Luke 23:26-49

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Crucifixion of Jesus

²⁶ As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.^{(A) 27} A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.^{(B) 28} But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.^{(C) 29} For the days are surely 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.’^{(D) 31} For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”^(E)

³² Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.^{(F) 33} When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus^[a] there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[³⁴ Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”]]^[b] And they cast lots to divide his clothing.^{(G) 35} And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah^[c] of God, his chosen one!”^{(H) 36} The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine^{(I) 37} and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him,^[d] “This is the King of the Jews.”

³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding^[e] him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah?^[f] Save yourself and us!”^{(J) 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 have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”^{(K) 42} Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in^[g] your kingdom.” ⁴³ He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”^(L)

The Death of Jesus

⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land^[h] until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ while the sun’s light failed,^[i] and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.^{(M) 46} Then Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.^{(N) 47} When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”^{[j](O) 48} And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. ⁴⁹ But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.^(P)