JESUS Is Crucified.

       They brought HIM to the place called Golgotha, which means the place of the skull. They offered HIM some wine that had been mixed with myrrh, but HE refused to take it. Then they crucified HIM and divided HIS garments among them, casting lots for them to see what each should take.

       It was around nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified HIM. The inscription giving the charge against HIM read, "The King of the Jews." Along with HIM they crucified two thieves, one on HIS right and the other on HIS left. [Thus was the Scripture fulfilled that says, "And HE was counted among the wicked."]

       Those people who passed by jeered at HIM, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who claimed you could destroy the temple and rebuild it within three days, save yourself and come down from the cross."

       In much the same way, the chief priests and the scribes joined in the mockery among themselves, saying, "He saved others, but he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the cross right now so that we may see it and come to believe." Those who were crucified with HIM also taunted HIM.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 22 - 32

The Way of the Cross.

       They compelled a passer-by who was returning from the country to carry HIS cross. The man was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSE 21

JESUS Is Crowned with Thorns.

       Then the soldiers led JESUS away inside the palace, that is, the Praetorium, and they called the whole cohort together. They dressed HIM in a purple robe and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they placed it on HIM. Then they began to salute HIM with the words, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They repeatedly struck HIS head with a reed, spat upon HIM, and knelt down before HIM in homage. And when they had finished mocking HIM, they stripped HIM of HIS purple robe and dressed HIM in HIS own clothes. Then they led HIM out to crucify HIM.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 16 - 20

JESUS Is Sentenced to Death.

       Now on the occasion of the feast, he released a prisoner to them, anyone for whom they asked. At the time, a man named Barabbas was in prison along with some rebels who had committed murder during an uprising. When the crowd came forward and began to ask him to do the customary favor for them, Pilate asked them, "Do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?" For he realized that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed HIM over.

       However, the chief priests incited the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate then asked, "And what shall I do with the man you call the king of the Jews?" They shouted back, "Crucify him!" Pilate asked them, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they only screamed all the louder, "Crucify him!" And so Pilate, anxious to appease the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and after ordering JESUS to be scourged, he handed HIM over to be crucified.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 6 - 15

JESUS Before Pilate.

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a council with the elders and the scribes and the whole Sanhedrin. They bound JESUS and led HIM away, and handed HIM over to Pilate.

       Pilate asked HIM, "Are you the king of the Jews?" JESUS replied, "You have said so." Then the chief priests brought many charges against HIM. Again, Pilate questioned HIM, "Have you no answer to offer? Just consider how many charges they are leveling against you." But JESUS offered no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 15, VERSES 1 - 5

Peter Denies JESUS.

       While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest's servant girls came by. When she noticed Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, "You also were with JESUS, the man from Nazareth." But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are talking about." Thereupon he went forth into the outer courtyard. Then the cock crowed. The servant girl saw him and again began to say to the bystanders: "This man is one of them." But again he denied it.

       Shortly afterward, some bystanders said to Peter, "You are unquestionably one of them, for you are a Galilean." Then he began to shout curses, and he swore an oath: "I do not know this man you are talking about." At that very moment, a cock crowed for a second time, and Peter remembered that JESUS had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny ME three times." And he broke down and wept.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 66 - 72

JESUS Is Condemned by the Sanhedrin.

       They led JESUS away to the high priest, where the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were gathering. Meanwhile, Peter had followed HIM at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest, and he was sitting there with the attendants, warming himself at the fire.

       The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin tried to elicit testimony against JESUS so that they could put HIM to death, but they failed in their efforts. Many witnesses offered perjured testimony against HIM, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false witness against HIM: "We heard this man say, 'I will destroy this temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another not made with hands.' " But even on this point their statements did not agree.

       The high priest then rose among them and asked JESUS, "Have you no reply to counter the testimony that these witnesses have given?" But HE remained silent and offered no response. Again, the high priest questioned HIM, asking, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" JESUS replied, "I AM.

       And you will see THE SON OF MAN

          seated at the right hand of THE POWER

          and coming with the clouds of heaven."

       Thereupon the high priest tore his garments and exclaimed, "What need do we have of any further witnesses! You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?" They all condemned HIM as guilty and deserving of death. Some of them began to spit at HIM. They blindfolded HIM and struck HIM, taunting HIM as they said, "Prophesy!" And the guards also slapped HIM.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 53 - 65

JESUS Is Arrested.

       At once, while HE was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him there was a crowd of men, armed with swords and clubs, who had been sent by the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now HIS betrayer had agreed with them on a signal, saying, "The one I shall kiss is the man. Arrest HIM, and lead HIM away under guard!" And so, when he came, he proceeded directly to JESUS and said "Rabbi!" and kissed HIM. Then they seized HIM and placed HIM under arrest. Meanwhile, one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck a servant of the high priest, slicing off his ear.

       Then JESUS said to them, "Why are you coming forth with swords and clubs to arrest ME, as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest ME. But in this way the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then everyone deserted HIM and fled. Among those who had followed JESUS was a young man wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he slipped out of the linen cloth and ran off naked.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 43 - 52

The Agony in the Garden.

       Then they went to a place that was called Gethsemane, and JESUS said to HIS disciples, "Sit here while I pray." HE took with HIM Peter and James and John, and HE began to suffer distress and anguish. And HE said to them, "MY soul is sorrowful, even to the point of death. Remain here and keep watch."

       Moving on a little farther, HE threw HIMSELF on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass HIM by, saying, "ABBA, FATHER, for YOU all things are possible. Take this cup from ME. Yet not MY will but YOURS be done."

       Returning to the disciples, HE found them sleeping. HE said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing but the flesh is weak."

       Again, HE went apart and prayed, saying the same words. Then HE came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to say to HIM. When HE returned a third time, HE said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come when THE SON OF MAN is to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up! Let us go! Look, MY betrayer is approaching."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 32 - 42

JESUS Predicts Peter's Denial.

       Then JESUS said to them, "You will all be scandalized, for it is written:

       'I will strike the shepherd,

          and the sheep will be scattered.'

But after I have been raised up, I shall go ahead of you to Galilee." Peter said to HIM, "Even if all the others will be scandalized, I will never be." JESUS replied, "Amen, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny ME three times." But Peter insisted, "If I have to die with YOU, I will not deny YOU." And they all said the same thing.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 27 - 31