Hey everyone.
Well here we are on Friday. The day we all knew was coming. The day of Jesus’ crucifixion. And its account is remarkable in how simple and “matter-of-fact” it is. There’s no flowery language, no tugging at the emotions; just a straight forward account of what happened. That being said, today, I’m going to do as little commenting on the account as I can. I’ve taken all the gospel accounts and woven them together to the best of my knowledge and ability. I’m not going to announce when one gospel writer begins and another ends. I’ll make comments only to aid in the flow of the narrative.
So let us begin with Friday, in the early morning, the 15th day of the month of Nisan, 30 A.D.
Jesus’ Betrayal and arrest
2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus often resorted there with his disciples.
3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came to the Garden where Jesus was with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Matthew 26:47-56
Meanwhile, Jesus had just finished speaking with His disciples when Judas came
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am he.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
This He said,
9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Of them which you gave me have I lost none.
48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
49 So, at that moment he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
50 And Jesus said unto him, Judas, Friend, why have you come? Do you betray the Son of man with a kiss? Then the mob came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
49 Well when the disciples of Jesus saw what would follow, they said to him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, stretched out his hand, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and cut off his ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
51 Then Jesus stepped forward to Malchus and said, Suffer ye thus far. And touched his ear, and healed him.
52 Then said Jesus to Peter Put up thy sword into the sheath: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. the cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?
53 Do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be thus?
52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and you laid no hold on me. but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
56 now all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
51 And one of Jesu followers who fled was a young man, dressed with a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the arresting men laid hold on him:
52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, bound him,
Trial
1st Jewish phase before Annas
John 18:13-24
13 And led him away to Annas first; the former high priest, for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 in the meantime Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple, John: John was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then John went out and spoke to the maid that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
17 Then said the damsel that kept the door to Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? And He said, I am not.
18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20 Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, where the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I said to them: behold, they know what I said.
22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
23 then Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
24 Now Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, his son-in-law, the current high priest.
2nd Jewish phase before Sanhedrin and Caiaphas
Mark 14:53-65
and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.
55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
56 For many brought false witness against him, but their witness did not agree together.
Then At the last came two false witnesses,
saying,
58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
59 But their testimony did not agree together.
60 And the high priest stood up in the middle, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
61 But Jesus held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and said, What need we any further witnesses?
64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And all the gathered elders condemned him declaring him to be guilty of death.
At this time, some of the servants present blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, thou Christ, who is it that smote thee?
65 And some began to spit on him
65 And many other things did they blasphemously speak against him.
Peter’s denials
22:55-65
55meanwhile out in the courtyard where Simon Peter stood and warmed himself by the fire
56 certain young woman beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
57 And he denied, Woman, I know him not.
71 And when he was gone out into the porch, the cock crew.
59 And about the space of one hour after a man saw him, 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, confidently affirmed, saying, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. Surely thou also art one of them; for your speech betrayeth thee.
And Peter said, Man, I am not. and began to curse and swear, And he denied with an oath, saying I do not know the man.
And immediately, while he yet spake, 72 the second time the cock crew. 61 And the Lord Jesus turned, and looked at Peter across the courtyard. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
3rd Jewish phase before the Sanhedrin
Luke 22:66-71
66now as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: and led him into the council of the Sanhedrin, and asked him
67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
So the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away,
Judas suicide
Matthew 27:3-10
3now at this time Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, was sorry and repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
(Acts 1:18-19)
and his body falling headlong, he burst open in his middle, and all his bowels gushed out.
6now the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
7 And they took counsel, and bought with the reward of iniquity;the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
1st Roman phase, before Pilate
Matthew 27:2
Now back with the council of the Sanhedrin, they arose 2 And they bound Jesus and led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
John 18:28-38
28 to Pilates hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
29 Pilate then went out to them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
2 then they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
31 Then said Pilate unto them, You Take him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying what death he should die. The death of crucifixion.
33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
And bringing Jesus before the elders
3 the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
4 And Pilate asked Jesus saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.
5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.
(Now as morning began to dawn, great numbers of people began arriving in Jerusalem, and began noticing the proceedings of the trial before Pilate)
5 But the chief priests and elders were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
2nd Roman phase before Herod Antipas
Luke 23:6-12
6well When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
8 now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad: for he had desired to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things about him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but Jesus answered him nothing.
10 again the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. But Jesus answered nothing
11 so Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
(As Jesus is led back to Pilates judgement hall, masses of curious people begin trailing the entourage of chief priests, elders, scribes, soldiers, and Jesus, to see what was happening.)
3rd Roman phase before Pilate
13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
6 Now, (it was customery) at the feast (that Pilate) release to them one prisoner, whoever they desired.
7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was a robber.
which was bound with them that had committed insurrection and who had committed murder in the insurrection.
8 And the (gathering) multitude began crying aloud desiring that Pilate release one prisoner.
so Pilate answered the multitude Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?
will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
18:39-19:16
But the people said, Barabbas.
22 therforePilate said to them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
11 for the chief priests had moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
19 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
3 And (as they did so, they mocked Him saying) Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
4 Pilate therefore went forth (to the gathered multitude) again, and said to them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
5 Then came Jesus forth, (bloodied and bruised) wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate said unto them, Behold the man!
6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. So Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done?
But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
Then Pilate answered; Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
9 And Pilate went again into the judgment hall, and said to Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
12 And from then forward Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent (a message) to him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he said to the Jews, Behold your King!
15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water (in a basin), and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them,
24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
16 Then delivered Jesus to them to be crucified. And (the soldiers) took Jesus, and led him
out to crucify him.
23:26-33a
26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Calvary,
23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle.
36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
1st 3 hours of crucifixion
and they took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
36 And sitting down the soldiers watched him there;
19 now Pilate had written a title, in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew,His accusation, and put it on the cross.
26 And it read, The King Of The Jews.
20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was near to the city:
21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
28 thus the scripture was fulfilled, which says, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
35 And the (multitudes of) people stood watching.
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, John the beloved disciple, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, he said to his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocked him, with the scribes and elders, and said,
42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, the chosen of God 32 Let Christ the King now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
(but as the time passed the heart of one of those thieves began to soften toward Jesus)
39 now the other thief which was hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the first thief rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he turned and said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Last 3 hours of crucifixion
Matthew 27:45-50
45 Now from the sixth hour there came darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
47 so Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calls for Elias.
Now Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
But the others said, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.
(and having taken a drink then)
46Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, It is finished Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.
Witnesses of Jesus’ death
Matthew 27:51-56
51 And, behold, (at that moment) the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened;
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, and saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, he glorified God, saying, Truly this was a righteous man. this was the Son of God.
48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
49 And some of Jesus’ acquaintances,55 many of them women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him:
56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children. and Salome;
Friday 12 P.M.
Burial
Death certification and procurement of the body
John 19:31-38
After these things
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation (for the Sabbath day), that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath was an high day,) asked Pilate that the legs (of the crucified) might be broken, (so they would die quickly) and that they might be taken away.
32 Then came the soldiers, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they didn’t his legs:
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
35 And (John, Jesus’ beloved disciple) saw it and bare record, and his record is true: and he knows that he says the truth, that you might believe.
36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
37 And again another scripture says, They shall look on him whom they (have) pierced.
38 And after this came Joseph of Arimathaea, (who was a member of the Jewish court that had condemned Jesus. 51( He had not voted for Jesus condemnation) He was a just man who also waited for the kingdom of God, and he was secretly a disciple of Jesus, but did not reveal it publicly for fear of the Jews.
But at this time, he went in boldly to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus to be released to him.
44 And Pilate marvelled if Jesus was already dead: and calling to him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. (Then discovering that Jesus was dead)
Pilate gave him (Joseph permission to take the body). He came therefore, and took the body (down from the cross) 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
Jesus body placed in a tomb
Mark 15:46
46 And Joseph had bought fine linen, 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it the linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden Joseph owned a new sepulchre, (which have never been used) which was hewn out of a rock,
So Joseph and Nicodemus laid him in the sepulchre
Then they he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre.
John 19:39-42
42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the tomb nearby.
Friday evening
Tomb watched by soldiers and women
Matthew 27:61-66
61 (And certain of the women) Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Joses 55 (And others had followed after these two men and sat across from the sepulcre while they placed Him making note of where Jesus was laid.)
56 And the women returned home, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the next day, the sabbath day according to the commandment.
62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together to Pilate, and said
63 Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a your guards: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting soldiers as guard over the tomb.
And thus concludes Friday of Passion week, Heavenly Father, we ask for your blessing on the reading of your Word, may it do exactly as you have promised, may it not return to us until it has entered the ears and hearts of the hearers and accomplished the work that you desire it to do. In Jesus name, amen