The Crucifixion
(Excerpts from the book of Matthew, chapter 27.)
And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of the Skull, they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink. And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His gaments among themselves by casting lots. And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. And above His head they put of the charge against Him which read, "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS." And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." In the same way the chief priests also, along wih the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him for He said 'I am the Son of God.'"
Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, "Eli, eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?"
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.
And the earth shook and the rocks were split.
Now the centurion, and those who were with Him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"
Truly this man was the Son of God.
