Crucifixion Texts
Sorted and Reconciled
Preface
I have taken several liberties in order to reconcile the four accounts of the crucifixion. Where sentences said the very same thing, I used only one. Where wording differed a little, I used both. Where resorting was necessary, I proposed a sorting. I used Yeshua instead of Jesus, and changed a few names to reflect the Hebrew (since folks used Hebrew and its derivative rather than Greek when conversing with each other). I also put the times in bold, since this document’s primary purpose was to solve the mystery of the times of the events during the crucifixion.
I did this reconciliation using a table with five columns, the first column being for my section headings and the other four being for Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
I am aware that the term Jews is used in a different way in these books (since nearly all the characters are Jews), often referring to a sect known as the Yehudeem, but which can only be translated as the Jews. This sect had righteous folks like Nicodemus and violent folks who were leaders in the plots against Yeshua. I trust that you, the reader, will have enough sense to know the difference as you read. The majority of Jews knew nothing of these events until they were done, and the same majority had a strong appreciation for Yeshua, though they didn’t consider Him deity, a king or the Messiah. They liked the miracles that He did, and how He spoke out against some leaders who were openly attempting to stop Him through any means including violence. Most leaders of Israel were not in this category. Only a few of the Israelis at that time strongly believed Yeshua to be the Messiah. Many including John the Baptist hoped He would set up His kingdom, and were severely disappointed that He didn’t. Fewer yet had any belief that He was deity. Yeshua’s ministry and teachings gave hope to Israel during a very troubling time of Roman occupation.
I had to do this reconciliation in order to solve the mystery of the times of day. The one that specifically stood out was the one in Mark:
Mark 15:24 And when they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots upon them—what every man should take. 25And it was the third hour. And they crucified Him.
This seemed to have Him crucified at 9:00 a.m., while the other texts had Pilate still judging Him at noon. I propose that verse 25’s “And it was the third hour” actually refers back to verse 16 when the soldiers led Yeshua into the hall to mock and cloth him with purple. The following verses (16-24) seem to be an account of what specifically the soldiers did to Yeshua from the time He was led away until after the crucifixion. Yeshua was delivered to the soldiers to be crucified in verse 15. The second half of verse 25 said, “And they crucified Him.” They did many things to Him before the actual crucifixion. Is it possible that verses 16-24 are a window into all that the soldiers did before, during and after the crucifixion? I have seen where additional information appears when texts on the very same topic are sewn together. Saul’s meeting with Yeshua on the road to Damascus has three versions in Acts. When they are sewn together, the reader can see what could not be seen before: that Yeshua made sure that Saul’s fellow travelers could not hear Him at first during which time He described what Saul would do for Him. Yeshua then makes sure that they can hear His instructions about where Saul needs to go/be taken. Had his compatriots heard what Yeshua had in mind for him, they would have sought to kill him. But hearing only where they needed to take him, they delivered him after hearing the voice of God or an angel, and they had no ethical or moral dilemma.
I do not offer this as proof to you regarding the resolution of this apparent conflict, but only state that I was quite satisfied. I do hope that the flow and details of these events in this document will be of some benefit to you. Please feel free to copy this (and any other useful work on this website), and use it in any way you desire.
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Delivery to Pontius Pilate
And immediately when the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Yeshua to put Him to death. The chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And when they had bound Him, the whole multitude of them arose. They then led and carried Yeshua away and delivered Him from Caiaphas unto the Hall of Judgment, to Pontius Pilate the governor. And it was early. And they themselves didn’t go into the Hall of Judgment lest they should be defiled, but so that they might eat the Passover.
Judas, Hanging, Field of Blood
Then Judas who had betrayed Him repented Himself when he saw that He was condemned, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders saying, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? See thou to that!” And he cast down the pieces of silver in the Temple. And he departed.
And he went and hanged himself.
And the chief priests took the silver pieces. And they said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.” And they took counsel. And they bought the potter’s field with them in which to bury strangers. Therefore that field was called “The field of blood” unto this day. Then that which was spoken by Zechariah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.”
First Accusation before Pilate
And Yeshua stood before the governor. Pilate then went out unto them. And he said, “What accusation do ye bring against this man?” They answered and said unto him, “If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee!” Then Pilate said unto them, “Take ye Him and judge Him according to your Law.” The Jews therefore said unto Him, “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death” (that the saying of Yeshua that He spoke might be fulfilled, signifying what death He should die).
And the chief priests accused Him of many things.
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the race and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Messiah—a King!” And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing.
Then Pilate asked Him again. And he said unto Him, saying, “Answerest thou nothing? Behold how many things they witness against Thee!” But Yeshua still answered him never a word insomuch that Pilate the governor greatly marveled.
And Pilate the governor asked Him, saying, “Thou art the King of the Jews.” And Yeshua answered and said unto him, “Thou sayest.”
Pilate Asks Again about King of the Jews
Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again. And he called Yeshua. And he said unto Him, “Thou art the King of the Jews.” Yeshua answered Him, “Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell thee it about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Thine own race and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me. What hast thou done?” Yeshua answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight so that I should not be delivered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here now.” Pilate therefore said unto Him, “Thou art a king then.” Yeshua answered, “Thou sayest that I am a king. I was born to this end, and I came into the world for this cause, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Every one that is of the Truth hearkens to my voice.” Pilate says unto Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews.
Herod’s Jurisdiction
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and to the people, “I find no fault in this man.” And they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry beginning from Galilee to this place!” When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod who also himself was at Jerusalem at that time.
Herod Sees Yeshua
And when Herod saw Yeshua, he was exceeding glad. For he was desirous to see Him from a long season, because he had heard many things of Him. And he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him.
Herod and Soldiers Mock
He then questioned with Him in many words. But He answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. And Herod with his men of war set Him at nothing. And they mocked Him. And they arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe. And they sent Him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together, for they were previously at enmity between themselves.
Pilate’s Wife
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him saying, “Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man! For I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.”
No Fault Even from Herod
And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them, “Ye have brought this man unto me as one who perverts the people. And behold, I have found no fault in this man touching those things of which ye accuse Him, having examined Him before you—no, nor yet Herod. For I sent you to him. And behold, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him. I find no fault in Him at all. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him.”
Traditional Release
Now, the governor of necessity was wont to release unto the people one prisoner at that feast—whom they desired. Therefore when they were gathered together, the shouting multitude began to desire him to do as he had always done unto them.
About Barabbas
And they then had a notable prisoner called Barabbas who was a robber, and was cast into prison for a certain sedition made in the city, who lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.
Offer to Release Barabbas or Yeshua
Pilate the governor answered and said unto them, “Ye have a custom that I should release one unto you at the Passover. Which of the two do ye desire that I release unto you? Barabbas or Yeshua Who is called Messiah? Desire ye therefore that I release the King of the Jews unto you?” For he knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy.
Moving the People for Barabbas’ Release
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude. And they moved the people so that they should ask Barabbas—that he should instead release Barabbas unto them and destroy Yeshua. They said, “Barabbas!”
What to Do with Yeshua?
And Pilate answered. And he again said unto them, “What do ye desire then that I shall do with Yeshua who is called Messiah?” They all say unto him, “He shall be crucified!” And the governor said, “Why? What evil has He done?” But they shouted the more saying, “He shall be crucified!”
What Again to do with Yeshua?
And Pilate answered. And he again said unto them, “What do ye desire then that I shall do unto Him whom ye call the King of the Jews?” And they shouted again, “Crucify him!” Then Pilate said unto them, “Why? What evil has He done?” And they shouted the more exceedingly, “Crucify him!” And they shouted all at once, saying, “Away with this man! And release Barabbas unto us!” Pilate therefore spoke again to them, willing to release Yeshua. But they shouted, saying, “Crucify him!” “Crucify him!”
The Third Time
And he said unto them the third time, “Why? What evil has He done? I have found no cause of death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him, and let Him go.”
Pilate therefore went forth again. And he says unto them, “Behold, I bring Him forth to you so that ye may know that I find no fault in Him.”
Requiring that Yeshua be crucified
And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that He would be crucified. Then they all shouted again saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!”
Voices Prevail; Pilate Washes His Hands
And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that a tumult was instead made, he took water. And he washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. See ye to it!” Then all the people answered and said, “His blood is on us and on our children!” And so Pilate, willing to content the people, then released Barabbas unto them who was cast into prison for sedition and murder, whom they had desired.
Praetorium: Stripping Yeshua
Then the soldiers of the governor took Yeshua and led Him into the common hall called Praetorium. And they call. And they gathered the whole band of soldiers unto Him. And it was the third hour. And they stripped Him.
Clothing Yeshua
And they clothed Him with a purple robe. And they put a scarlet robe on Him.
Crown of Thorns
And when the soldiers had platted a crown of thorns, they put it around upon His head, and a reed in His right hand.
Bowing before Yeshua
And they bowed the knee before Him. And they mocked Him. And they began to salute Him saying, “Shalom, King of the Jews!” And they smote Him with their hands. And they spit upon Him. And they took the reed, and smote Him on the head. And they worshipped Him, bowing their knees.
Then Yeshua came forth wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate says unto them, “Behold the man!” Therefore when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify Him!” “Crucify Him!” Pilate says unto them, “Take ye Him and crucify Him! For I find no fault in Him.”
He Ought to Die by Our Law
The Jews answered Him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die because he made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid.
And he went again into the Hall of Judgment. And he says unto Yeshua, “From where art thou?” But Yeshua gave him no answer. Then Pilate says unto Him, “Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee and have power to release thee?” Yeshua answered, “Thou couldest have no power against me at all except it were given thee from above. Therefore he who delivered me unto thee has the greater sin.”
And Pilate sought to release Him from thenceforth.
But the Jews shouted saying, “If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend. Whosoever makes Himself a king speaks against Caesar!” When therefore Pilate heard that saying, he brought Yeshua forth.
And he sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he says unto the Jews, “Behold your King!” But they shouted, “Away with Him!” “Away with Him!” “Crucify Him!” Pilate says unto them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”
And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. Then Pilate therefore took Yeshua. And he scourged Him. And he delivered Yeshua unto them to be crucified when he had scourged Him. And he delivered Yeshua to their will.
And after they had mocked Him, they took the robe off from Him and put His own raiment on Him. And they took Yeshua. And they led Him away to crucify Him.
Simon of Cyrene Bears His Cross
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, Simon by name, who passed by coming out of the country. They then laid hold upon him. And they laid the cross on him so that he would carry it behind Yeshua. And they compelled him to bear His cross.
A Large Company Follows; Prophecy
And a great company of people followed Him there, and of women who also bewailed and lamented Him. But Yeshua turning unto them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me. But weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming in which they shall say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bare, and the breasts that never breastfed!’ Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’—and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?”
Arriving at Golgotha; Two Thieves
And they bring Him. And there were also two others—malefactors—two thieves, led with Him to be put to death, crucified with Him. And He went forth into a place that is called Golgotha in Hebrew, which is being interpreted, ‘The place of a skull’, bearing His cross. And when they were come to the place that is called Skull, they crucified Him and the malefactors there—one on the right hand and the other on the left, and Yeshua in the midst. And the Scripture that says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors” was fulfilled.
Poison Vinegar
And they gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with poison. And when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink.
Wine Mingled with Myrrh
And they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He didn’t receive it.
Parting Garments and Casting Lots
And the soldiers then took His raiment. And they parted His garments, casting lots upon them—what every man should take. And they made four parts—a part to every soldier, and also His coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They therefore said among themselves, “We shall not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be” so that the Scripture that says, “They parted my raiment among them, and they did cast lots for my vesture” and what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled.
Therefore the soldiers did these things. And they watched Him there, sitting down.
“Father, Forgive Them”
Then Yeshua said, “Father, forgive them. For they don’t know what they are doing.”
Watching Yeshua
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers with them also derided Him, saying, “He saved others! He shall save himself if he is the Messiah, the chosen of God!”
Now His mother and His mother’s sister, Miriam the wife of Cleophas and Miriam of the Tower stood there by the cross of Yeshua. When Yeshua therefore saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He says unto His mother, “Woman, behold thy son!” Then He says to the disciple, “Behold thy mother!” And that disciple took her unto his own home from that hour.
Written Sign: King of the Jews
And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And they set up His accusation over His head. And the superscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek and Latin and Hebrew, “THIS IS YESHUA OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS”. Many of the Jews then read this title. For the place where Yeshua was crucified was nigh to the city. And it was written in Hebrew and Greek and Latin.
Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Write not, ‘The King of the Jews’, but that he said, ‘I am King of the Jews’.” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written!”
“Save Thyself!”
And they who passed by reviled and railed on Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Ah, thou who destroys the Temple and builds it in three days, save thyself! If thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross!” Likewise also, the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocking Him said among themselves, “He saved others! He cannot save himself! If he is the Messiah the King of Israel, he shall now descend from the cross so that we may see and believe! And we will believe him! He trusted in God. He shall deliver him now, if He will have him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God!’” The thieves also who were crucified with Him reviled Him and cast the same in His teeth.
One Thief Turns
And one of the malefactors who were hanged railed on Him, saying, “If thou art Messiah, save thyself and us!”
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, “Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?—and we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds. But this man has done nothing amiss.”
And he said unto Yeshua, “Sir, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” And Yeshua said unto him, “I say unto thee, faith! Today thou shalt be with me in paradise!”
Darkness from Sixth to Ninth Hour
And when the sixth hour was come, there was a darkness over all the land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened. And the veil of the Temple was torn in the midst.
Ninth Hour: “Eli”
And about at the ninth hour, Yeshua shouted with a loud voice saying, “Eloi! Eloi! Lama sabachthani?”—that is to say, being interpreted, “My God! My God! Why hast Thou forsaken me?” And when they heard that, some of them that stood by there said, “Behold, he calls Elijah! This man calls for Elijah!”
Vinegar to Drink
After this, Yeshua, knowing that all things were now accomplished so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, says, “I thirst.” Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there. And one of them immediately ran, and took a sponge. And they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, a reed, and put it to His mouth, and gave Him to drink saying, “Let alone! We shall see whether Elijah will come to take Him down! Let be! We shall see whether Elijah will come to save him!”
Yeshua Dies
When Yeshua therefore had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished!”
And when Yeshua had shouted again with a loud voice, He said, “Father! I commend my spirit into Thy hands!” And having said thus, He bowed His head. And He yielded up the spirit.
Centurion’s Observation
Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “This was certainly a righteous man!”
And when the centurion saw that He so shouted and gave up the spirit, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Women Beholding
And all the people that came together to that sight smote their breasts and returned, beholding the things that were done. There were also many women beholding afar off, among whom was Miriam of the Tower, and Miriam the mother of Jacob the less and of Joses, and Salome, and the mother of Zebedee’s children—who also followed Him and ministered unto Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up unto Jerusalem with Him. And all His acquaintance and the women who followed Him from Galilee stood afar off, beholding these things.
Breaking Legs
The Jews therefore besought Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away so that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day. For that Sabbath day was a high day, because it was the Preparation. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Yeshua and saw that He was already dead, they didn’t break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear. And blood and water came straight out there.
Joseph of Arimathaea
And behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counselor. And he was a good and a righteous man. The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them. He was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate and begged the body of Yeshua.
And he took it down and wrapped it in linen. And he laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone in which man was never before laid. And that day was the Preparation. And the Sabbath drew on.
And also the women who came with Him from Galilee followed after. And they beheld the sepulchre and how His body was laid. And they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And they rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.
Veil Torn, Graves Open, Centurion
And, behold, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. And the earth did quake, and the rocks tore, and the graves were opened. And many bodies of the Saints who slept arose. And they came out of the graves after His resurrection. And they went into the holy city. And they appeared unto many.
Now when the centurion who stood over against Him and they who were watching Yeshua with him saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they greatly feared, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Truthful Record
And he that saw it bare record. And his record is true. And he knows that he says true so that ye might believe. For these things were done so that the Scripture shall be fulfilled, “A bone of Him shall not be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”