Crucifixion of The King

Ben Harris | Apr 18, 2025

Scripture: Matthew 27:31-61

31 After they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.(A)

Crucified Between Two Criminals

32 As they were going out, they found a Cyrenian man named Simon. They forced him to carry his cross.(B) 33 When they came to a place called Golgotha(C) (which means Place of the Skull), 34 they gave him wine[a] mixed with gall to drink. But when he tasted it, he refused to drink it. 35 After crucifying him, they divided his clothes by casting lots.[b](D) 36 Then they sat down and were guarding him there. 37 Above his head they put up the charge against him in writing: This Is Jesus, the King of the Jews.

38 Then two criminals[c] were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.(E) 39 Those who passed by were yelling insults at[d] him, shaking their heads(F) 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” (G) 41 In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes and elders,[e] mocked him and said, 42 “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the King of Israel!(H) Let him[f] come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God rescue him now—if he takes pleasure in him![g] For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way even the criminals who were crucified with him taunted him.(I)

The Death of Jesus

45 From noon until three in the afternoon,[h] darkness came over the whole land.[i](J) 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá[j] sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”[k](K)

47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.”

48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink.(L) 49 But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50 But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.(M) 51 Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary(N) was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were also opened(O) and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.

54 When the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (P)

55 Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and looked after him were there, watching from a distance.(Q) 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.(R)

The Burial of Jesus

57 When it was evening,(S) a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple(T) of Jesus. 58 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. Then Pilate ordered that it[l] be released. 59 So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, 60 and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb.(U) 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb.

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Footnotes

  1. 27:34 Other mss read sour wine
  2. 27:35 Other mss add that what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: “They divided my clothes among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
  3. 27:38 Or revolutionaries
  4. 27:39 Lit passed by blasphemed, or were blaspheming
  5. 27:41 Other mss add and Pharisees
  6. 27:42 Other mss read If he ... Israel, let him
  7. 27:43 Or if he wants him
  8. 27:45 Lit From the sixth hour to the ninth hour
  9. 27:45 Or whole earth
  10. 27:46 Some mss read lama; other mss read lima
  11. 27:46 Ps 22:1
  12. 27:58 Other mss read that the body

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