Study Desk

For their sake, I am making myself ready to serve so that they can be ready for their service of the truth.

I have given these people the glory that you gave me so that they can be one, just as you and I are one.

I will be in them and you will be in me so that they will be completely one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you loved them just as much as you loved me.

So Judas came there with a group of soldiers and some guards from the leading priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons.

"I told you that I am he," Jesus said. "So if you are looking for me, let the others go."

This happened so that the words Jesus said before would come true: "I have not lost any of the ones you gave me."

Simon Peter and another one of Jesus' followers went along after Jesus. This follower knew the high priest, so he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard.

It was cold, so the servants and guards had built a fire and were standing around it, warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

So why do you question me? Ask the people who heard my teaching. They know what I said."

So Pilate went outside to them and asked, "What charges do you bring against this man?"

(This happened so that what Jesus said about how he would die would come true.)

Pilate said, "So you are a king!" Jesus answered, "You are the one saying I am a king. This is why I was born and came into the world: to tell people the truth. And everyone who belongs to the truth listens to me."

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"

So Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified. The soldiers took charge of Jesus.

So the soldiers said to each other, "We should not tear this into parts. Let's throw lots to see who will get it." This happened so that this Scripture would come true: "They divided my clothes among them, and they threw lots for my clothing." Psalm 22:18 So the soldiers did this.

After this, Jesus knew that everything had been done. So that the Scripture would come true, he said, "I am thirsty."

There was a jar full of vinegar there, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a branch of a hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' mouth.

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man on the cross beside Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the man on the other cross beside Jesus.

(The one who saw this happen is the one who told us this, and whatever he says is true. And he knows that he tells the truth, and he tells it so that you might believe.)

Later, Joseph from Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take the body of Jesus. (Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus, because he was afraid of some of the leaders.) Pilate gave his permission, so Joseph came and took Jesus' body away.