Jesus

12Jesus went into the temple. He drove out everyone who was buying and selling there. He turned over the tables of the men who traded money. He turned over the seats of the men selling doves.

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

NoteThe temple was a huge building where people came to pray to God. People traveled there from far away. Coins from other places could not be used inside, so traders swapped them for temple coins. People also bought doves, which are small birds, to give to God. Families with little money gave a dove instead of a bigger animal. The temple was God's house in Jerusalem.

13He said to them, "God's book says, 'My house will be called a house of prayer.' But you have made it a hideout for robbers."

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

NoteJesus was saying words from God's book, written long before he came. A den is a hidden cave where robbers keep what they steal.

14Blind people and people who could not walk came to him at the temple. He made them well.

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

15The chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things Jesus did. They heard children shouting in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" This made them very angry.

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,

NoteChief priests were the men in charge of the temple and its worship. Scribes copied God's law by hand, because there were no printers then. Both were powerful men, and people listened to them. The chief priests were the leaders in charge of the temple. The scribes were teachers who copied and studied God's law.

16They said to Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes. Have you never read this? 'You have taught little children and babies to praise you.'"

And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

NoteJesus was saying words from an old song in God's book. The King James says "babes and sucklings." That means babies who still drink milk.

17Then he left them. He went out of the city to the town of Bethany and stayed the night there.

And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

NoteBethany was a small village about two miles from Jerusalem. It was a short walk over the hill.

1Jesus finished saying all these things. Then he spoke to his disciples, his close followers.

And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,

NoteDisciples were the friends who traveled with Jesus and learned from him.

2He said, "You know the Passover feast is two days away. The Son of Man will be handed over to be killed on a cross." Son of Man was the name Jesus used for himself.

Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

NotePassover was a special meal and holiday every spring. It helped people remember how God brought them out of Egypt long ago. A cross was two wooden beams. Rulers killed people on crosses to punish them.

3Then the chief priests, the teachers of God's law, and the leaders of the people met. They met at the house of the high priest, the top priest, named Caiaphas.

Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

NoteA priest was a man who worked at God's temple and helped people worship. The high priest was the one in charge of all the priests. The teachers of the law studied God's rules and taught them to others.

4They made a plan to grab Jesus in a sneaky way and kill him.

And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.

5But they said, "Not during the feast. The people might get angry and start a riot."

But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

NoteA riot is when a big crowd gets angry and out of control.

6Jesus was in the town of Bethany. He was in the house of Simon the leper, a man who had a bad skin disease.

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

NoteLeprosy was a skin sickness. People who had it had to live away from everyone else.

7A woman came to him with a stone jar of costly perfume. She poured it on his head while he sat eating.

There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

NoteThe jar was carved from soft white stone. Perfume was a thick, sweet-smelling oil. Pouring it on a guest's head was a way to show honor.

8The disciples saw this and were upset. They said, "Why waste it like that?"

But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

9They said, "This perfume could have been sold for a lot of money. The money could have been given to poor people."

For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

NotePerfume this fine could cost about a whole year's pay.

10Jesus knew what they were saying. He said, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a good thing for me."

When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

11"You will always have poor people with you. But you will not always have me."

For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

12"She poured this perfume on my body to get it ready for burial."

For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

NoteWhen someone died, their family washed the body and rubbed it with sweet-smelling oil.

13"I tell you the truth. This good news will be told all over the world. Wherever it is told, people will also tell what she did, to remember her."

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

NoteThe good news is the story about Jesus that his followers told everywhere.

14Then one of the twelve close followers went to the chief priests. His name was Judas Iscariot.

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

NoteThe twelve were the followers Jesus picked to stay closest to him.

15He asked, "What will you pay me if I hand him over to you?" They agreed to give him thirty silver coins.

And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

NoteThirty silver coins was a lot of money. It was about what a person paid to buy a slave.

16From that time on, Judas watched for a good chance to hand Jesus over.

And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

17It was the first day of the Feast of Bread Without Yeast. The disciples asked Jesus, "Where should we get the Passover meal ready for you?"

Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

NoteYeast is what makes bread puff up big and soft. For one week each year people ate flat bread with no yeast. It helped them remember leaving Egypt in a hurry, with no time to let bread rise.

18He said, "Go into the city to a certain man. Tell him the Teacher says, 'My time is near. I will eat the Passover meal at your house with my followers.'"

And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

NoteSaying "My time is near" was Jesus' way of saying the important day had come.

19The disciples did what Jesus told them. They got the Passover meal ready.

And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

20When evening came, Jesus sat down to eat with the twelve.

Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

NotePeople did not sit on chairs to eat. They lay on their sides on cushions around a low table.

21While they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth. One of you will hand me over."

And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

22They were very sad. One after another they asked him, "Lord, is it me?"

And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

23He answered, "The one who dips his hand in the bowl with me will hand me over."

And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

NoteThere were no forks. Everyone dipped bread into the same bowl of food with their fingers.

24"The Son of Man will go just as God's writings said he would. But it will be terrible for the man who hands him over. It would be better for that man if he had never been born."

The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

NoteGod's writings are the holy books written long before Jesus was born.

25Then Judas, the one who would hand him over, said, "Teacher, is it me?" Jesus said, "You have said it yourself."

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

NoteJudas called him Rabbi. Rabbi means teacher.

26While they ate, Jesus took bread and thanked God for it. He broke it and gave it to his followers. He said, "Take it and eat. This is my body."

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

NoteThe bread was flat, so it could be torn apart by hand. Thanking God before eating was the normal way to start a meal.

27Then he took the cup of wine and thanked God. He gave it to them and said, "All of you drink from it."

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

NoteAt the Passover meal, cups of wine were shared and passed around.

28"This is my blood, and it begins God's new promise. It is poured out for many people, so their sins can be forgiven."

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

NoteA promise like this was called a covenant. A covenant is a serious agreement between two sides that both mean to keep.

29"I tell you, I will not drink this wine again for now. I will drink it new with you someday in my Father's kingdom."

But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

Note"Fruit of the vine" means wine, which is made from grapes.

30They sang a song together. Then they went out to the Mount of Olives, a hill near the city.

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

NoteAt the end of the Passover meal, families always sang songs from the Bible together.

36Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane. He said, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

NoteGethsemane was a quiet garden of olive trees on the hillside. Its name means olive press, the place where oil was squeezed from olives.

37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. He began to feel very sad and troubled.

And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

NoteThe two sons of Zebedee were James and John.

38He said to them, "My heart is so sad that I feel like I could die. Stay here and stay awake with me."

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Note"Stay awake with me" means keep me company and do not fall asleep.

39He walked a little farther. He lay face down and prayed, "My Father, if it can be done, take this cup of suffering away from me. But do what you want, not what I want."

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

NoteA cup here does not mean a real cup. It means all the hard things Jesus was about to go through.

40He came back and found his followers asleep. He said to Peter, "Could you not stay awake with me for one hour?"

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

41"Stay awake and pray, so you do not fall into temptation, a pull to do wrong. Your heart wants to do right, but your body is weak."

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42He went away a second time and prayed. He said, "My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away, and I must drink it, then let what you want happen."

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

43He came back and found them asleep again. Their eyes were very heavy.

And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44So he left them and went away again. He prayed a third time and said the same words.

And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45Then he came to his followers. He said, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the time has come. The Son of Man is handed over to sinful men."

Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46"Get up. Let's go. Look, here comes the man who is handing me over."

Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

47While he was still talking, Judas came. A big crowd came with him, carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests and the leaders of the people had sent them.

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

NoteThese men were guards sent by the temple leaders. They were not soldiers from the army.

48Judas had given the crowd a signal. He said, "The man I kiss is the one. Grab him and hold him."

Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

NoteA kiss on the cheek was a normal, friendly hello then, like a handshake today.

49He went straight to Jesus and said, "Hello, Teacher." Then he kissed him.

And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

NoteThe old word "Hail" is just a way of saying hello.

50Jesus said, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then the men came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

51One of the men with Jesus reached out and pulled his sword. He struck the high priest's servant and cut off his ear.

And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.

52Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back where it belongs. Everyone who takes up a sword will die by a sword."

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53"Don't you know I could ask my Father for help? He would send me more than twelve armies of angels right away."

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

NoteA legion was a group of about six thousand soldiers in the Roman army.

54"But then how would God's writings come true? They say this must happen."

But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

55Then Jesus said to the crowd, "Did you bring swords and clubs, as if I were a robber? Every day I sat teaching in the temple, and you did not arrest me."

In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me.

NoteThe temple was the huge special building in Jerusalem where people worshiped God. A robber here means a dangerous man who took things by force.

56"All this happened so the words of the prophets would come true." Prophets were people who told what God said. Then all his followers ran away and left him.

But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

NoteA prophet was someone who told people what God said.

57The men who arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest. The teachers of the law and the leaders were meeting there.

And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58Peter followed far behind, all the way to the high priest's yard. He went in and sat with the guards to see what would happen.

But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

NoteThe high priest's house was built around an open yard in the middle. People could stand there and watch what happened inside.

59The chief priests and the whole council looked for people to tell lies about Jesus. They wanted a reason to put him to death.

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

NoteThe council was a group of about seventy leaders. They acted like a court and decided what to do with people.

60But they did not find any. Many people came and told lies, but it was not enough. At last two men came forward, and they told lies too.

But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

61They said, "This man said, 'I am able to tear down God's temple and build it again in three days.'"

And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

NoteThe temple was enormous. Workers had been building it for more than forty years.

62The high priest stood up. He said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What about what these men say about you?"

And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

63But Jesus stayed quiet. The high priest said, "I put you under oath before the living God. Tell us if you are the Christ, the king God promised to send, the Son of God."

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

NotePutting someone under oath means making them promise before God to tell the truth. Christ means the special king that God had promised to send.

64Jesus said, "You have said it yourself. But I tell you all, from now on you will see the Son of Man. He will sit at the right side of God, the place of power. He will come on the clouds of the sky."

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

NoteSitting at a king's right side was the highest, most honored seat there was.

65Then the high priest tore his own clothes. He said, "He has said an insulting thing about God! We do not need more witnesses. You just heard him."

Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

NoteTearing your own clothes was how people showed shock or great sadness. Blasphemy means saying an insulting thing about God. It was a very serious thing to be accused of.

66He asked, "What do you think?" They answered, "He should be put to death."

What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

67Then they spit in his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped him.

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

NoteSpitting on someone was a strong insult. "Buffeted" means they hit him with their fists.

68They said, "Tell us, Christ! Who was it that hit you?"

Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

NoteTo prophesy meant to tell something only God could show you. They wanted him to name who hit him without looking.

69Peter was sitting outside in the yard. A servant girl came to him. She said, "You were with Jesus from Galilee too."

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

70But he said it was not true, right in front of everyone. He said, "I do not know what you are talking about."

But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

71He went out to the gate. Another servant girl saw him. She said to the people there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."

And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

NoteThe gate was the covered doorway leading out of the yard to the street.

72Again he said it was not true. This time he swore it. He said, "I do not know the man!"

And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

NoteSwearing an oath meant asking God to show that your words were true.

73A little later, the people standing there came to Peter. They said, "You really are one of them. The way you talk shows it."

And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

NotePeople from Galilee said their words differently. Peter's voice showed where he came from.

74Then Peter began to curse and swear. He said, "I do not know the man!" Right then a rooster crowed.

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

NoteCursing here does not mean bad words. Peter was asking for trouble to fall on him if he were lying.

75Peter remembered what Jesus had told him. Jesus had said, "Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know me." Peter went outside and cried hard.

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

11Jesus stood in front of the governor. Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus said, "You have said so."

And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

Note"King of the Jews" was a dangerous name. Rome punished anyone who called himself a king. Jesus does not say yes or no. He says the words are Pilate's own.

12The chief priests and leaders said he had done many wrong things. Jesus did not answer them at all.

And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

13Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear all the things they say against you?"

Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

14Jesus did not answer even one of their charges. This surprised the governor very much.

And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

15At that feast the governor always set one prisoner free. The crowd chose which prisoner it would be.

Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

NoteThe feast was Passover. It was a big holiday. People remembered how God brought their families out of Egypt long ago.

16At that time they were holding a well-known prisoner named Barabbas.

And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

NoteBarabbas was well known for fighting against the Roman rulers. People saw him as dangerous.

17The crowd gathered. Pilate asked them, "Which one should I set free? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

NoteThe word Christ means God's chosen one.

18Pilate knew why they had handed Jesus over to him. They were jealous of him.

For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

19Pilate was sitting in the judge's seat. His wife sent him a message. It said, "Do not do anything to that good man. I had a bad dream about him today, and it upset me."

When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

NoteThe judge's seat was a special chair out where everyone could see. A ruler sat there to decide cases.

20But the chief priests and leaders talked the crowd into it. The crowd should ask for Barabbas and have Jesus killed.

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

21The governor asked them, "Which of the two should I set free?" They said, "Barabbas."

The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.

22Pilate said, "Then what should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Nail him to a cross!"

Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.

NoteBeing nailed to a cross was how Romans killed people. They did it outside, where crowds could watch.

23The governor said, "Why? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted even louder, "Nail him to a cross!"

And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, and a riot was starting. So he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. He said, "I am not guilty of this good man's death. It is your doing."

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

NoteWashing his hands was a sign everyone understood. It meant, "This is not my fault."

25All the people answered, "Let the blame be on us and on our children."

Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

NoteThey were saying they would take the blame themselves.

26So Pilate set Barabbas free. He had Jesus whipped. Then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross.

Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

NoteRoman soldiers whipped people before a cross. It hurt very much.

27The governor's soldiers took Jesus into the palace yard. They called the whole group of soldiers to come around him.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

NoteThe palace yard was where the governor stayed and worked. The whole group was hundreds of soldiers.

28They took off his clothes. They put a red robe on him.

And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

NoteKings wore rich red or purple robes. The soldiers dressed Jesus like a king to make fun of him.

29They twisted thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand. They knelt down and made fun of him. They said, "Hello, King of the Jews!"

And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

NoteReal kings wore gold crowns and held a golden rod. Thorn branches are sharp, and the stick was only a plain stick. People knelt down in front of a real king.

30They spit on him. They took the stick and hit him on the head.

And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

31When they were done making fun of him, they took the robe off. They put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to nail him to a cross.

And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

32On the way out they found a man named Simon. He was from a place called Cyrene. They made him carry the cross for Jesus.

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

NoteCyrene was a city in Africa, far across the sea. Roman soldiers were allowed to make anyone carry things for them.

33They came to a place called Golgotha. That name means "the place of a skull."

And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

NoteGolgotha was a small hill outside the city. People thought the shape looked like a skull.

34There they gave Jesus sour wine mixed with something bitter. He tasted it but would not drink it.

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

NoteSour wine was cheap wine that had gone bad. The bitter part may have helped dull the pain.

35They nailed him to the cross. Then they split up his clothes among them. They threw lots to see who got what. This made true what a prophet had written: "They divided my clothes among them. They threw lots for my coat."

And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

NoteSoldiers were allowed to keep the clothes of the person they put to death. Throwing lots was like rolling dice to pick who got what.

36Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.

And sitting down they watched him there;

37Above his head they put up a sign. It told what he was charged with. It said: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

NoteRomans always put up a sign. It told everyone watching why the person was being killed.

38Two robbers were nailed to crosses beside him. One was on his right and one on his left.

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

NoteThese robbers were men who stole and hurt people. Rome killed them the same way.

39People walked by and shouted mean things at him. They shook their heads at him.

And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

NoteShaking your head at someone was a way of saying, "Look how foolish he is."

40They said, "You said you would tear down the temple and build it in three days. Save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

NoteJesus had said something before about the temple. People had heard it wrong and remembered it wrong.

41The chief priests made fun of him too. So did the teachers of the law and the leaders. They said,

Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42"He saved other people, but he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now. Then we will believe him.

He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43He trusted God. Let God save him now, if God wants him. He said, 'I am the Son of God.'"

He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

44The robbers on the crosses beside him said mean things to him too.

The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.