23. After the soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross, they took his clothes. They divided them into four parts. Each soldier got one part. They also took his long shirt. It was all one piece of cloth, woven from top to bottom.
24. So the soldiers said to each other, “We should not tear this into parts. We should throw lots to see who will get it.” This happened to give full meaning to the Scripture:“They divided my clothes among them.And they threw lots for my clothing.” Psalm 22:18So the soldiers did this.
25. Jesus’ mother stood near his cross. His mother’s sister was also standing there, with Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
26. Jesus saw his mother. He also saw the follower he loved standing there. He said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son.”
27. Then he said to the follower, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this follower took her to live in his home.
28. After this, Jesus knew that everything had been done. To make the Scripture come true, he said, “I am thirsty.”
29. There was a jar full of vinegar there, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it. Then they put the sponge on a branch of a hyssop plant and lifted it to Jesus’ mouth.
30. Jesus tasted the vinegar. Then he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head and died.
31. This day was Preparation Day. The next day was a special Sabbath day. The Jews did not want the bodies to stay on the cross on the Sabbath day. So they asked Pilate to order that the legs of the men be broken and the bodies be taken away.
32. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man on the cross beside Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the man on the other cross beside Jesus.
33. But when the soldiers came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead. So they did not break his legs.
34. But one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus’ side. At once blood and water came out.
35. (The one who saw this happen has told about it. The things he says are true. He knows that he tells the truth. He told about it so that you also can believe.)
36. These things happened to make the Scripture come true: “Not one of his bones will be broken.”
37. And another Scripture said, “They will look at the one they have stabbed.”
38. Later, a man named Joseph from Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take the body of Jesus. (Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus, because he was afraid of the Jews.) Pilate gave his permission. So Joseph came and took Jesus’ body away.
39. Nicodemus went with Joseph. Nicodemus was the man who earlier had come to Jesus at night. He brought about 75 pounds of spices. This was a mixture of myrrh and aloes.
40. These two men took Jesus’ body and wrapped it with the spices in pieces of linen cloth. (This is how the Jews bury people.)
41. In the place where Jesus was killed, there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb where no one had ever been buried.