023:022 A third time he appealed to them: "Why, what crime has
the man committed? I have discovered in him nothing that
deserves death. I will therefore give him a light punishment
and release him."
023:023 But they urgently insisted, demanding with frantic outcries
that He should be crucified; and their clamour prevailed.
023:024 So Pilate gave judgement, yielding to their demand.
023:025 The man who was lying in prison charged with riot and murder
and for whom they clamoured he set free, but Jesus he gave
up to be dealt with as they desired.
023:026 As soon as they led Him away, they laid hold on one Simon,
a Cyrenaean, who was coming in from the country, and on his
shoulders they put the cross, for him to carry it behind Jesus.
023:027 A vast crowd of the people also followed Him, and of women
who were beating their breasts and wailing for Him.
023:028 But Jesus turned towards them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem,
weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
023:029 For a time is coming when they will say, `Blessed are
the women who never bore children, and the breasts which have
never given nourishment.'
023:030 Then will they begin to say to the mountains, `Fall on us;'
and to the hills, `Cover us.'
023:031 For if they are doing these things in the case of the green tree,
what will be done in that of the dry?"
023:032 They brought also two others, criminals, to put them to
death with Him.
023:033 When they reached the place called `The Skull,' there they
nailed Him to the cross, and the criminals also, one at His
right hand and one at His left.
023:034 Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what
they are doing." And they divided His garments among them,
drawing lots for them;
023:035 and the people stood looking on. The Rulers, too, repeatedly uttered
their bitter taunts. "This fellow," they said, "saved others:
let him save himself, if he is God's Anointed, the Chosen One."
023:036 And the soldiers also made sport of Him, coming and offering
Him sour wine and saying,