Matthew 27:32–56

Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross

32On their way out of the city, they met a man from Cyrene. His name was Simon. They forced him to carry the cross.

33They came to a place called Golgotha. The word Golgotha means The Place of the Skull. 34There they mixed wine with bitter spices and gave it to Jesus to drink. After tasting it, he refused to drink it.

35When they had nailed him to the cross, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36They sat down and kept watch over him there.

37Above his head they placed the written charge against him. It read, This Is Jesus, The King of the Jews.

38Two robbers were crucified with him. One was on his right and one was on his left.

39Those who passed by shouted at Jesus and made fun of him. They shook their heads 40and said, “So you are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days? Then save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”

41In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders made fun of him. 42“He saved others,” they said. “But he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross! Then we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him. He’s the one who said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

44In the same way the robbers who were being crucified with Jesus also made fun of him.

Jesus Dies

45From noon until three o’clock, the whole land was covered with darkness. 46About three o’clock, Jesus cried out in a loud voice. He said, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” This means “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” (Psalm 22:1)

47Some of those standing there heard Jesus cry out. They said, “He’s calling for Elijah.”

48Right away one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar and put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink. 49The rest said, “Leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50After Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, he died.

51At that moment the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook. The rocks split. 52Tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs. After Jesus was raised to life, they went into the holy city. There they appeared to many people.

54The Roman commander and those guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened. They were terrified. They exclaimed, “He was surely the Son of God!”

55Not very far away, many women were watching. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to take care of his needs. 56Mary Magdalene was among them. Mary, the mother of James and Joses, was also there. So was the mother of Zebedee’s sons.