In fact, Herod and Pontius Pilate met with the Gentiles in this city. They also met with the people of Israel. All of them made plans against your holy servant Jesus. He is the one you anointed.

希律和本丢彼拉多，外邦人和以色列民，果然在这城里聚集，要攻打你所膏的圣仆耶稣，

希律和本丢‧彼拉多，同外邦人和以色列民，果然在这城里聚集，要攻打你所膏的圣仆耶稣，

希律和本丢‧彼拉多，同外邦人和以色列民，果然在这城里聚集，要攻打你所膏的圣仆耶稣，

“果然如此，希律和本丢·彼拉多、外族人和以色列人都聚集在这城里，要对抗你膏立的圣子耶稣，

希律和本丢．彼拉多，外族人和以色列民，真的在这城里聚集，反对你所膏立的圣仆耶稣，

“事实上，希律和本丢彼拉多，与外邦人和以色列子民果然在这城里一同聚集，对付你所膏立的圣仆耶稣，

希律和本丟‧彼拉多，外邦人和以色列民，果然在這城裏聚集，要攻打你所膏的聖僕耶穌，

希律和本丟‧彼拉多，同外邦人和以色列民，果然在這城裏聚集，要攻打你所膏的聖僕耶穌，

希律和本丟‧彼拉多，同外邦人和以色列民，果然在這城裏聚集，要攻打你所膏的聖僕耶穌，

「果然如此，希律和本丟·彼拉多、外族人和以色列聚集在這城裡，要對抗你膏立的聖子耶穌，

希律和本丟．彼拉多，外族人和以色列民，真的在這城裡聚集，反對你所膏立的聖僕耶穌，

希律和本丟彼拉多、同外國人和以色列眾族之民、真地在這城裏聚集，攻打你所膏立的聖僕耶穌，

「事實上，希律和本丟彼拉多，與外邦人和以色列子民果然在這城裡一同聚集，對付你所膏立的聖僕耶穌，

蓋希律、本丟彼拉多、及異邦人、與以色列民、果集於此邑、欲攻爾所膏之聖僕耶穌、

希律、本丟彼拉多、異邦人、以色列民、果集、而攻爾所膏聖子耶穌、

希律本丟彼拉多、異邦人、以色列民、果集以攻爾所膏之聖子耶穌、

今希祿與般雀‧比辣多果率異邦及義塞之人民、群集於城、反抗爾之聖子耶穌即爾所膏沐、

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,

“ In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed.

“ For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,

For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,

“ For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together

for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,

“ For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed,

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

“ For indeed both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,

“ For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed,

So they tied him up and led him away. Then they handed him over to Pilate, who was the governor.

Stretch out your hand to heal. Do signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

He said,“ The Son of Man must suffer many things. The elders will not accept him. The chief priests and the teachers of the law will not accept him either. He must be killed and on the third day rise from the dead.”

Just as Jesus was speaking, Judas appeared. He was one of the 12 disciples. A crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders had sent them.Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, had arranged a signal with them.“ The one I kiss is the man,” he said.“ Arrest him and have the guards lead him away.”So Judas went to Jesus at once. Judas said,“ Rabbi!” And he kissed Jesus.The men grabbed Jesus and arrested him.Then one of those standing nearby pulled his sword out. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.“ Am I leading a band of armed men against you?” asked Jesus.“ Do you have to come out with swords and clubs to capture me?Every day I was with you. I taught in the temple courtyard, and you didn’t arrest me. But the Scriptures must come true.”Then everyone left him and ran away.A young man was following Jesus. The man was wearing nothing but a piece of linen cloth. When the crowd grabbed him,he ran away naked. He left his clothing behind.The crowd took Jesus to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the teachers of the law came together.Not too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards. He warmed himself at the fire.The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. But they did not find any proof.Many witnesses lied about him. But their stories did not agree.Then some of them stood up. Here is what those false witnesses said about him.“ We heard him say,‘ I will destroy this temple made by human hands. In three days I will build another temple, not made by human hands.’ ”But what they said did not agree.Then the high priest stood up in front of them. He asked Jesus,“ Aren’t you going to answer? What are these charges these men are bringing against you?”But Jesus remained silent. He gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him,“ Are you the Messiah? Are you the Son of the Blessed One?”“ I am,” said Jesus.“ And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.”The high priest tore his clothes.“ Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked.“ You have heard him say a very evil thing against God. What do you think?” They all found him guilty and said he must die.Then some began to spit at him. They blindfolded him. They hit him with their fists. They said,“ Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

“ We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said.“ The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence him to death.Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles. The people will make fun of him and whip him. They will nail him to a cross. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!”

“ What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said,‘ Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

“ We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said.“ The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles.

The angel answered,“ The Holy Spirit will come to you. The power of the Most High God will cover you. So the holy one that is born will be called the Son of God.

He came to what was his own. But his own people did not accept him.

The Spirit of the Lord and King is on me. The Lord has anointed me to announce good news to poor people. He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts have been broken. He has sent me to announce freedom for those who have been captured. He wants me to set prisoners free from their dark cells.

Instead, one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus’ side. Right away, blood and water flowed out.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was near.The chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for a way to get rid of Jesus. They were afraid of the people.Then Satan entered Judas, who was called Iscariot. Judas was one of the 12 disciples.He went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard. He talked with them about how he could hand Jesus over to them.They were delighted and agreed to give him money.Judas accepted their offer. He watched for the right time to hand Jesus over to them. He wanted to do it when no crowd was around.

and said,“ So you are going to destroy the temple and build it again in three days? Then save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders made fun of him.“ He saved others,” they said.“ But he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross! Then we will believe in him.He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him. He’s the one who said,‘ I am the Son of God.’ ”

Jesus was standing in front of the governor. The governor asked him,“ Are you the king of the Jews?”“ Yes. You have said so,” Jesus replied.But when the chief priests and the elders brought charges against him, he did not answer.Then Pilate asked him,“ Don’t you hear the charges they are bringing against you?”But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge. The governor was really amazed.It was the governor’s practice at the Passover Feast to let one prisoner go free. The people could choose the one they wanted.At that time they had a well- known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas.So when the crowd gathered, Pilate asked them,“ Which one do you want me to set free? Jesus Barabbas? Or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”Pilate knew that the leaders wanted to get their own way. He knew this was why they had handed Jesus over to him.While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him a message. It said,“ Don’t have anything to do with that man. He is not guilty. I have suffered a great deal in a dream today because of him.”But the chief priests and the elders talked the crowd into asking for Barabbas and having Jesus put to death.“ Which of the two do you want me to set free?” asked the governor.“ Barabbas,” they answered.“ Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They all answered,“ Crucify him!”“ Why? What wrong has he done?” asked Pilate. But they shouted even louder,“ Crucify him!”Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere. Instead, the crowd was starting to get angry. So he took water and washed his hands in front of them.“ I am not guilty of this man’s death,” he said.“ You are accountable for that!”All the people answered,“ Put the blame for his death on us and our children!”Pilate let Barabbas go free. But he had Jesus whipped. Then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross.The governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the palace, which was called the Praetorium. All the rest of the soldiers gathered around him.They took off his clothes and put a purple robe on him.Then they twisted thorns together to make a crown. They placed it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand. Then they fell on their knees in front of him and made fun of him.“ We honor you, king of the Jews!” they said.They spit on him. They hit him on the head with the stick again and again.After they had made fun of him, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to nail him to a cross.On their way out of the city, they met a man from Cyrene. His name was Simon. They forced him to carry the cross.They came to a place called Golgotha. The word Golgotha means the Place of the Skull.There they mixed wine with bitter spices and gave it to Jesus to drink. After tasting it, he refused to drink it.When they had nailed him to the cross, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.They sat down and kept watch over him there.

Then the chief priests met with the elders of the people. They met in the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest.They made plans to arrest Jesus secretly. They wanted to kill him.

So I took care of the sheep set apart to be sacrificed. I took special care of those that had been treated badly. Then I got two shepherd’s staffs. I called one of them Favor. I called the other one Union. And I took care of the flock.In one month I got rid of three worthless shepherds. The sheep hated me, and I got tired of them.

“ The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has anointed me to announce the good news to poor people. He has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners. He has sent me so that the blind will see again. He wants me to set free those who are treated badly.

He says to them,“ I have placed my king on my holy mountain of Zion.”

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death.But they did not find any proof, even though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two other witnesses came forward.They said,“ This fellow claimed,‘ I am able to destroy the temple of God. I can build it again in three days.’ ”Then the high priest stood up. He asked Jesus,“ Aren’t you going to answer? What are these charges that these men are bringing against you?”But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him,“ I am commanding you in the name of the living God. May he judge you if you don’t tell the truth. Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”“ You have said so,” Jesus replied.“ But here is what I say to all of you. From now on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.”Then the high priest tore his clothes. He said,“ He has spoken a very evil thing against God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard him say this evil thing.What do you think?”“ He must die!” they answered.Then they spit in his face. They hit him with their fists. Others slapped him.They said,“ Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who hit you?”

The God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has done this. God has brought glory to Jesus, who serves him. But you handed Jesus over to be killed. Pilate had decided to let him go. But you spoke against Jesus when he was in Pilate’s court.You spoke against the Holy and Blameless One. You asked for a murderer to be set free instead.

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!

Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus. He asked him about his disciples and his teaching.“ I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied.“ I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I didn’t say anything in secret.Why question me? Ask the people who heard me. They certainly know what I said.”When Jesus said that, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face.“ Is this any way to answer the high priest?” he asked.“ Have I said something wrong?” Jesus replied.“ If I have, then tell everyone what it was. But if I spoke the truth, why did you hit me?”Annas sent him, tied up, to Caiaphas, the high priest.

If that is true, what about the one the Father set apart as his very own? What about this one the Father sent into the world? Why do you charge me with saying a very evil thing? Is it because I said,‘ I am God’s Son’?

When Jesus had finished praying, he left with his disciples. They crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden. Jesus and his disciples went into it.Judas knew the place. He was going to hand Jesus over to his enemies. Jesus had often met in that place with his disciples.So Judas came to the garden. He was guiding a group of soldiers and some officials. The chief priests and the Pharisees had sent them. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went out and asked them,“ Who do you want?”“ Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.“ I am he,” Jesus said. Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, was standing there with them.When Jesus said,“ I am he,” they moved back. Then they fell to the ground.He asked them again,“ Who do you want?”“ Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.Jesus answered,“ I told you I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken would come true. He had said,“ I have not lost anyone God has given me.”( John 6:39)Simon Peter had a sword and pulled it out. He struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus.Jesus commanded Peter,“ Put your sword away! Shouldn’t I drink the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”Then the group of soldiers, their commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They tied him upand brought him first to Annas. He was the father- in- law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time.Caiaphas had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

“ Jerusalem! Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and throw stones in order to kill those who are sent to you. Many times I have wanted to gather your people together. I have wanted to be like a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings. And you would not let me!

You know how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Jesus went around doing good. He healed all who were under the devil’s power. God was with him.

“ Can human beings really be pure? Can those who are born really be right with God?

Who can bring what is pure from something that isn’t pure? No one!

The Lord sets his people free. He is the Holy One of Israel. He speaks to his servant, who is looked down on and hated by the nations. He speaks to the servant of rulers. He says to him,“ Kings will see you and stand up to honor you. Princes will see you and bow down to show you their respect. I am the Lord. I am faithful. I am the Holy One of Israel. I have chosen you.”

People looked down on him. They didn’t accept him. He knew all about pain and suffering. He was like someone people turn their faces away from. We looked down on him. We didn’t have any respect for him.

It was very early in the morning. The chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law, and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they tied Jesus up and led him away. Then they handed him over to Pilate.“ Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.“ You have said so,” Jesus replied.The chief priests brought many charges against him.So Pilate asked him again,“ Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they charge you with.”But Jesus still did not reply. Pilate was amazed.It was the usual practice at the Passover Feast to let one prisoner go free. The people could choose the one they wanted.A man named Barabbas was in prison. He was there with some other people who had fought against the country’s rulers. They had committed murder while they were fighting against the rulers.The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.“ Do you want me to let the king of the Jews go free?” asked Pilate.He knew that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him because they wanted to get their own way.But the chief priests stirred up the crowd. So the crowd asked Pilate to let Barabbas go free instead.“ Then what should I do with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.“ Crucify him!” the crowd shouted.“ Why? What wrong has he done?” asked Pilate. But they shouted even louder,“ Crucify him!”Pilate wanted to satisfy the crowd. So he let Barabbas go free. He ordered that Jesus be whipped. Then he handed him over to be nailed to a cross.The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace. It was called the Praetorium. They called together the whole company of soldiers.The soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus. Then they twisted thorns together to make a crown. They placed it on his head.They began to call out to him,“ We honor you, king of the Jews!”Again and again they hit him on the head with a stick. They spit on him. They fell on their knees and pretended to honor him.After they had made fun of him, they took off the purple robe. They put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him out to nail him to a cross.A man named Simon was passing by. He was from Cyrene. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Simon was on his way in from the country. The soldiers forced him to carry the cross.They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha. The word Golgotha means the Place of the Skull.Then they gave him wine mixed with spices. But he did not take it.They nailed him to the cross. Then they divided up his clothes. They cast lots to see what each of them would get.It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.They wrote out the charge against him. It read, the king of the jews.They crucified with him two rebels against Rome. One was on his right and one was on his left.

The kings of the earth rise up against the Lord. The rulers of the earth join together against his anointed king.

The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were plotting to arrest Jesus secretly. They wanted to kill him.“ But not during the feast,” they said.“ The people may stir up trouble.”

You love what is right and hate what is evil. So your God has placed you above your companions. He has filled you with joy by pouring the sacred oil on your head.

You will not leave me in the place of the dead. You will not let your holy one rot away.

How can human beings be right with God? How can mere people really be pure?

Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning. The Jewish leaders did not want to be made“ unclean.” They wanted to be able to eat the Passover meal. So they did not enter the palace.Pilate came out to them. He asked,“ What charges are you bringing against this man?”“ He has committed crimes,” they replied.“ If he hadn’t, we would not have handed him over to you.”Pilate said,“ Take him yourselves. Judge him by your own law.”“ But we don’t have the right to put anyone to death,” they complained.This happened so that what Jesus said about how he was going to die would come true.Then Pilate went back inside the palace. He ordered Jesus to be brought to him. Pilate asked him,“ Are you the king of the Jews?”“ Is that your own idea?” Jesus asked.“ Or did others talk to you about me?”“ Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied.“ Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”Jesus said,“ My kingdom is not from this world. If it were, those who serve me would fight. They would try to keep the Jewish leaders from arresting me. My kingdom is from another place.”“ So you are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered,“ You say that I am a king. In fact, that’s the reason I was born. I was born and came into the world to be a witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth listens to me.”“ What is truth?” Pilate replied. Then Pilate went out again to the Jews gathered there. He said,“ I find no basis for any charge against him.But you have a practice at Passover time. At that time, you ask me to set one prisoner free for you. Do you want me to set‘ the king of the Jews’ free?”They shouted back,“ No! Not him! Give us Barabbas!” Barabbas had taken part in an armed struggle against the country’s rulers.Then Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped.The soldiers twisted thorns together to make a crown. They put it on Jesus’ head. Then they put a purple robe on him.They went up to him again and again. They kept saying,“ We honor you, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.Once more Pilate came out. He said to the Jews gathered there,“ Look, I am bringing Jesus out to you. I want to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Then Pilate said to them,“ Here is the man!”As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted,“ Crucify him! Crucify him!” But Pilate answered,“ You take him and crucify him. I myself find no basis for a charge against him.”The Jewish leaders replied,“ We have a law. That law says he must die. He claimed to be the Son of God.”When Pilate heard that, he was even more afraid.He went back inside the palace.“ Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus. But Jesus did not answer him.“ Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said.“ Don’t you understand? I have the power to set you free or to nail you to a cross.”Jesus answered,“ You were given power from heaven. If you weren’t, you would have no power over me. So the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free. But the Jewish leaders kept shouting,“ If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend! Anyone who claims to be a king is against Caesar!”When Pilate heard that, he brought Jesus out. Pilate sat down on the judge’s seat. It was at a place called the Stone Walkway. In the Aramaic language it was called Gabbatha.It was about noon on Preparation Day in Passover Week.“ Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.But they shouted,“ Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”“ Should I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.“ We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.Finally, Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be nailed to a cross. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.He had to carry his own cross. He went out to a place called the Skull. In the Aramaic language it was called Golgotha.There they nailed Jesus to the cross. Two other men were crucified with him. One was on each side of him. Jesus was in the middle.Pilate had a notice prepared. It was fastened to the cross. It read, jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews.Many of the Jews read the sign. That’s because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. And the sign was written in the Aramaic, Latin and Greek languages.The chief priests of the Jews argued with Pilate. They said,“ Do not write‘ The King of the Jews.’ Write that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”Pilate answered,“ I have written what I have written.”When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes. They divided them into four parts. Each soldier got one part. All that was left was Jesus’ long, inner robe. It did not have any seams. It was made out of one piece of cloth from top to bottom.“ Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another.“ Let’s cast lots to see who will get it.” This happened so that Scripture would come true. It says,“ They divided up my clothes among them. They cast lots for what I was wearing.”( Psalm 22:18) So that is what the soldiers did.

“ Then the owner of the vineyard said,‘ What should I do? I have a son, and I love him. I will send him. Maybe they will respect him.’“ But when the renters saw the son, they talked the matter over.‘ This is the one who will receive all the owner’s property someday,’ they said.‘ Let’s kill him. Then everything will be ours.’So they threw him out of the vineyard. And they killed him.“ What will the owner of the vineyard do to the renters?He will come and kill them. He will give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said,“ We hope this never happens!”Jesus looked right at them and said,“ Here is something I want you to explain the meaning of. It is written,“‘ The stone the builders didn’t accept has become the most important stone of all.’( Psalm 118:22)Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces. But the stone will crush anyone it falls on.”The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest Jesus at once. They knew he had told that story against them. But they were afraid of the people.

There were men guarding Jesus. They began laughing at him and beating him.They blindfolded him. They said,“ Prophesy! Who hit you?”They also said many other things to make fun of him.At dawn the elders of the people met together. These included the chief priests and the teachers of the law. Jesus was led to them.“ If you are the Messiah,” they said,“ tell us.” Jesus answered,“ If I tell you, you will not believe me.And if I asked you, you would not answer.But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”They all asked,“ Are you the Son of God then?” He replied,“ You say that I am.”Then they said,“ Why do we need any more witnesses? We have heard it from his own lips.”Then the whole group got up and led Jesus off to Pilate.They began to bring charges against Jesus. They said,“ We have found this man misleading our people. He is against paying taxes to Caesar. And he claims to be Messiah, a king.”So Pilate asked Jesus,“ Are you the king of the Jews?”“ You have said so,” Jesus replied.Then Pilate spoke to the chief priests and the crowd. He announced,“ I find no basis for a charge against this man.”But they kept it up. They said,“ His teaching stirs up the people all over Judea. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.”

He learned that Jesus was from Herod’s area of authority. So Pilate sent Jesus to Herod. At that time Herod was also in Jerusalem.When Herod saw Jesus, he was very pleased. He had been wanting to see Jesus for a long time. He had heard much about him. He hoped to see Jesus perform a sign of some kind.Herod asked him many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there. With loud shouts they brought charges against him.Herod and his soldiers laughed at him and made fun of him. They dressed him in a beautiful robe. Then they sent him back to Pilate.That day Herod and Pilate became friends. Before this time they had been enemies.Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people.He said to them,“ You brought me this man. You said he was turning the people against the authorities. I have questioned him in front of you. I have found no basis for your charges against him.Herod hasn’t either. So he sent Jesus back to us. As you can see, Jesus has done nothing that is worthy of death.So I will just have him whipped and let him go.”

While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd came up. The man named Judas was leading them. He was one of the 12 disciples. Judas approached Jesus to kiss him.But Jesus asked him,“ Judas, are you handing over the Son of Man with a kiss?”Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen. So they said,“ Lord, should we use our swords against them?”One of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.But Jesus answered,“ Stop this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders. They had all come for him.“ Am I leading a band of armed men against you?” he asked.“ Do you have to come with swords and clubs?

A high priest like that really meets our need. He is holy, pure and without blame. He isn’t like other people. He does not sin. He is lifted high above the heavens.

When the Wise Men had left, Joseph had a dream. In the dream an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph.“ Get up!” the angel said.“ Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to come back. Herod is going to search for the child. He wants to kill him.”So Joseph got up. During the night, he left for Egypt with the child and his mother Mary.They stayed there until King Herod died. So the words the Lord had spoken through the prophet came true. He had said,“ I brought my son out of Egypt.”( Hosea 11:1)Herod realized that the Wise Men had tricked him. So he became very angry. He gave orders about Bethlehem and the area around it. He ordered all the boys two years old and under to be killed. This agreed with the time when the Wise Men had seen the star.

Jesus took the 12 disciples to one side. He told them,“ We are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true.He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will make fun of him. They will laugh at him and spit on him.They will whip him and kill him. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!”

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus. They said to him,“ Leave this place. Go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”He replied,“ Go and tell that fox,‘ I will keep on driving out demons. I will keep on healing people today and tomorrow. And on the third day I will reach my goal.’In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day. Certainly no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!

At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee and Perea, heard reports about Jesus.