New International Reader's Version

Mark 15:23-38 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

23. Then they gave him wine mixed with spices. But he did not take it.

24. They nailed him to the cross. Then they divided up his clothes. They cast lots to see what each of them would get.

25. It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him.

26. They wrote out the charge against him. It read, ~the king of the jews.=

27-28. They crucified two robbers with him. One was on his right and one was on his left.

29. Those who passed by shouted at Jesus and made fun of him. They shook their heads and said, "So you are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days?

30. Then come down from the cross! Save yourself!"

31. In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law made fun of him among themselves. "He saved others," they said. "But he can't save himself!

32. Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross! When we see that, we will believe." Those who were being crucified with Jesus also made fun of him.

33. At noon, darkness covered the whole land. It lasted three hours.

34. At three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? " This means "My God, my God, why have you deserted me?" (Psalm 22:1)

35. Some of those standing nearby heard Jesus cry out. They said, "Listen! He's calling for Elijah."

36. One of them ran and filled a sponge with wine vinegar. He put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink. "Leave him alone," he said. "Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down."

37. With a loud cry, Jesus took his last breath.

38. The temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom.