1 Então levaram Jesus à presença de Pilatos, o governador, e começaram a acusá-lo: Este homem tem manipulado o povo dizendo-lhe que não pague impostos a César e afirmando que é Cristo, o rei.3 Pilatos perguntou-lhe: És o rei dos judeus? Sim, é como dizes.4 Pilatos voltou-se para os principais dos sacerdotes e para a multidão e disse: Mas isto não constitiui um crime!5 E insistiram: É que ele anda também a provocar tumultos contra o governo, para onde quer que vá, por toda a Judeia, desde a Galileia até Jerusalém.6 Então ele é galileu?, perguntou Pilatos ouvindo falar na Galileia. Quando lhe disseram que sim, Pilatos mandou-o a Herodes, porque a Galileia achava-se sob a jurisdição deste; além de que Herodes se encontrava em Jerusalém naquela altura.8 Herodes ficou muito satisfeito com esta oportunidade de ver Jesus, porque ouvira falar muito nele e esperava vê-lo realizar qualquer milagre. Todavia, embora fizesse a Jesus perguntas sobre perguntas, não obteve resposta. Entretanto, os principais sacerdotes e os mestres da lei não arredavam pé, continuando a gritar acusações.11 Herodes e os seus soldados começaram também a troçar de Jesus e, vestindo-lhe um trajo a fingir de rei, devolveram-no a Pilatos. Naquele dia, Herodes e Pilatos, que antes não se davam, tornaram-se bons amigos.13 Então Pilatos reuniu os principais sacerdotes e outros chefes, juntamente com o povo, e anunciou a sua sentença: Vocês trouxeram-me este homem acusando-o de chefiar uma revolta contra o governo romano. Examinei-o demoradamente sobre este ponto e verifico que está inocente. Também Herodes chegou à mesma conclusão e mandou-o de novo para mim, pois nada do que fez exige a pena de morte. Portanto, vou mandá-lo castigar e soltá-lo.17 Nesse instante, ouviu-se um clamor da multidão, que a uma só voz gritou: Mata-o e solta-nos Barrabás! Barrabás encontrava-se preso, acusado de provocar uma revolta em Jerusalém, e também por homicídio. Pilatos ainda discutiu com eles, pois queria soltar Jesus, mas eles gritavam: Crucifica-o! Crucifica-o!22 De novo, pela terceira vez, Pilatos perguntou: Mas porquê? Que crime cometeu? Não encontrei qualquer motivo para o condenar à morte! Portanto, vou açoitá-lo e pô-lo em liberdade. Mas eles gritavam sempre mais alto, reclamando a execução e Jesus, e a sua vontade prevaleceu. Por fim, Pilatos condenou Jesus à morte, tal com lho exigiam. A pedido deles soltou Barrabás, o homem que estava preso, acusado de insurreição e homicídio. Mas entregou Jesus à multidão para que fizesse dele o que lhe apetecesse.26 Quando eles levavam Jesus para ser morto, Simão, um cireneu que acabava de entrar em Jerusalém vindo do campo, foi forçado a acompanhá-los, transportando a cruz de Jesus. Atrás seguia um grande cortejo, incluindo muitas mulheres vergadas pelo desgosto.28 Mas Jesus voltou-se e disse-lhes:29 Filhas de Jerusalém, não chorem por mim mas por vocês e pelos vossos filhos. Porque vem aí o dia em que as mulheres sem filhos serão consideradas felizes. As pessoas implorarão às montanhas que caiam sobre eles e os esmaguem, e aos montes que os enterrem. Porque se a mim, a árvore viva, me tratam assim, que não farão a vocês?32 E dois criminosos foram levados para serem executados no mesmo local, chamado A Caveira. Aí foram crucificados os três, Jesus ao centro, e os dois criminosos um de cada lado.34 Pai, perdoa-lhes, disse Jesus, porque não sabem o que fazem. Entretanto, os soldados tiravam à sorte para verem quem ficaria com as várias peças do seu vestuário.35 A multidão assistia à cena e os chefes judaicos riam-se e faziam troça. Ajudava tanto os outros, diziam, vamos a ver se se salva a si mesmo, se é realmente o Cristo, o escolhido de Deus.36 Também os soldados troçavam dele. E deram-lhe vinagre a beber, gritando-lhe: Se és o rei dos judeus, salva-te a ti próprio! Por cima dela estava esta inscrição: ESTE É O REI DOS JUDEUS.39 Um dos criminosos pendurados ao seu lado também zombava: Se és o Cristo salva-te a ti mesmo, e também a nós!40 Mas o outro criminoso repreendeu-o: Não tens temor de Deus, nem mesmo sofrendo a mesma condenação? Nós merecemos a morte pelos maus actos que cometemos, mas este homem nada fez de mal. E acrescentou: Jesus, lembra-te de mim quando entrares no teu reino.43 E Jesus respondeu: Garanto-te que hoje estarás comigo no paraíso.44 Era agora meio-dia, e as trevas abateram-se sobre toda a terra durante três horas, até à três da tarde. A luz do Sol desapareceu, e o véu pendurado no templo rasgou-se em dois. Jesus disse com voz forte: Pai, entrego-te o meu espírito. E com estas palavras morreu.47 Quando o oficial romano viu o que sucedera, deu louvor a Deus e disse: Não há dúvida de que este homem estava inocente . A multidão que tinha vindo para assistir à crucificação, depois de Jesus ter morrido, voltou para casa profundamente triste. Entretanto, os amigos de Jesus, incluindo as mulheres que o tinham seguido desde a Galileia, encontravam-se à distância a observar a cena.50 Um homem chamado José, membro do supremo tribunal e vindo da cidade de Arimateia, na Judeia, foi ter com Pilatos e pediu-lhe o corpo de Jesus. Era um homem bom e recto que esperava a vinda do reino de Deus e que não concordara com as decisões e medidas dos outros chefes judaicos.53 Assim desceu o corpo de Jesus e envolveu-o num lençol, colocando-o num túmulo ainda por estrear, escavado numa parede de rocha. Isto aconteceu ao fim de uma tarde de sexta-feira, dia de preparação para o sábado.55 Enquanto o corpo era levado, as mulheres da Galileia acompanharam-no e viram-no ser transportado para dentro do túmulo. Depois, voltando para casa, prepararam os produtos e perfumes necessários para o ungirem, mas quando terminaram era já sábado, pelo que descansaram todo aquele dia, com o exigia a lei judaica.

1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him to Pilate.2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this man perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cesar, saying, that he himself is Christ a king.3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests, and to the people, I find no fault in this man.5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself was also at Jerusalem at that time.8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he had been for a long time, desirous to see him, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him.9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.11 And Herod with his troops set him at naught, 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.13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, and the rulers, and the people,14 Said to them, Ye have brought this man to 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 of which ye accuse him;15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and lo, nothing worthy of death is done to him:16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.17 (For of necessity he must release one to them at the feast.)18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas:19 (Who, for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spoke again to them.21 But they cried, saying, Crucify, crucify him.22 And he said to them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him; I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.23 And they were urgent with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified: and the voices of them, and of the chief priests prevailed.24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.25 And he released to them him that for sedition and murder had been cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, 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, who also bewailed and lamented him.28 But Jesus turning to 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 which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts which never nourished infants.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 will be done in the dry?32 And two others, who were malefactors, were led with him to be put to death.33 And when they had come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors; one on the right hand, and the other on the left.34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he is Christ the chosen of God.36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,37 And saying, If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself.38 And a superscription also was written over him, in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.39 And one of the malefactors, who were hanged, railed on him, saying, If thou art Christ, save thyself and us.40 But the other answering, 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 said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.43 And Jesus said to him, Verily I say to thee, This day shalt thou be with me in paradise.44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.45 And the sun was darkened, and the vail of the temple was rent in the midst.46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he expired.47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off beholding these things.50 And behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counselor: and he was a good man, and a just:51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them) he was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews; who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.52 This man went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, in which man was never before laid.54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.55 And the women also, who came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid.56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested on the sabbath, according to the commandment.