33. The soldiers brought them to the place called The Skull. There they nailed Jesus to the cross. He hung between the two criminals. One was on his right and one was on his left.
34. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them. They don't know what they are doing." The soldiers divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35. The people stood there watching. The rulers even made fun of Jesus. They said, "He saved others. Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
36. The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him. They offered him wine vinegar.
37. They said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
38. A written sign had been placed above him. It read, ~this is the king of the jews.=
39. One of the criminals hanging there made fun of Jesus. He said, "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself! Save us!"
40. But the other criminal scolded him. "Don't you have any respect for God?" he said. "Remember, you are under the same sentence of death.
41. We are being punished fairly. We are getting just what our actions call for. But this man hasn't done anything wrong."
42. Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43. Jesus answered him, "What I'm about to tell you is true. Today you will be with me in paradise."
44. It was now about noon. The whole land was covered with darkness until three o'clock.
45. The sun had stopped shining. The temple curtain was torn in two.
46. Jesus called out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my very life." After he said this, he took his last breath.
47. The Roman commander saw what had happened. He praised God and said, "Jesus was surely a man who did what was right."
48. The people had gathered to watch that sight. When they saw what happened, they beat their chests and went away.
49. But all those who knew Jesus stood not very far away, watching those things. They included the women who had followed him from Galilee.
50. A man named Joseph was a member of the Jewish Council. He was a good and honest man.
51. He had not agreed with what the leaders had decided and done. He was from Arimathea, a town in Judea. He was waiting for God's kingdom.
52. Joseph went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body.