The earliest hearers (and eventually readers) of the Gospel would surely have been considering just one account. There is something a little “artificial” about looking at all four at once. It also raises questions of contrasting emphasis, different sequence and of “omission”. Nonetheless I think it is informative to compare.
Not one of the Gospels gives minute details or dwells on description of bodily suffering. No gruesome image presented to us today. That is not to minimise the awfulness of this death, which was suffered by three in Jerusalem that day, and by very, very, many under various regimes, from about the 6th century, BC (BCE). In one example, in 88 BC, Alexander Jannaeus, king and high priest in Judaea, had crucified about 800 Pharisees.
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| From preserved bones of the crucified man from the ossuary box of Yehohanan, son of Hagakol - see below |
This month I read a recollection of an accomplished person who was asked as a primary age child if she did not feel sorrow for Jesus dying on the cross. The youngster thoughtfully said her sympathy was with the other victims, who did not have Jesus’ knowledge! (I gather her answer was not popular, though hers was actually based on correct reading and truer understanding.)
The preliminary part (pages a & b) of the document behind this post ("Passion") establishes the situation leading up to the crucifixion.
The other section (pages c & d) covers the common ground of the execution accounts. Although different in form, all four use just the one verb covering the action of execution; translated as “crucified”. No more detail of the physical effects is written, though some can be surmised.
We see that Jesus gave up his spirit, or, to put it another way, he breathed his last.
The moment Jesus expired is simply told: He gave up his spirit (Matthew and John). The word in John is the same as that for Pilate disposing of Jesus to the execution process: Pilate gave up Jesus; Jesus gave up his spirit. Mark and Luke have another way to put it: Jesus breathed his last - they use same single verb to say that. Though sympathy is a natural response to the moment, the Gospels make no attempt to create sympathetic viewer (reader) grief.
If a symbol is wanted for “Christianity”, it would not be possible to go past an empty, gaping, and slightly-used, burial tomb. That image would present problems. Moreover, the summary or motto became “Christ crucified”. Given the “ordinariness” of the manner of his death and the simplicity of its telling, how does the cross come to be so prominent? (Note by the way, that prominence belongs to the “empty cross”.) The cross is shorthand for Jesus’ death. What kind of death was this?
The clue to the critical and eternal difference in the event may lie in the reported request Jesus made in the garden hours before and reported by the Synoptics. He asked the (His) Father for the cup to be taken from him, except that God’s will be first. (John has a similar passage at 12:27.) This came after Jesus saying to the disciples that he was betrayed. He had more than once said he would be killed, including as he and they made their final Passover journey to Jerusalem. It also came after Jesus took their Passover to apply to himself for them - his was the blood of the covenant (John has similar in chapter 6).
Jesus had made clear his purpose in coming. Simply put it was to do God’s will, to in fact be the Servant of the Lord. The Synoptics report the servant role just subsequently to the warning of his death. Jesus said his death would be giving his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45; see also Luke 22:27). I wonder if there was ever a slave market in Jerusalem - certainly many slaves were taken from Judaea in 70 AD (CE). People would have been familiar with the idea of ransom being paid to free a slave, even if it was uncommon.
John tells us that Jesus is the Door, through which his sheep may find life, and he is the Good Shepherd, giving his life for the sheep (John 10:7-13).
Matthew and Mark (see table) report Jesus’ cry of distress at being abandoned (or forsaken) by God. His words surely reflect Psalm 22. Other NT writing reminds us that the death Jesus experienced was clear evidence of him being then under God’s curse. With all of this I connect: “It is finished”; for all of his brevity, John uniquely included that claim by Jesus. He had done what he intended; God’s plan was given effect; the needed remedy is available.
We might put the truth this way: God showed God's love for us when God sent God's only son into the world to give us life. Real love isn't our love for God, but God's love for us. God sent God's son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven.
Jesus’ death and resurrection can remedy the age-old problem. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God (Romans 4:25, NLT). Examining another facet of the ultimate truth, Paul wrote: But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have now received this reconciliation through Him (Romans 5:8-11, HCSB). So love, God's love, is proven beyond doubt and human beings may be brought to rejoicing.
God's love is a recurrent Bible theme: God showed his love for us when he sent his only son into the world to give us life. Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven (1 John 4:9-10, CEV). What we could not do, God has done.
It is clear (see text) that Jesus determinedly and purposefully went to Jerusalem that last time. His death was essential. Hardly surprising that "Christ Crucified" would be the motto in the years to come.
Link to PDF of whole table (4 pages): https://drive.google.com/open?id=16pdgqhLqDKVpP_WOHrEPTpCo6a2U71MA
Below, in portrait form, is the text which is included in the table.
The crucifixion artifact: The Israel Museum holds the only surviving artefacts of the ancient practice of crucifixion. A c.28 year old man’s bones, including the nailed heel bones (see above), were preserved in a stone ossuary box excavated in 1968 from a family tomb in northeast of Jerusalem. The box also contained the bones of a child. The tomb dates between 37 BCE and 70 AD (CE) and is inscribed "Yehohanan son of Hagkol". A replica is on display at the Museum. The publication, "Biblical Archaeology", has a detailed account from the initial archaeological investigation.
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/crucifixion/a-tomb-in-jerusalem-reveals-the-history-of-crucifixion-and-roman-crucifixion-methods/
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51; ESV)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep (10:11-15, NRSV).
Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people[b] in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”….Thomas, nicknamed the Twin,[c] said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.” (11:7-8, 16; NLT)
Note: Matthew, Mark and Luke each have Jesus predicting his Jerusalem crucifixion 3 times. Following is #3
Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took his 12 disciples to one side to talk to them. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said. “The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles. The people will make fun of him and whip him. They will nail him to a cross. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!” (Matthew 20:17-19, NIRV)
They were on their way up to Jerusalem. Jesus was leading the way. The disciples were amazed. Those who followed were afraid. Again Jesus took the 12 disciples to one side. He told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said. “The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles. They will make fun of him and spit on him. They will whip him and kill him. Three days later he will rise from the dead!” (Mark 10:32-34, NIRV)
Jesus took the 12 disciples to one side. He told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will make fun of him. They will laugh at him and spit on him. They will whip him and kill him. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!”
The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them. So they didn’t know what Jesus was talking about. (Luke 18:31-34; NIRV)
Be like the Son of Man. He did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free.” (Matthew 20:28, NIRV)
Even the Son of Man did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free.” (Mark 10:45, NIRV)
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-28, NRSV).
While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many (Mark 14:22-24, NRSV).
Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.[a] (22:19-20, NRSV) Note - Luke has more just before this.
Compare from early in John Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me… (see John 6:53-58, NRSV)
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39, ESV)
And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:35-36, ESV)
And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:41-42, ESV)
compare:
“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour (John 12:27, ESV).
The Handing Over (All four have the identical expression.)
So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified (Matthew 27:26, NRSV).
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified (Mark 15:15, NRSV).
He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished (Luke 23:25, NRSV).
Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus; (John 19:16, NRSV).
Soldiers mocked their “dead man walking” Jew (Matthew, Mark, John)
When the soldiers had finished making fun of Jesus, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him and led him off to be nailed to a cross. On the way they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross (Matthew 27:31-32, CEV).
When the soldiers had finished making fun of Jesus, they took off the purple robe. They put his own clothes back on him and led him off to be nailed to a cross. Simon from Cyrene happened to be coming in from a farm, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross. Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:20-21, CEV).
As Jesus was being led away, some soldiers grabbed hold of a man from Cyrene named Simon. He was coming in from the fields, but they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus (Luke 23:26, CEV).
and he carried his cross (John 19:17a, CEV)
Jesus consoled the women lamenters (Luke)
And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:33-37, ESV).
And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour[a] when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews” (Mark 15:22-26, ESV).
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. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[a] And they cast lots to divide his garments (Luke 23:33-34, ESV).
bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them (John 19:17b-18, ESV).
Chief priests protested Pilate’s signage (John)
Beloved disciple, Mary his mother and other women standing nearby (John)
Derision and scoffing for Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke)
Two thieves (Matthew, Mark, Luke). One for paradise (Luke)
From noon until three in the afternoon[a] darkness came over the whole land.[b] About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá[c] sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken[d] Me?”[e]
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah!”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, and offered Him a drink. But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save Him!”
Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit. Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary[f] was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.
When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “This man really was God’s Son!”[g] (Matthew 27:45-54, HCSB)
When it was noon,[a] darkness came over the whole land[b] until three in the afternoon.[c] And at three[d] Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá[e] sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”[f]
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “Look, He’s calling for Elijah!” Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, offered Him a drink, and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down!”
But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. Then the curtain of the sanctuary[g] was split in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He[h] breathed His last, he said, “This man really was God’s Son!”[i] (Mark 15:33-39, HCSB)
It was now about noon,[a] and darkness came over the whole land[b] until three,[c] because the sun’s light failed.[d] The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.”[e] Saying this, He breathed His last.
When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests[f] (Luke 23:44-48, HCSB).
After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He said, “I’m thirsty!” A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on hyssop[a] and held it up to His mouth.
When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit (John 19:28-30, HCSB).
Pilate set Barabbas free. Then he ordered his soldiers to beat Jesus with a whip and nail him to a cross.
The governor’s soldiers led Jesus into the fortress[a] and brought together the rest of the troops. They stripped off Jesus' clothes and put a scarlet robe[b] on him. They made a crown out of thorn branches and placed it on his head, and they put a stick in his right hand. The soldiers knelt down and pretended to worship him. They made fun of him and shouted, “Hey, you king of the Jews!” Then they spit on him. They took the stick from him and beat him on the head with it.
When the soldiers had finished making fun of Jesus, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him and led him off to be nailed to a cross. On the way they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross.
They came to a place named Golgotha, which means “Place of a Skull.”[c] There they gave Jesus some wine mixed with a drug to ease the pain. But when Jesus tasted what it was, he refused to drink it.
The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross and gambled to see who would get his clothes. Then they sat down to guard him. Above his head they put a sign that told why he was nailed there. It read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” The soldiers also nailed two criminals on crosses, one to the right of Jesus and the other to his left.
People who passed by said terrible things about Jesus. They shook their heads and shouted, “So you’re the one who claimed you could tear down the temple and build it again in three days! If you are God’s Son, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
The chief priests, the leaders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses also made fun of Jesus. They said, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the king of Israel, he should come down from the cross! Then we will believe him. He trusted God, so let God save him, if he wants to. He even said he was God’s Son.” The two criminals also said cruel things to Jesus.
At noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until three o’clock. Then about that time Jesus shouted, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”[d] which means, “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?”
Some of the people standing there heard Jesus and said, “He’s calling for Elijah.”[e] One of them at once ran and grabbed a sponge. He soaked it in wine, then put it on a stick and held it up to Jesus.
Others said, “Wait! Let’s see if Elijah will come[f] and save him.” Once again Jesus shouted, and then he died.
At once the curtain in the temple[g] was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and rocks split apart. Graves opened, and many of God’s people were raised to life. Then after Jesus had risen to life, they came out of their graves and went into the holy city, where they were seen by many people.
The officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus felt the earthquake and saw everything else that happened. They were frightened and said, “This man really was God’s Son!”
Many women had come with Jesus from Galilee to be of help to him, and they were there, looking on at a distance. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of James and John[h] were some of these women (Matthew 27:26-56, CEV).
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged[a] Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters),[b] and they called together the whole battalion.[c] And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.
And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour[d] when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left.[e] And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.
And when the sixth hour[f] had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.[g] And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he[h] breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son[i] of God!”
There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem (Mark 15:15-41, ESV).
(Pilate) released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.
As they led Him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. A large crowd of people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him. But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children. Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’[a] For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with Him. When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”][b] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.
The people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing: “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine and said, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”
An inscription was above Him:[c]
THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at[d] Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”
But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me[e] when You come into Your kingdom!”
And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
It was now about noon,[f] and darkness came over the whole land[g] until three,[h] because the sun’s light failed.[i] The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.”[j] Saying this, He breathed His last.
When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.[k] But all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things (Luke 23:25-49, HCSB).
Finally, Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be nailed to a cross.
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. He had to carry his own cross. He went out to a place called the Skull. In the Aramaic language it was called Golgotha. There they nailed Jesus to the cross. Two other men were crucified with him. One was on each side of him. Jesus was in the middle.
Pilate had a notice prepared. It was fastened to the cross. It read,
jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews.
Many of the Jews read the sign. That’s because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. And the sign was written in the Aramaic, Latin and Greek languages. The chief priests of the Jews argued with Pilate. They said, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews.’ Write that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”
Pilate answered, “I have written what I have written.”
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes. They divided them into four parts. Each soldier got one part. All that was left was Jesus’ long, inner robe. It did not have any seams. It was made out of one piece of cloth from top to bottom.
“Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s cast lots to see who will get it.”
This happened so that Scripture would come true. It says,
“They divided up my clothes among them. They cast lots for what I was wearing.” (Psalm 22:18)
So that is what the soldiers did.
Jesus’ mother stood near his cross. So did his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw his mother there. He also saw the disciple he loved standing nearby. Jesus said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son.” He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, the disciple took her into his home.
Later, Jesus knew that everything had now been finished. He also knew that what Scripture said must come true. So he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there. So they soaked a sponge in it. They put the sponge on the stem of a hyssop plant. Then they lifted it up to Jesus’ lips. After Jesus drank he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died.
It was Preparation Day. The next day would be a special Sabbath day. The Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath day. So they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the other man. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead. So they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus’ side. Right away, blood and water flowed out. The man who saw it has been a witness about it. And what he has said is true. He knows that he tells the truth. He is a witness so that you also may believe. These things happened in order that Scripture would come true. It says, “Not one of his bones will be broken.” (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20) Scripture also says, “They will look to the one they have pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10) (John 19:16-37, NIRV)
Artefact image courtesy of www.HolyLandPhotos.org
Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (HCSB) are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture quotations marked (NIRV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL READER'S VERSION®.Copyright © 1996, 1998 Biblica. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of Biblica.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Note: I retain in the publishers' text where they occur the references to footnotes, but usually not the notes. You can check them out by viewing the text on-line. Often they are replicated in different translations.
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