He [Judas] was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it (John 12:6). Yesterday we looked at the role of Caiphas and the Sanhedrin in orchestrating the death of Jesus. Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at Judas Iscariot and his betrayal. It’s possible… Continue reading →

For he [Pilate] knew it was out of self-interest that they handed Jesus over to him (Matthew 27:18). Jesus didn’t fit into the religious establishment of the day. In their minds, Jesus violated some of their laws and disregarded some of their traditions. He acted like a rabbi, but he didn’t have their much-needed endorsement…. Continue reading →

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last (Luke 23:46). Three of the seven statements Jesus made on the cross were quotations from Scripture: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” being Psalm 22:1, “I thirst” coming… Continue reading →

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (John 19:30). After Jesus received the drink of wine vinegar, he uttered the words “It is finished.” In the original Greek, the word is tetelestai; and it means, “It is finished and always… Continue reading →

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had… Continue reading →

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s… Continue reading →

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time… Continue reading →

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done… Continue reading →

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”… Continue reading →

So Pilate handed [Jesus] over to them to be crucified (John 19:16). It’s interesting that the gospel writers don’t provide details about the execution. When the time comes to mention the crucifixion, they simply say, “they crucified him,” and the specific details are left out. From what we know historically, what was it like to… Continue reading →