Forsaken Me
32 As they were on their way out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; and they compelled him to go with them to carry the cross. 33 On reaching a place named Golgotha (a place named from its likeness to a skull), 34 they gave him some wine to drink which had been mixed with gall; but after tasting it, Jesus refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him.
37 Above his head they fixed the accusation against him, written out: ‘THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ 38 At the same time, two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right, the other on the left. 39 The passers-by railed at him, shaking their heads as they said: 40 “You who ‘destroy the temple and build one in three days,’ save yourself! If you are God’s Son, come down from the cross!”
41 In the same way the chief priests, with the teachers of the law and councilors, said in mockery: 42 “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the ‘King of Israel’! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He has trusted in God; if God wants him, let him deliver him now; for he said: ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 Even the robbers who were crucified with him reviled him in the same way.
45 After mid-day a darkness came over all the country, lasting until three in the afternoon. 46 At about three Jesus called out loudly: “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”: that is to say, ‘My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?’ 47 Some of those standing by heard this, and said: “The man is calling for Elijah!”
48 One of them immediately ran and took a sponge, and, filling it with common wine, put it on the end of a rod and offered it to him to drink. 49 But the rest said: “Wait and let us see if Elijah is coming to save him.” However another man took a spear and pierced his side; and water and blood flowed from it. 50 But Jesus, uttering another loud cry, gave up his spirit.
51 Suddenly the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, the rocks were torn asunder, 52 The tombs opened, and the bodies of many of God’s people who had fallen asleep rose, 53 And they, leaving their tombs, went after the resurrection of Jesus into the Holy City and appeared to many people. 54 The Roman captain and the men with him who were watching Jesus, on seeing the earthquake, and all that was happening, became greatly frightened and exclaimed: “This must indeed have been God’s Son!”
55 There were many women watching from a distance, who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, and had been attending on him. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebediah’s sons. 57 When evening had fallen, there came a rich man from Arimathǽa, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to see Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; upon which Pilate ordered it to be given him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen sheet, 60 And laid it in his newly-made tomb which he had cut in the rock; and before he left, he rolled a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained behind, sitting in front of the grave.
62 The next day (that is, the day following the preparation-day) the chief priests and Pharisees came together to see Pilate and said: 63 “Sir, we remember that during his lifetime that impostor said: ‘I shall rise after three days.’ 64 So order the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise his disciples may come and steal him, and then say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ so the last imposture will be worse than the first.” 65 “You may have a guard,” was Pilate’s reply; “go and make the tomb as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone, in presence of the guard.
———
To read the Chapter 28 of the Gospel of Matthew, please click on the following link: Jesus is Risen.
Gain fresh insight into the Lord’s Prayer. Read our free online book The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life. The prayer’s hidden teachings will enrich and inspire you. Click the following link to begin reading the Living Hour book now: The Lord’s Prayer.
Browse the entire Gospel of Matthew here: Gospel of Matthew
