John 19:23-42

New Life Version

They Divided His Clothes ^(A)

²³ The soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross took His clothes and divided them in four parts, each soldier getting one part. But His coat which was not sewed was made in one piece. ²⁴ They said to each other, “Let us not cut it up. Let us draw names to see whose it should be.” This happened as the Holy Writings said it would happen, “They divided My clothes among them and they drew names for My coat.” ^{(B) 25} This is what the soldiers did.

The Women at the Cross ^(C)

The mother of Jesus and her sister Mary, the wife of Cleophas, were standing near the cross. Mary Magdalene was there also. ²⁶ Jesus saw His mother and the follower whom He loved standing near. He said to His mother, “Woman, look at your son.” ²⁷ Then Jesus said to the follower, “Look at your mother.” From that time the follower took her to his own house.

The Death of Jesus ^(D)

²⁸ Jesus knew that everything was now finished. Everything happened as the Holy Writings said it would happen. He said, “I am thirsty.” ^{(E) 29} There was a jar full of sour wine near. They filled a sponge and put it on a stick and put it to His mouth. ³⁰ Jesus took the sour wine and said, “It is finished.” He put His head down and gave up His spirit and died.

His Bones Were Not Broken

³¹ This was the day before the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt. The next day was the Day of Rest and the great day of the religious gathering. The Jews went to Pilate and asked to have the legs of the men broken. They wanted their bodies taken away so they would not be hanging on the crosses on the Day of Rest. ³² Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been nailed to crosses beside Jesus. ³³ They came to Jesus. They saw He was already dead so they did not break His legs. ³⁴ But one of the soldiers pushed a spear into His side. Blood and water ran out.

³⁵ The one who saw it is writing this and what he says is true. He knows he is telling the truth so you may believe. ³⁶ These things happened as the Holy Writings said they would happen, “Not one of His bones will be broken.” ^{(F) 37} And in another place the Holy Writings say, “They will look at Him Whose side they cut.” ^(G)

The Grave of Jesus ^(H)

³⁸ Joseph was from the town of Arimathea. He was a follower of Jesus but was afraid of the Jews. So he worshiped without anyone knowing it. He asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Pilate said he could. Then Joseph came and took it away. ³⁹ Nicodemus came also. The first time he had come to Jesus had been at night. He brought with him a large box of spices. ⁴⁰ Then they took the body of Jesus with the spices and put it in linen cloths. This was the way the Jews made a body ready for the grave.

⁴¹ There was a garden near the place where He had been nailed to the cross. In the garden there was a new grave in the side of the hill. No one had ever been laid there. ⁴² This place was near by. Because it was the day the Jews got ready for the special religious gathering, they laid Jesus in it.