate finds no guilt in Jesus and offers a stark contrast in amnesty for either a notorious criminal or Jesus. 

oThe manipulated crowd releases Barabbas the robber, instead of Jesus – revealing again obvious and gross injustice.

  1. Torture and Abuse (John 19:1-16)

oThe Crown of thorns,

oThe Cruel Beatings,

oThe Roman soldiers derision of Jesus as King,

oJesus was delivered to be crucified,

oThe chanting crowd calls for Jesus’ crucifixion, and

oThe brash rejection of Jesus by His own people.

  1. Jesus is Crucified (John 19:17-30)

oJesus carried His own cross, until He could not any longer. 

oHe was humiliated before everyone. 

oHe suffered one of the cruelest deaths known to mankind: The Crucifixion. 

oThe guards gambled for His clothes under the cross. 

oHe gave the care of His mother to His disciple, John. 

oJesus died an agonizing death - Giving His Life Willingly.


Question.  Why did a loving and good God send His Son to suffer so inhumanly and die an excruciating death?  We will seek to answer this in the fourth point.


The Fourth Point in “Four Dynamics of Suffering”


4.  Reconciliation and Suffering: 

This is a search for restoration that comes through Christ’s suffering.

Sometimes there is no other way to confirm your love and to satisfy justice than that which comes from suffering. 


The Problem with the Deceptiveness of Sin


Jesus suffered for the sins of the world, but how do we personally respond to that suffering?


We tend to deal with sin in our relationship with God, just as we sometimes deal with our faults in this world.


1. We deny. 

In our pride, greed or rebellion toward God, we “deny” that we have done anything “that bad”.


We might say, “God, You know, I am not really a bad person.  I don’t really deserve serious punishment for what I have done.  Why don’t you let my mistakes go this time?”


2. We hide.

Adam and Eve hid in the Garden.  Trying to hide the results of our pride, greed or rebellion from God never works either, because God knows all things.  Sin will eventually catch up with everyone one way or another.


Genesis 3:8

And they (Adam and Eve) heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.


1 Timothy 5:24

24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.


Numbers 32:23

23  …Be sure your sin will find you out.


3. We run. 

It certainly doesn’t work to run from or shun God because we do not want to be accountable for our pride, greed or rebellion.


God’s Spirit is everywhere!


Psalm 139:7–12

Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol (the place of the departed dead),

you are there!

If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

and the light about me be night,”

12 even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.


The Proper Way to Deal with the Deceptiveness of Sin


4. We confront wrongdoing and repent. 


We confront and admit our mistakes and our sins, admitting we were wrong and seek forgiveness.


Proverbs 28:13

13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.


1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


oWe Deny

oWe Hide

oWe Run

oOr We can Repent


How does Confessing our Sin and Repentance relate to Suffering?


When we repent we enter in to the dynamic of why Jesus Christ suffered in John 18 and 19.


Why would God plan such suffering, abuse and death of His Son? 


  1.   Is this god one who is impersonal and clueless about those on earth and is he simply content to let them continue to suffer in terrible pain and turmoil – or does he even exist?


  1. When we see Christ’s undeserved suffering, we see a Personal Creator God who plunged His sinless Son into the Pain and Suffering of this sin-cursed world, to give those who, by His Grace, accept the Provision of His Salvation, an ultimate victory.


Because of Pain and Suffering we find this out about the Person of God:

Pain and Suffering reveals that God is Genuine.  He doesn’t hide from reality. 

Pain and Suffering reveals a God who knows full well the terribleness of sin and its gruesome and horrible toll upon all mankind.  He knew the price that would be paid for giving mankind the opportunity to choose his or her own way. 

Pain and Suffering reveals to us a God who understood the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus Christ would have to pay for the full redemption of those in the human race.

In the Pain and Suffering experience by Jesus Christ, God understands and knows firsthand the depth of the suffering experienced by everyone, and especially His Children.

God’s plan for Christ’s Suffering was that His Son, as a Sinless Sacrifice, would bear the necessary punishment (in suffering and death) to Redeem and Ransom the person who accepted Christ’s Suffering and Death to pay for his or her own individual sin.

Pain and Suffering reveals to us the God who allowed His Son, to understand mankind’s pain, so He could effectively intercede for them during their trials.


Hebrews 4:14–16

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

God abhors sin and He abhors Pain and Suffering.  In His Eternal Kingdom, pain and suffering will be no more, just as the curse of sin will be no more.


Revelation 21:4

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”


God created the Human Race to be in His Family – We are made in His Image! Mankind chose to rebel and we have been plunged into the deep pit of suffering and death.  The Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered for us so one day those who accept His Grace will be eternally with Him!


Now, understanding these truths about the Person of God, how are we to understand suffering in our own life?


Each of us has suffered in life one way or another, and we will suffer the pain of death, should the Lord not return in our lifetime.


Hope, Help and Security even in our Suffering


Romans 8:22–30

22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.


We wait here in Hope.  Even in our groaning (together with all of creation), in this sin-cursed world, we hope and we eagerly await our eternal redemption (Rom. 8:23-25).


We have Help in our Weakness.  In our weakness the groaning of the Holy Spirit cries out to God for us, on our behalf (Rom. 8:26-27).


We have Genuine Security in God’s Will and Purpose.  For those who love God, all things work together for good (Rom.8:28-30). 


A story of God’s redeeming grace is revealed through each believer’s suffering, as we yield to God’s authority over every aspect of our lives.



Addendum


John 18–19

Judas Betrayal and the Arrest of Jesus (John 18:1-11)

18 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas for late night/early morning mock trial (John 18:12-14)

12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus (John 18:15-18)

15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.


The High Priest Annas Questions Jesus and Jesus is struck by an officer for supposed disrespect, He is then sent bound to Caiaphas (John 18:19-24)

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus Again (John 18:25-27)

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.


Jesus led to be tried before Pilate the Roman governor.  The Jews wouldn’t go inside because they did not want to defile themselves before the Passover.  Pilate asked for what reason they brought Him.  They sidestepped the question (John 18:28-32)

28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.


“Are you the King of the Jews?” What have you done? “My Kingdom Is Not of This World”, “What is Truth”; Pilate finds no guilt in Jesus and offers a stark contrast in amnesty for one or the other.  The manipulated crowd releases Barabbas the robber, instead of Jesus – obvious and gross injustice (John 18:33-40)

33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.


Torture and Abuse.  The Crown of thorns, soldiers derision of Jesus as King, Jesus Delivered to Be Crucified, chanting crowd calling for Jesus’ crucifixion, and brash rejection of Jesus by His own people (John 19:1-16)

19 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.


Jesus carried His own cross.  He was humiliated once again.  He suffered one of the cruelest deaths known to mankind: The Crucifixion.  The guards gambled for His clothes under the cross.  He gave the care of His mother to His disciple, John. (John 19:17-27)

So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

“They divided my garments among them,

and for my clothing they cast lots.”

So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.


Jesus’ agonizing death

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus’ Side Is Pierced

31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

Jesus Is Buried

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.