Jesus Is Sentenced to Be Crucified
1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. 2The soldiers twisted thorns together to make a crown. They put it on Jesus’ head. Then they put a purple robe on him. 3They went up to him again and again. They kept saying, “We honor you, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.
4Once more Pilate came out. He said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing Jesus out to you. I want to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Then Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”
6As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. I myself find no basis for a charge against him.”
7The Jewish leaders replied, “We have a law. That law says he must die. He claimed to be the Son of God.”
8When Pilate heard that, he was even more afraid. 9He went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus. But Jesus did not answer him. 10“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you understand? I have the power to set you free or to nail you to a cross.”
11Jesus answered, “You were given power from heaven. If you weren’t, you would have no power over me. So the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
12From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free. But the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend! Anyone who claims to be a king is against Caesar!”
13When Pilate heard that, he brought Jesus out. Pilate sat down on the judge’s seat. It was at a place called the Stone Walkway. In the Aramaic language it was called Gabbatha. 14It was about noon on Preparation Day in Passover Week.
“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.
15But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”
“Should I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.
“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.
16Finally, Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be nailed to a cross.
Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross
So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17He had to carry his own cross. He went out to a place called the Skull. In the Aramaic language it was called Golgotha. 18There they nailed Jesus to the cross. Two other men were crucified with him. One was on each side of him. Jesus was in the middle.
19Pilate had a notice prepared. It was fastened to the cross. It read,
Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.
20Many of the Jews read the sign. That’s because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. And the sign was written in the Aramaic, Latin and Greek languages. 21The chief priests of the Jews argued with Pilate. They said, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews.’ Write that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”
22Pilate answered, “I have written what I have written.”
23When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes. They divided them into four parts. Each soldier got one part. All that was left was Jesus’ long, inner robe. It did not have any seams. It was made out of one piece of cloth from top to bottom.
24“Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s cast lots to see who will get it.”
This happened so that Scripture would come true. It says,
“They divided up my clothes among them.
They cast lots for what I was wearing.” (Psalm 22:18)
So that is what the soldiers did.
25Jesus’ mother stood near his cross. So did his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26Jesus saw his mother there. He also saw the disciple he loved standing nearby. Jesus said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, the disciple took her into his home.
Jesus Dies
28Later, Jesus knew that everything had now been finished. He also knew that what Scripture said must come true. So he said, “I am thirsty.” 29A jar of wine vinegar was there. So they soaked a sponge in it. They put the sponge on the stem of a hyssop plant. Then they lifted it up to Jesus’ lips. 30After Jesus drank he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died.
31It was Preparation Day. The next day would be a special Sabbath day. The Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath day. So they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the other man. 33But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead. So they did not break his legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus’ side. Right away, blood and water flowed out. 35The man who saw it has been a witness about it. And what he has said is true. He knows that he tells the truth. He is a witness so that you also may believe. 36These things happened in order that Scripture would come true. It says, “Not one of his bones will be broken.” (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20) 37Scripture also says, “They will look to the one they have pierced.” (Zechariah 12:10)
Jesus Is Buried
38Later Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Joseph was from the town of Arimathea. He was a follower of Jesus. But he followed Jesus secretly because he was afraid of the Jewish leaders. After Pilate gave him permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39Nicodemus went with Joseph. He was the man who had earlier visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought some mixed spices that weighed about 75 pounds. 40The two men took Jesus’ body. They wrapped it in strips of linen cloth, along with the spices. That was the way the Jews buried people. 41At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden. A new tomb was there. No one had ever been put in it before. 42That day was the Jewish Preparation Day, and the tomb was nearby. So they placed Jesus there.
Yesu Ahukumiwa Kusulubiwa
(Mathayo 27:15-31; Marko 15:6-20; Luka 23:13-25)
119:1 Kum 25:3; Mt 27:26Ndipo Pilato akamtoa Yesu akaamuru apigwe mijeledi. 2Askari wakasokota taji ya miiba, wakamvika Yesu kichwani. Wakamvalisha joho la zambarau. 319:3 Mt 27:29; Yn 18:22Wakawa wanapanda pale alipo tena na tena, wakisema, “Salamu! Mfalme wa Wayahudi!” Huku wakimpiga makofi usoni.
419:4 Yn 18:38; 19:6; Lk 23:4Pilato akatoka tena nje akawaambia wale waliokusanyika, “Tazameni, namkabidhi Yesu kwenu kuwajulisha kwamba mimi sikumwona ana hatia.” 519:5 Yn 19:2Kwa hiyo Yesu akatoka nje akiwa amevaa ile taji ya miiba na lile vazi la zambarau. Pilato akawaambia, “Tazameni, huyu hapa huyo mtu!”
619:6 Mdo 3:13; Yn 19:4; Lk 23:4Wale viongozi wa makuhani na maafisa walipomwona, wakapiga kelele wakisema, “Msulubishe! Msulubishe!”
Pilato akawaambia, “Mchukueni ninyi mkamsulubishe, mimi sioni hatia juu yake.”
719:7 Law 24:16; Mt 26:63-66; Yn 5:18Wayahudi wakamjibu, “Sisi tunayo sheria na kutokana na sheria hiyo, hana budi kufa kwa sababu yeye alijiita Mwana wa Mungu.”
8Pilato aliposikia haya, akaogopa zaidi. 919:9 Yn 18:33; Mk 14:61Akaingia tena ndani ya jumba la kifalme, akamuuliza Yesu, “Wewe umetoka wapi?” Lakini Yesu hakumjibu. 10Pilato akamwambia, “Wewe unakataa kuongea na mimi? Hujui ya kuwa nina mamlaka ya kukuachia huru au kukusulubisha?”
1119:11 Rum 13:1; Yn 18:28-30; Mdo 3:13Ndipo Yesu akamwambia, “Wewe hungekuwa na mamlaka yoyote juu yangu kama hungepewa kutoka juu. Kwa hiyo yeye aliyenitia mikononi mwako ana hatia ya dhambi iliyo kubwa zaidi.”
1219:12 Lk 23:2Tangu wakati huo, Pilato akajitahidi kutafuta njia ya kumfungua Yesu, lakini Wayahudi wakazidi kupiga kelele wakisema, “Ukimwachia huyu mtu, wewe si rafiki wa Kaisari. Mtu yeyote anayedai kuwa mfalme anampinga Kaisari.”
1319:13 Mt 27:19; Yn 5:2Pilato aliposikia maneno haya akamtoa Yesu nje tena akaketi katika kiti chake cha hukumu, mahali palipoitwa Sakafu ya Jiwe, kwa Kiebrania paliitwa Gabatha19:13 Gabatha ni neno la Kiebrania ambalo maana yake ni Sakafu ya jiwe; ni mahali pa wazi palipoinuliwa ambako palitumika kama mahakama. 1419:14 Mt 27:62; Mk 15:25Basi ilikuwa siku ya Maandalio ya Pasaka, yapata kama saa sita hivi.
Pilato akawaambia Wayahudi, “Huyu hapa mfalme wenu!”
1519:15 Yn 19:6Wao wakapiga kelele, “Mwondoe! Mwondoe! Msulubishe!”
Pilato akawauliza, “Je, nimsulubishe mfalme wenu?”
Wale viongozi wa makuhani wakamjibu, “Sisi hatuna mfalme mwingine ila Kaisari.”
1619:16 Mt 27:26; Mk 15:15Ndipo Pilato akamkabidhi Yesu kwao ili wamsulubishe.
Kusulubiwa Kwa Yesu
(Mathayo 27:32-44; Marko 15:21-32; Luka 23:26-43)
Kwa hiyo askari wakamchukua Yesu. 1719:17 Mwa 22:6; Lk 14:27; 23:33; Yn 5:2Yesu, akiwa ameubeba msalaba wake, akatoka kuelekea mahali palipoitwa Fuvu la Kichwa (kwa Kiebrania ni Golgotha). 1819:18 Lk 23:32Hapo ndipo walipomsulubisha. Pamoja naye walisulubisha watu wengine wawili, mmoja kila upande wake, naye Yesu katikati.
1919:19 Mk 1:24; 14:21Pilato akaamuru tangazo liandikwe na liwekwe juu kwenye msalaba wa Yesu, likasema: “Yesu wa Nazareti, Mfalme wa Wayahudi.” 2019:20 Ebr 13:12Kwa kuwa mahali hapo Yesu aliposulubiwa palikuwa karibu na mjini, Wayahudi wengi walisoma maandishi haya yaliyokuwa yameandikwa kwa lugha za Kiebrania, Kiyunani na Kilatini. 2119:21 Yn 19:14Viongozi wa makuhani wa Wayahudi wakapinga, wakamwambia Pilato, “Usiandike ‘Mfalme wa Wayahudi,’ bali andika kwamba mtu huyu alisema yeye ni mfalme wa Wayahudi.”
22Pilato akawajibu, “Nilichokwisha kuandika, nimeandika!”
Mavazi Ya Yesu Yagawanywa
2319:23 Mt 27:35; Mk 15:24; Lk 23:34Askari walipokwisha kumsulubisha Yesu, walichukua nguo zake wakazigawa mafungu manne, kila askari fungu lake. Ila walikubaliana wasilichane lile vazi lake kwa maana lilikuwa halina mshono bali limefumwa tangu juu hadi chini. 2419:24 Yn 19:28, 36, 37; Mt 1:22; Za 22:18Wakaambiana, “Tusilichane ila tulipigie kura ili kuamua ni nani atalichukua.”
Hili lilitukia ili Maandiko yapate kutimizwa yale yaliyosema,
“Wanagawana nguo zangu,
na vazi langu wanalipigia kura.”
Hayo ndiyo waliyoyafanya wale askari.
2519:25 Mk 15:40, 41; Lk 23:49; Mt 12:46; Yn 13:23Wakati huo huo karibu na msalaba wa Yesu walikuwa wamesimama mama yake, na dada wa mamaye, na Maria mke wa Klopa, na Maria Magdalene. 2619:26 Mt 12:46; Yn 13:23Yesu alipomwona mama yake mahali pale pamoja na yule mwanafunzi aliyempenda wamesimama karibu, akamwambia mama yake, “Mwanamke, huyo hapo ndiye mwanao,” 2719:27 Yn 1:11; 16:32kisha akamwambia yule mwanafunzi, “Nawe huyo hapo ndiye mama yako.” Tangu wakati huo yule mwanafunzi akamchukua mama yake Yesu nyumbani kwake.
Kifo Cha Yesu
(Mathayo 27:45-56; Marko 15:33-41; Luka 23:44-49)
2819:28 Za 69:21; Yn 19:30; 13:1; 19:24, 36, 37; Mt 1:22Baada ya haya, Yesu hali akijua kuwa mambo yote yamemalizika, alisema ili kutimiza Maandiko, “Naona kiu.” 2919:29 Za 69:21; Mt 27:48Hapo palikuwa na bakuli lililojaa siki. Kwa hiyo wakachovya sifongo kwenye hiyo siki, wakaiweka kwenye ufito wa mti wa hisopo, wakampelekea mdomoni. 3019:30 Lk 12:50Baada ya kuionja hiyo siki, Yesu akasema, “Imekwisha.” Akainamisha kichwa chake, akaitoa roho yake.
Yesu Achomwa Mkuki Ubavuni
3119:31 Yn 19:42; Mk 15:42; Kum 21:23Kwa kuwa ilikuwa siku ya Maandalio ya Pasaka, Wayahudi hawakutaka miili ibaki msalabani siku ya Sabato, hasa kwa kuwa hiyo Sabato ingekuwa Sikukuu. Wakamwomba Pilato aamuru miguu ya wale waliosulubiwa ivunjwe ili wafe haraka miili iondolewe kwenye misalaba. 3219:32 Yn 19:18Kwa hiyo askari wakaenda wakavunja miguu ya mtu wa kwanza aliyesulubiwa pamoja na Yesu na yule mwingine pia. 33Lakini walipomkaribia Yesu, wakaona ya kuwa amekwisha kufa, hivyo hawakuvunja miguu yake. 3419:34 Zek 12:10; Ufu 1:7; 1Yn 5:6, 8Badala yake mmoja wa wale askari akamchoma mkuki ubavuni na mara pakatoka damu na maji. 3519:35 Lk 24:48; 15:27; 21:24Mtu aliyeona mambo hayo ndiye alitoa ushuhuda, nao ushuhuda wake ni kweli. Anajua kuwa anasema kweli, naye anashuhudia ili pia nanyi mpate kuamini. 3619:36 Yn 19:24, 28, 37; Mt 1:22; Kut 12:46; Hes 9:12; Za 34:20Kwa maana mambo haya yalitukia ili Maandiko yapate kutimia, yale yasemayo, “Hakuna hata mfupa wake mmoja utakaovunjwa.” 3719:37 Zek 12:10; Ufu 1:7Tena Andiko lingine lasema, “Watamtazama yeye waliyemchoma.”
Maziko Ya Yesu
(Mathayo 27:57-61; Marko 15:42-47; Luka 23:50-56)
38Baada ya mambo haya, Yosefu wa Arimathaya, aliyekuwa mfuasi wa Yesu, ingawa kwa siri kwa sababu ya kuwaogopa Wayahudi, alimwomba Pilato ruhusa ili kuuchukua mwili wa Yesu. Pilato alimruhusu, hivyo akaja, akauchukua. 3919:39 Yn 3:1; 7:50Naye Nikodemo, yule ambaye kwanza alimwendea Yesu usiku, akaja, akaleta mchanganyiko wa manemane na manukato, yenye uzito wa zaidi ya kilo thelathini19:39 Zaidi ya kilo 30; tafsiri nyingine zinasema ratili 100, na nyingine ratili 75, ambazo ni kama kilo 34. 4019:40 Ebr 13:12Wakauchukua mwili wa Yesu, wakaufunga katika sanda ya kitani safi pamoja na yale manukato, kama ilivyokuwa desturi ya Wayahudi. 41Basi palikuwa na bustani karibu na mahali pale aliposulubiwa, na pale ndani ya ile bustani palikuwa na kaburi jipya, ambalo halikuwa limezikiwa mtu bado. 42Kwa hiyo, kwa kuwa ilikuwa siku ya Wayahudi ya Maandalio, nalo kaburi hilo lilikuwa karibu, wakamzika Yesu humo.
