1Então levaram Jesus à presença de Pilatos, o governador.2E começaram a acusá-lo: “Este homem tem manipulado o povo dizendo-lhe que não pague impostos a César e afirmando que é Cristo, o rei.”3Pilatos perguntou-lhe: “És o rei dos judeus?” Jesus respondeu: “Sim, é como tu dizes.”4Pilatos voltou-se para os principais sacerdotes e para a multidão e disse: “Mas isto não constitiui um crime!”5E insistiram: “É que ele anda também a provocar tumultos contra o governo, para onde quer que vá, por toda a Judeia, desde a Galileia até Jerusalém.”6“Então ele é galileu?”, perguntou Pilatos ouvindo falar na Galileia.7Quando lhe disseram que sim, Pilatos mandou-o a Herodes, porque a Galileia achava-se sob a jurisdição deste; além de que Herodes se encontrava em Jerusalém naquela altura.8Herodes ficou muito satisfeito com esta oportunidade de ver Jesus, porque ouvira falar muito nele e esperava vê-lo realizar qualquer sinal.9Todavia, embora fizesse a Jesus muitas perguntas, não obteve resposta.10Entretanto, os principais sacerdotes e os especialistas na Lei não arredavam pé, continuando a gritar acusações.11Herodes e os seus soldados começaram também a troçar de Jesus. E vestindo-lhe um traje a fingir de rei, devolveram-no a Pilatos.12Naquele dia, Herodes e Pilatos, que antes não se davam, tornaram-se bons amigos.
Jesus condenado à morte
13Então Pilatos reuniu os principais sacerdotes, os magistrados e o povo,14e disse-lhes: “Vocês trouxeram-me este homem acusando-o de chefiar uma revolta contra o governo romano. Examinei-o demoradamente sobre este ponto e verifico que está inocente.15Também Herodes chegou à mesma conclusão e mandou-o de novo para mim, pois nada do que fez exige a pena de morte.16Portanto, vou mandá-lo castigar e soltá-lo.”17Ele era obrigado a soltar-lhes um preso durante a festa.18Nesse instante, ouviu-se um clamor da multidão, que a uma só voz gritou: “Mata-o e solta-nos Barrabás!”19Barrabás encontrava-se preso, acusado de provocar uma revolta em Jerusalém e também por homicídio.20Pilatos ainda discutiu com eles, pois queria soltar Jesus.21Mas eles gritavam: “Crucifica-o! Crucifica-o!”22De novo, pela terceira vez, Pilatos perguntou: “Mas porquê? Que mal fez ele? Não encontrei qualquer motivo para o condenar à morte! Portanto, vou açoitá-lo e pô-lo em liberdade.”23Mas eles gritavam sempre mais alto, reclamando que Jesus fosse crucificado, e a sua vontade prevaleceu.24Por fim, Pilatos condenou Jesus à morte, tal como lho exigiam.25A pedido deles soltou-lhes Barrabás, o homem que estava preso, acusado de insurreição e homicídio. Mas entregou Jesus à multidão para que fizesse dele o que lhe apetecesse.
A crucificação
26Quando levavam Jesus para ser morto, Simão, um cireneu que acabava de entrar em Jerusalém vindo do campo, foi forçado a acompanhá-los, transportando a cruz de Jesus.27Atrás seguia um grande cortejo, incluindo muitas mulheres vergadas pelo desgosto.28Mas Jesus voltou-se e disse-lhes: “Filhas de Jerusalém, não chorem por mim, mas por vocês e pelos vossos filhos.29Porque vêm aí dias em que as mulheres sem filhos serão consideradas felizes.30As pessoas começarão a clamar às montanhas: ‘Caiam sobre nós!’, e às colinas: ‘Escondam-nos!’31Porque se a mim, a árvore viva, me tratam assim, o que não farão a vocês?”
A acusação contra Jesus
32E dois criminosos foram levados para serem executados no mesmo local,33chamado “A Caveira”. Aí foram crucificados os três; Jesus ao centro e os dois criminosos um de cada lado.34E Jesus dizia: “Pai, perdoa-lhes, porque não sabem o que fazem!” Entretanto, os soldados lançavam sortes para ver quem ficaria com as suas roupas.35A multidão assistia à cena e os líderes judaicos riam-se e faziam troça. “Ajudava tanto os outros”, diziam. “Vamos a ver se se salva a si mesmo, se é realmente o Cristo, o escolhido de Deus.”36Também os soldados troçavam dele. E deram-lhe vinho azedo a beber,37gritando-lhe: “Se és o rei dos judeus, salva-te a ti mesmo!”38Por cima dele estava esta inscrição: este é o rei dos judeus.39Um dos malfeitores pendurados ao seu lado também zombava: “Se és o Cristo, salva-te a ti mesmo e também a nós!”40Mas o outro criminoso repreendeu-o: “Não tens temor de Deus, nem mesmo sofrendo a mesma condenação?41Nós merecemos a morte pelos maus atos que cometemos, mas este homem nada fez de mal.”42E acrescentou: “Jesus, lembra-te de mim quando entrares no teu reino.”43E Jesus respondeu: “Garanto-te que hoje estarás comigo no paraíso.”
A morte de Jesus
44Era quase por volta do meio-dia e a terra inteira ficou em trevas, que duraram até às três horas daquela tarde.45A luz do sol desapareceu e o véu do templo rasgou-se em dois.46Jesus disse com voz forte: “Pai, entrego-te o meu espírito.” E com estas palavras morreu.47Quando o oficial romano viu o que sucedera, deu glória a Deus e disse: “Não há dúvida de que este homem estava inocente!”48A multidão que tinha vindo para assistir à crucificação, depois de Jesus ter morrido, voltou para casa profundamente triste[1].49Entretanto, os amigos de Jesus, incluindo as mulheres que o tinham seguido desde a Galileia, encontravam-se à distância a observar a cena.
O corpo de Jesus no túmulo
50Um homem chamado José, membro do supremo tribunal, homem de bem e justo,51vindo da cidade de Arimateia, na Judeia, não concordara com as decisões e medidas dos outros judeus, mas esperava a vinda do reino de Deus.52Foi ter com Pilatos e pediu-lhe o corpo de Jesus.53Assim, desceu o corpo de Jesus e envolveu-o num lençol de linho, colocando-o num túmulo ainda por estrear, escavado numa rocha.54Isto aconteceu ao fim de uma tarde de sexta-feira, o dia de preparação para o sábado.55Enquanto o corpo era levado, as mulheres da Galileia acompanharam-no e viram-no ser transportado para dentro do túmulo.56Depois, voltando para casa, prepararam os produtos e perfumes necessários para o ungirem. Quando terminaram, era já sábado, pelo que descansaram todo aquele dia, com exigia a Lei judaica.
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. (Lc 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. (Mt 12:38; Mt 14:1; Mc 6:14; Lc 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. (Mt 27:28; Mc 9:12; Mc 15:17; Lc 18:32; At 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. (Sl 2:2; At 4:27)13Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, (Lc 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. (Lc 23:2; Lc 23:4; At 3:13)15Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. (Lc 23:11)16I will therefore punish and release him.”[1] (Lc 23:22; Jo 19:1; At 5:40)
Pilate Delivers Jesus to Be Crucified
18But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— (Mt 27:15; Mc 15:6; Jo 18:39; Jo 19:16; At 21:36; At 22:22)19a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. (At 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.” (Lc 23:14; Lc 23:16; Lc 23:41; Jo 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. (Lc 23:19; Jo 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. (Mt 27:32; Mc 15:21; Jo 19:17)27And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. (Mt 11:17; Lc 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!’ (Mt 24:19; Mc 13:17; Lc 17:22; Lc 21:23)30Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ (Is 2:19; Os 10:8; Ap 6:16)31For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Pv 11:31; Ez 20:47; 1 Pe 4:17)32Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. (Mt 20:21; Mt 27:38; Mc 15:27; Jo 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. (Mt 27:33; Mc 15:22; Lc 23:32; Jo 19:17)34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[2] And they cast lots to divide his garments. (Sl 22:18; Is 53:12; Mt 5:44; Mt 27:35; Mc 10:38; Mc 15:24; Jo 19:23; At 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!” (Sl 22:7; Sl 22:17; Is 42:1; Mt 1:17; Mt 12:18; Mt 26:53; Mt 27:41; Mc 15:31; Lc 4:3; Lc 4:9; Lc 4:23; Lc 9:20; Lc 9:35; Lc 16:14; Lc 24:20; Jo 10:18; 1 Pe 2:4)36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine (Sl 69:21; Mt 27:48; Mc 15:36; Jo 19:29)37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Lc 23:3; Lc 23:35)38There was also an inscription over him,[3] “This is the King of the Jews.” (Mt 27:37; Mc 15:26; Lc 23:37; Jo 19:19; Jo 19:21)39One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,[4] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Mt 27:39; Mt 27:44; Mc 15:32; Lc 23:35; Lc 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.” (Mt 16:28)43And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (2 Co 12:3; Ap 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] (Mt 27:45; Mc 15:33; Jo 19:14)45while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. (Ex 26:31; 2 Cr 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. (Sl 31:5; Mt 27:50; Mc 15:37; Jo 10:18; Jo 19:30; At 7:59; 1 Pe 4:19)47Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” (Mt 27:54; Mc 15:39; Lc 7:16)48And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. (Lc 18:13)49And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. (Sl 38:11; Sl 88:8; Lc 8:2; Lc 23:55; Jo 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, (Mt 27:57; Mc 15:42; Jo 19:38)51who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. (Lc 2:25; Lc 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. (Is 53:9; Mc 11:2)54It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.[7] (Mt 27:62)55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. (Mt 28:1; Lc 23:49)56Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (Ex 20:10; Dt 5:14; Mc 16:1; Lc 24:1; Jo 19:39)