Abstract

The Original Gospel Revealed

The critical principles and their use in making this reconstruction of Mark’s gospel are explained in The Hidden Jesus. You must get it!

© Dr M D Magee
Contents Updated: Sunday, November 14, 1999

• Jesus succeeds in capturing Jerusalem for a brief period but is crucified when the Romans return a few days later from Caesaria with a stronger force and re-capture it

Abstract

Jesus succeeds in capturing Jerusalem

…for a brief period but is crucified when the Romans return a few days later from Caesaria with a stronger force and re-capture it.

And coming unto Jerusalem, Jesus looked up to the city, and spake:

Ye princes of strangers make haste and come down out of the city; for today shall be prepared a pure house for the Lord, and He shall abide therein.

And the people of Jerusalem came out to welcome Jesus joyfully. And Jesus said unto them:

This day is salvation come to this house; for God’s chosen are come to seek and to save that which had perished, the lost House of the children of Israel. It shall be cleansed of the name of the strangers, and that half which is the twofold part shall be returned, but the fourfold part shall the Lord redeem from those foreign flatterers.

For Herod received not his twofold part from God but went into a far country to receive for himself this kingdom, and to return. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying: We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the two parts of the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to be called unto him, saying: Those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. And he did slay them. And his two brothers similarly received a single part each, making the four parts of the kingdom. And the half shall be returned to the Lord, and then the fourfold parts, while they as a recompense shall suffer everlasting torment.

And they clamoured that he overthrow the strangers, for they expected the kingdom immediately to appear. And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem. Saith he:

And when that nobleman went to the far country he called his ten servants and said unto them: Occupy till I come, for on my return I shall be a king and shall collect my taxes from ye and ye shalt collect them for me. No man shall yield less than a pound, for all men can earn this, but those who yield up more will I reward as my tax-collector. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he would collect taxes, that he might know how much every man had yielded. Then came the first, saying: Lord, thy servant hath raised ten pounds; for he had bullied and extorted money as his master’s servant. And he said unto him: Well, thou good servant: have thou now authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying: Lord, thy servant hath raised five pounds; for he had extorted also. And he said likewise to him: Be thou over five cities. And another came, saying: Lord, behold, here is one pound, which your servant yieldeth; for he was a just man. And the king was much annoyed for he was an austere man, taking up that he laid not down, and reaping that he did not sow, and he said: You deliver up to me only that which any man yieldeth. And he said unto them that stood by: Take from him all that he hath, and give it to him that hath the ten cities. And the seven other servants also had failed to raise a surplus, and said unto him: Lord, he already hath ten cities. And the king answered, saying: So be it, for unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

And Jesus said:

But God hath decreed that at His appointed time, when He comes in judgement, the wicked shall receive their just recompense, and the poor and downtrodden will receive their just reward, for unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

Being interpreted, he meant in the kingdom of God. And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them:

Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you: Why do ye this? say ye that the nasi hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.

And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them:

What do ye, loosing the colt?

And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go.

And being in Bethany Jesus sat at meat in the house of Simon the leper, which is a nobleman which opposed them but was baptized as repentant. And Jesus told a parable, saying:

A priest declared a certain rich man as a leper, and, according to the law, he had to leave the city and live with the lepers. And there cometh unto him a woman, his wife, having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poureth it on his head, praying to the Lord that he be cured. And there were poor lepers standing by, and they had indignation within themselves. And they murmured against her, saying: Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and used for us all. But the lepers knew not that the poor shall live forever. And the rich man gaineth nought from his expensive unction, for perchance he saveth his skin but surely he loseth his soul.

And he turned to Simon saying:

Yet this leper hath gained everlasting life for he hath given all he hath to the poor and taken his cross of baptism in repentance.

And the ruler of Judaea had sent out soldiers to punish the Jews. And Jesus taught, saying:

Israel did rend her clothes in sorrow, for God choseth not the stranger as ruler of Israel. The stranger was like unto a man with an unclean spirit, desireth of destroying the Son of God, and was mighty, such that no man could bind him, no, not with fetters or with chains, neither could any man tame him, save God alone. But, God will tame them, because the children of Israel have rent their hearts and repented.

And they took arms and went out to confront those whom they hated. And coming nigh unto a mountain, there was there a great herd of swine feeding in the valley of the Qidron; about 2000 of them for they were a legion. And they came at them from the mountain, by surprise, cutting them with stones and darts hurled from high, and others caught those who tried to shelter from the stones and cut them down with swords. And ran them down, pulled them in pieces, mangled them, and chopped them down. And some were put in chains, and they besought in loud voices for them to torture them not, to spare them. But they heard them not, and some were choked to death in the waters of the brook, and others besought him that they might be with him and others escaped to Caesarea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and told what was befallen.

And the Sadducees and Pharisees said:

What manner of man is this?

And, behold, they came out and besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear. And Jesus said:

Sing ye unto the Lord a new song in the assembly of all the saints: Praise ye the Lord. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their king; for the Lord taketh pleasure in His people; He will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints exult in His glory with two edged swords in their hands; to execute vengeance on the nations; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them the judgement written: this honour have His saints. Praise the Lord.

And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying:

Osanna, Free us, Son of David; Blessed be the king that cometh in the name of the Lord.

And some Sadducees standing by said unto him: Master rebuke thy disciples. And Jesus replied:

Should not these children proclaim, then would these stones cry out;

for children are banim and stones are abanim. And Jesus entered weeping into Jerusalem.

And they surrounded the temple and Jesus, going in, forbade the priests to do ought; and they began to cast out them that sold and bought in court the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves. And would not suffer that any man should pass through the temple. And he said unto them:

Is it not written, Behold, a day of the Lord cometh. In that day there shall be no more a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of Hosts.

And the chief priests heard it, and said:

Yet it is written in Isaiah: Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all peoples?

And Jesus answereth, saying:

Hold ye these strangers to the covenant of the Lord? It is indeed written: My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but the Lord also saith: Ye have made it a den of thieves. Therefore will I cast you out of my sight.

And the chief priests were sore displeased, and when they saw the children of Israel crying in gratitude in the temple, and saying:

Osanna, Son of David,

they said unto him:

Hearest thou what these say?

And Jesus saith unto them:

Yea; have ye never read: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

And they knew not how to answer.

And the chief priests say unto him:

By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

And Jesus answered and said unto them:

I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

And they reasoned with themselves: If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the many thronging about: for all men counted Jesus, that he was a king indeed. And they answered and said unto Jesus:

We cannot tell.

And Jesus answering saith unto them:

Then ye need not me to tell you by what authority I do these things.

And Jesus said:

And have ye not read this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

And the stone stands for God’s righteous who are poor and downtrodden.

And Jesus began to speak to the chief priests by parables, saying:

A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying: They will reverence my son. And the son evicted the wicked husbandmen and returned the vineyard to the hands of his father.

And they knew that he had spoken the parable against them. And the priests were outraged, and they said unto Jesus:

We do God’s works according to Moses and God rewards us. How are we wicked?

And Jesus answered:

What think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?

They say unto him:

The first.

Jesus saith unto them:

Truly, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For God trusted his works to you but ye did it not. And when John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not. But they that had refused God’s works, the publicans and the harlots, believed him and repented with baptism: and ye, when ye had seen it afterward, believed him not, that ye might repent.

And the priests understood and would have laid hold on him, but feared to for many people reverenced him.

The Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection, tried to confound Jesus, saying:

Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.

And Jesus answering said unto them:

Ye err because ye know not the power of God. For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but, as it is written in Enoch, they are as the angels which are in heaven. Nor know ye the book of Moses, else ye would have read how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. Their rising up on the third day is like one who awakens from sleep. Ye therefore do greatly err.

And they hoped they might turn the multitude against him, who believed the messiah was the son of David; and, knowing he was an orphan, they asked him:

How canst thou be a son of David when thou hast not a father?

And Jesus answered and said:

Why do the scribes say that the messiah is the son of David? For David, the psalmist, himself said by the holy ghost, in the scriptures: The LORD said to my Lord: Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth the messiah his Lord; and whence is he then his son?

And the common people heard him gladly, for they understood that the messiah was not of the line of David.

And he said unto them, for he was a Zadokite:

Beware of these priests, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts; which devour widows’ houses as corban as a petition to God, and for a pretence make long prayers. They honour wealth and esteem above the Lord. They shall be damned.

And Jesus went over against the treasury, and watched the people cast money into the treasury. And many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto those assembled:

Truly, this poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury, for all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. This woman honoureth God above wealth; the gates of the kingdom are open to her.

And Jesus observed on the grandeur of the temple and the manner of stones of which it was built, and he said:

And yet these great buildings will be destroyed, for they are unclean, and not a stone will rest upon another, for it is as nothing to the temple which God will raise up on the third day of His kingdom, for so it is written in Hosea and Ezekiel.

And Jesus took his priestly disciples, Peter, James and John, up to the Mount of Olives to watch for God’s miracle, and as they sat there over against the temple, Peter, James and John came to him privately, for they were anxious, and said:

Thou hast said it was the day of the Lord, but yet the mountain trembleth not. Tell us, when shall these things be, and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

And Jesus answering them began to say:

Ye shall know that the day of the Lord is nigh by these signs, for such things must needs be: when ye hear of wars and rumours of wars, for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: but the end shall not be yet, these are the beginnings of the birth pangs, which endure forty years. Now the brother shall deliver the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye that shall endure in righteousness unto the end time shall be saved. And, wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together, for ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the temple, and ye shall know that the appointed time cometh.

As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the last days. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day of the Lord. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife.

Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. In that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see coming with great power and glory Michael with his host of angels, the Son of man with the princes of heaven, Melchizedek and the sons of light, to justify the holy ones of God. And then shall he gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

This generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, but only the Lord God. Watch and pray, for ye know not when the time is. For it is as a man taking a far journey to attend a wedding, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Truly, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the kingdom cometh. If ye would be watchers for the kingdom, then Watch!

And word came to Jesus that the Romans had returned, and soldiers were bloodletting in the city, and eighteen men had died when they took refuge on the Tower of Siloam, and it collapsed before the might of Rome. And Jesus turning unto his disciples, said:

Saith the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute. The blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple. Truly, it shall be required of this generation. Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell. Yea: Fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Ye are of more value than many sparrows, therefore, Fear not! Take no thought for your life, for life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

And some arriving told him of Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them:

Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye avow God before men, ye shall all perish in everlasting death. But whosoever shall avow God before men, him shall the angels of God avow before God: But he that denieth God before men shall the angels of God deny before God. And whosoever shall speak a word against this son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the holy ghost it shall not be forgiven

And they went out in God’s name, but there was naught to be done for the soldiers were many, and many were killed and many held captive. And Jesus and some disciples went into hiding in the city.

After two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread. And Joseph Caiaphas and the chief priests came unto Pilate that they might take Jesus the Nazarene by craft, and put him to death; for they said to each other:

It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

And they said unto Pilate:

Search not for him on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

And Pilate, who feared the Emperor should learn he was an illegal executioner, gave them leave to take hold of the Nazarene by craft.

And the chief priests questioned some of those who had heard Jesus, and persuaded them to reveal his habits unto them, that they might know where he dwelt. And they promised to give them money in gratitude.

And in the morning before the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover, his disciples said unto him:

Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the Passover?

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them:

Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house: The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover.

In the evening he cometh with the disciples. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said:

Take, eat! this is the bread of everlasting life.

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And sprinkling it upon them, he said unto them:

This is the blood of the new covenant, which God hath made with His chosen. Truly, this son of man will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that he drinks it new in the kingdom of God.

And Jesus said:

It is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. If ye are offended by me this night, truly, one of you which eateth with this son of man shall deliver him.

And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one:

Is it I?

and another said:

Is it I?

And he came to Judas, and he said:

Is it I?

And Jesus said unto him:

That thou doest, do quickly.

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them:

It is written: the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof and the Lord my God shall come and all the holy ones with thee, and the Lord shall be king over all the earth.

And Jesus said:

Let us go to the garden that we might watch for the coming of the Lord.

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples:

Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, to greet the archangel Michael; but late in the night he began to be sore troubled, and to be very heavy. And saith unto them:

My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed:

Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee: if it were possible, thy appointed time might come for them; nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter:

Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy, neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them:

Sleep on now; take your rest. The hour has come; the end is yet far. It is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. Rise up, let us go; he that delivereth me is at hand; the spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh a detachment of guards with swords and the chief priests with staves. And they that stood by drew swords, and smote the servants of the high priest, but they saw all was lost, and forsook him, and fled. And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

And they led Jesus away to the high priest, that he might commit him for trial before Pilate; and Peter was taken too, even into the palace of the high priest. And the high priest asked Jesus, and said unto him:

Art thou the messiah, the Son of the Blessed?

And Jesus answered:

Thou sayest.

Then the high priest rent his clothes, for the nation had followed him, a false prophet, and saith:

What need we of witnesses? he is a false prophet who says he is the messiah, a king. It is sedition; what think ye?

And they all condemned him to be guilty. And the guards began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him:

Prophesy, thou false prophet,

and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

And Peter was brought before Annas, in the lower court, and the priest said:

Thou also wast with Jesus the Nazarene. Vow that he is a false prophet and thou shalt go free with a whipping.

But Peter replied, saying:

I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest, for it is written: Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

And the priest said:

Thou shalt be crucified by the Romans if thou deniest him not. If thou wilt not sware then deny him thrice and save thyself, for it is not lawful for us to condemn two men on the same day.

And Peter feared to be hung on a tree, and he denied him thrice; and Annas ordered him to be whipped. And as he went out the bugles sounded the Cockcrow from the Antonia fortress. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

And in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, to confirm the committal, for they had no other authority, and then carried Jesus away bound, and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him:

Art thou the king of the Jews?

And Jesus answered him nothing, for it was not lawful in his philosophy for him to vow a man to destruction in the courts of the gentile.

And after his condemnation, Jesus lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude came to the palace, crying aloud to Pilate, and began to beseech him, as he was wont to make them, calling:

Barabbas, Barabbas,

for this was their name for Jesus. And Pilate said unto them:

Will ye that I release unto you the king of the Jews? Then take ye to your homes, and I shall release him.

And they dispersed in wonder that Pilate had heard them. And Pilate, when the people had gone, delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified, for he was deceiving them.

And the soldiers led him away into a public place that all might see him, and they called together the legionaries. And, after the fashion of the Roman festival of Saturnalia, they dressed him as the fool who would be king; they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, and began to salute him:

Hail, king of the Jews!

And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took the purple from him, and led him out naked to crucify him.

And as they passed by, one Simon, encountered them and took his cross. And they bring him unto the place Golgoltha, which is, being interpreted: The skull. And, to ease his pain, they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not, for he would not break his vow of consecration to God. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over: THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify many more seditionists; and one was on his right hand, and another on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith:

And he was numbered with the transgressors,

And they that were crucified with him reviled him saying:

Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and us, and come down from the cross.

And Jesus answered, saying:

Doest thou no longer fear God, since thou art in the same condemnation. And we indeed justly, for we receive punishment for what we have done. But this other, hath done nothing amiss.

For one hanging near them was an innocent pilgrim. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves:

He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the messiah, the king of Israel let him now descend from the cross, that we may see and believe. Let God deliver him now, if he will have him, for he said: I am the Son of God.

And after three days Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying:

Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?

which is, being interpreted:

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said:

Behold, he calleth Elias.

And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying:

Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

And Jesus again cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.

And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, which also waiteth for the kingdom of God, being an Essene, an honourable counsellor of the council of the congregation, came and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus, since he was the next of kin. And Pilate, satisfied with the punishment, called unto him the centurion, asking him whether he had been any while dead, and the centurion avowed he was dead, for he had pierced him with his spear. When Pilate knew it of the centurion, he yieldeth the corpse to Joseph, and he bought white linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock in the Garden of Zadok, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome came to mourn him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves:

Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them:

Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus the Nazarene, which was crucified: he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples that they must go into Galilee to be safe.

And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

Skeptical Resources—Internet infidels | Jesus Never Existed | Steven Carr’s Website | Christianism | Early Christian Writings | God is Imaginary | “Religion Detoxification” | Our Judaio-Christian Heritage | Archaeoastronomy | No Deity | No Beliefs | Evil Bible | Bible God | ex-Christians | Jesus Police | Islamic Faith Freedom | Atheist Experience | American Atheists | Jovial Atheist | Askwhy! books
Other Resources—Early Christian Docs | Resources for Study | Traditional Bible-History | Traditional Bible World History | Traditional Bible History | about.com biblical history | Apologetics web sites | Advent Ch Fathers | Orion center links | Wikipedia | Traditional Jewish History