1Så var mødet forbi, og hele forsamlingen brød op og førte Jesus til den romerske guvernør, Pilatus. (Matt 27,1; Matt 27,11; Mark 15,1; Joh 18,28)2Her kom de frem med følgende anklage: „Manden her vildleder vores folk. Han siger, at man ikke skal betale skat til kejseren, og han påstår, at han er Messias, det vil sige en konge.”3Pilatus spurgte ham: „Er du jødernes konge?” „Det kan man godt sige,” svarede Jesus.4Efter forhøret sagde Pilatus til ypperstepræsterne og mængden, der var stimlet sammen: „Jeg finder intet grundlag for en anklage mod ham.”5Men de forstærkede blot deres anklager: „Han volder uro i hele vores land med sin undervisning, både i Galilæa, hvor han begyndte, og nu også her i Jerusalem!”
Jesus for Herodes
6Da Pilatus hørte, at Jesus var fra Galilæa,7sendte han ham til Herodes, som netop i de dage opholdt sig i Jerusalem. Herodes var nemlig regent over Galilæa.8Herodes blev begejstret over at få lejlighed til at se Jesus, for han havde hørt meget om ham, og han håbede at kunne få ham til at gøre et mirakel.9Han stillede ham derfor en række spørgsmål, men Jesus svarede ikke.10Ypperstepræsterne og de skriftlærde stod ved siden af og fortsatte med deres voldsomme anklager.11Så gav Herodes og hans soldater sig til at håne Jesus og gøre nar af ham. De kastede en farvestrålende kappe over ham og sendte ham tilbage til Pilatus.12Den dag lagde Herodes og Pilatus deres gamle fjendskab bag sig.
Pilatus bliver presset til at lade Jesus korsfæste
13Pilatus sammenkaldte nu ypperstepræsterne og de øvrige jødiske ledere. (Matt 27,15; Mark 15,6; Joh 18,39)14„I har ført den mand herhen til mig og anklaget ham for at vildlede det jødiske folk,” sagde han. „Jeg har forhørt ham, mens I hørte på det, men jeg har ikke fundet ham skyldig i noget af det, I anklager ham for.15Det har Herodes heller ikke, for han har sendt ham her tilbage. Manden har ikke foretaget sig noget, som han kan dømmes til døden for.16-17Derfor vil jeg give ham en advarsel ved at lade ham piske og derefter løslade ham.”[1]18Men da lød der en råben fra folkehoben: „Henret ham, og lad os få Barabbas fri!”19(Barabbas sad fængslet for drab, og fordi han havde startet et oprør i Jerusalem).20Pilatus ville helst sætte Jesus fri, så han prøvede endnu en gang at tale dem til fornuft,21men hoben råbte i kor: „Korsfæst ham, korsfæst ham!”22For tredje gang råbte Pilatus til dem: „Hvorfor? Hvad ondt har han gjort? Jeg finder ingen grund til, at han skal dø. Jeg vil lade ham piske, og så vil jeg løslade ham!”23Men folk råbte højere og højere, at Jesus skulle korsfæstes, og til sidst gav Pilatus efter for deres krav.24Han dømte Jesus til døden, som de forlangte.25Derefter befalede han, at Barabbas skulle løslades, som de havde bedt om. Jesus blev derpå udleveret til at lide den straf, som folket havde ønsket.
Jesus bliver korsfæstet og derefter hånet af de jødiske ledere
26Da de romerske soldater trak af sted med Jesus for at korsfæste ham uden for byen, mødte de en mand, som var på vej ind i byen. Han hed Simon og var fra Kyrene. Ham tvang de til at gå bagefter Jesus og bære korset for ham. (Matt 27,32; Mark 15,21; Joh 19,17)27En stor flok mennesker fulgte med, deriblandt mange grædende kvinder.28Jesus vendte sig til dem og sagde: „Jerusalems døtre, græd ikke over mig, men over jer selv og jeres børn.29For snart vil man sige: ‚Lykkelige er de kvinder, som er barnløse.’30Og man vil sige til bjergene: ‚Styrt sammen over os!’ og til højene: ‚Skjul os!’[2] (Hos 10,8)31For når man gør sådan med det levende træ, hvad vil der så ikke ske med det visne?”32To andre mænd, som begge var forbrydere, blev også ført ud for at blive henrettet sammen med Jesus.33Da de kom til det sted, som kaldes „Hovedskalsstedet”, korsfæstede soldaterne Jesus sammen med de to forbrydere, den ene til højre for Jesus, den anden til venstre.34Men Jesus bad: „Far, tilgiv dem, for de ved ikke, hvad de gør.” Soldaterne kastede lod om hans tøj og delte det imellem sig.35Folkeskaren stod og så til, mens de jødiske ledere hånede ham og sagde: „Andre har han reddet! Hvis han virkelig var Messias, Guds udvalgte Frelser, så burde han tage og redde sig selv!”36Soldaterne hånede ham også. De rakte billig vin op til ham og råbte:37„Hvis du er jødernes konge, så red dig selv!”38Der var nemlig sømmet et skilt fast på korset over ham. „Det er jødernes konge” stod der på græsk, latin og hebraisk.[3]39Selv den ene af forbryderne, som hang ved siden af ham, gjorde nar: „Er du ikke Messias? Så red dig selv og os!”40Men den anden forbryder irettesatte den første: „Frygter du slet ikke Gud, nu du skal dø?41Vi får den straf, vi fortjener, men han har ikke gjort noget forkert.”42Så sagde han: „Jesus, husk på mig, når du kommer til dit rige.”43Jesus svarede: „Det siger jeg dig: I dag skal du komme med mig til Paradiset.”[4]
Jesus dør
44-45Ved tolvtiden forsvandt solens lys, og der blev mørkt over hele landet indtil klokken tre. Pludselig blev det kraftige forhæng ved indgangen til det allerhelligste rum i templet flænget ned midt igennem. (Matt 27,45; Mark 15,33; Joh 19,28)46Samtidig råbte Jesus, så højt han kunne: „Far, jeg betror dig min ånd!”[5] Med de ord udåndede han. (Salm 31,6)47Da den romerske officer så alt, hvad der skete, lovpriste han Gud og udbrød: „Den mand var i virkeligheden uskyldig!”48De mange mennesker, som var fulgt med derud for at overvære korsfæstelsen, blev forfærdede over det, de så. De slog sig fortvivlet for brystet, og langsomt begyndte de at gå hjemad.49De, der havde kendt Jesus personligt, og kvinderne, der havde fulgt med ham fra Galilæa, stod et stykke derfra og overværede det hele.
Jesus lægges i graven
50-51Et af medlemmerne af Det jødiske Råd var en god og retskaffen mand, der hele tiden havde været i forventning om Messias’ snarlige komme, og han var imod, at rådet havde dømt Jesus til døden. Han hed Josef og kom fra byen Arimatæa i Judæa. (Matt 27,57; Mark 15,42; Joh 19,38)52Han henvendte sig nu til Pilatus og bad om at få Jesu lig udleveret.53Det fik han lov til og tog så liget ned fra korset og svøbte det i et liglagen. Derpå anbragte han det i en klippegrav, hvor ingen endnu havde ligget.54Det var sent fredag eftermiddag, lige før sabbatten begyndte.[6]55Da Jesu lig blev ført bort, fulgte kvinderne fra Galilæa efter, og de så den klippegrav, han blev lagt ind i.56Efter at de var kommet hjem, tilberedte de en begravelsessalve med aromatiske olier. Men de foretog sig ikke noget på sabbatten, som den jødiske lov foreskriver.
6When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.7And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. (Luk 3,1)8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. (Matt 12,38; Matt 14,1; Mark 6,14; Luk 9,9)9So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer.10The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.11And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. (Matt 27,28; Mark 9,12; Mark 15,17; Luk 18,32; Ap G 4,11)12And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. (Salm 2,2; Ap G 4,27)13Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, (Luk 24,20)14and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. (Luk 23,2; Luk 23,4; Ap G 3,13)15Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. (Luk 23,11)16I will therefore punish and release him.”[1] (Luk 23,22; Joh 19,1; Ap G 5,40)
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
18But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— (Matt 27,15; Mark 15,6; Joh 18,39; Joh 19,16; Ap G 21,36; Ap G 22,22)19a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. (Ap G 3,14)20Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus,21but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!”22A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” (Luk 23,14; Luk 23,16; Luk 23,41; Joh 8,46)23But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed.24So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.25He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. (Luk 23,19; Joh 19,16)
The Crucifixion
26And 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. (Matt 27,32; Mark 15,21; Joh 19,17)27And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. (Matt 11,17; Luk 8,52)28But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.29For 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!’ (Matt 24,19; Mark 13,17; Luk 17,22; Luk 21,23)30Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ (Es 2,19; Hos 10,8; Åb 6,16)31For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Ord 11,31; Ez 20,47; 1.Pet 4,17)32Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. (Matt 20,21; Matt 27,38; Mark 15,27; Joh 19,18)33And 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. (Matt 27,33; Mark 15,22; Luk 23,32; Joh 19,17)34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[2] And they cast lots to divide his garments. (Salm 22,18; Es 53,12; Matt 5,44; Matt 27,35; Mark 10,38; Mark 15,24; Joh 19,23; Ap G 3,17)35And 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!” (Salm 22,7; Salm 22,17; Es 42,1; Matt 1,17; Matt 12,18; Matt 26,53; Matt 27,41; Mark 15,31; Luk 4,3; Luk 4,9; Luk 4,23; Luk 9,20; Luk 9,35; Luk 16,14; Luk 24,20; Joh 10,18; 1.Pet 2,4)36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine (Salm 69,21; Matt 27,48; Mark 15,36; Joh 19,29)37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Luk 23,3; Luk 23,35)38There was also an inscription over him,[3] “This is the King of the Jews.” (Matt 27,37; Mark 15,26; Luk 23,37; Joh 19,19; Joh 19,21)39One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,[4] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Matt 27,39; Matt 27,44; Mark 15,32; Luk 23,35; Luk 23,37)40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?41And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”42And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Matt 16,28)43And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (2.Kor 12,3; Åb 2,7)
The Death of Jesus
44It was now about the sixth hour,[5] and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,[6] (Matt 27,45; Mark 15,33; Joh 19,14)45while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. (2.Mos 26,31; 2.Krøn 3,14)46Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. (Salm 31,5; Matt 27,50; Mark 15,37; Joh 10,18; Joh 19,30; Ap G 7,59; 1.Pet 4,19)47Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” (Matt 27,54; Mark 15,39; Luk 7,16)48And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. (Luk 18,13)49And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. (Salm 38,11; Salm 88,8; Luk 8,2; Luk 23,55; Joh 19,25)
Jesus Is Buried
50Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, (Matt 27,57; Mark 15,42; Joh 19,38)51who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. (Luk 2,25; Luk 2,38)52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.53Then 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. (Es 53,9; Mark 11,2)54It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.[7] (Matt 27,62)55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. (Matt 28,1; Luk 23,49)56Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (2.Mos 20,10; 5.Mos 5,14; Mark 16,1; Luk 24,1; Joh 19,39)