38. (At the top of the cross these words were written: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”)
39. One of the criminals began to shout insults at Jesus: “Aren’t you the Christ? Then save yourself! And save us too!”
40. But the other criminal stopped him. He said, “You should fear God! You are getting the same punishment as he is.
41. We are punished justly; we should die. But this man has done nothing wrong!”
42. Then this criminal said to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!”
43. Then Jesus said to him, “Listen! What I say is true: Today you will be with me in paradise!”
44. It was about noon, and the whole land became dark until three o’clock in the afternoon.
45. There was no sun! The curtain in the Temple was torn into two pieces.
46. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, I give you my life.” After Jesus said this, he died.
47. The army officer there saw what happened. He praised God, saying, “I know this was a good man!”
48. Many people had gathered there to watch this thing. When they saw what happened, they returned home. They beat their chests because they were so sad.
49. Those who were close friends of Jesus were there. Some were women who had followed Jesus from Galilee. They all stood far away from the cross and watched.
50-51. A man from the Jewish town of Arimathea was there, too. His name was Joseph. He was a good, religious man. He wanted the kingdom of God to come. Joseph was a member of the Jewish council, but he had not agreed when the other leaders decided to kill Jesus.
52. Joseph went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.
53. So Joseph took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in cloth. Then he put Jesus’ body in a tomb that was cut in a wall of rock. This tomb had never been used before.
54. This was late on Preparation Day. When the sun went down, the Sabbath day would begin.
55. The women who had come from Galilee with Jesus followed Joseph. They saw the tomb and saw inside where the body of Jesus was laid.