Study Desk

Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."

Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open.

Jesus was still speaking, when Judas the betrayer came up. He was one of the twelve disciples, and a large mob armed with swords and clubs was with him. They had been sent by the chief priests and the nation's leaders.

The chief priests and the whole council wanted to put Jesus to death. So they tried to find some people who would tell lies about him in court.

But they could not find any, even though many did come and tell lies. At last, two men came forward

The high priest stood up and asked Jesus, "Why don't you say something in your own defense? Don't you hear the charges they are making against you?"

What do you think?" They answered, "He is guilty and deserves to die!"

Then they spit in his face and hit him with their fists. Others slapped him

They tied him up and led him away to Pilate the governor.

and said, "I have sinned by betraying a man who has never done anything wrong." "So what? That's your problem," they replied.

Then they had a meeting and decided to buy a field that belonged to someone who made clay pots. They wanted to use it as a graveyard for foreigners.

They stripped off Jesus' clothes and put a scarlet robe on him.

They made a crown out of thorn branches and placed it on his head, and they put a stick in his right hand. The soldiers knelt down and pretended to worship him. They made fun of him and shouted, "Hey, you king of the Jews!"

Then they spit on him. They took the stick from him and beat him on the head with it.

When the soldiers had finished making fun of Jesus, they took off the robe. They put his own clothes back on him and led him off to be nailed to a cross.

On the way they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry Jesus' cross.

People who passed by said terrible things about Jesus. They shook their heads and

The chief priests, the leaders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses also made fun of Jesus. They said,

Then after Jesus had risen to life, they came out of their graves and went into the holy city, where they were seen by many people.

The officer and the soldiers guarding Jesus felt the earthquake and saw everything else that happened. They were frightened and said, "This man really was God's Son!"