Luke 23:25-43

²⁵He released the man who had been put in prison for riot and murder, as they demanded, and gave Jesus up to be dealt with as they pleased.

²⁶And, as they were leading Jesus away, they laid hold of Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and they put the cross on his shoulders, for him to carry it behind Jesus.

²⁷There was a great crowd of people following him, many being women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.

²⁸So Jesus turned and said to them, “Women of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

²⁹A time, I tell you, is coming, when it will be said — ‘Happy are the women who are barren, and those who have never borne children or nursed them!’

³⁰At that time people will begin to say to the mountains ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills ‘Cover us.’

³¹If what you see is done while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

³²There were two others also, criminals, led out to be executed with Jesus.

³³When they had reached the place called ‘The Skull,’ there they crucified Jesus and the criminals, one on the right, and one on the left.

³⁴Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.” His clothes they divided among them by casting lots.

³⁵Meanwhile the people stood looking on. Even the leading men said with a sneer, “He saved others, let him save himself, if he is God's Christ, his chosen one.”

³⁶The soldiers, too, came up in mockery, bringing him common wine,

³⁷and saying as they did so, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸Above him were the words — ‘THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’

³⁹One of the criminals who were hanging beside Jesus railed at him. “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us,” he said.

⁴⁰But the other rebuked him. “Haven't you,” he said, “any fear of God, now that you are under the same sentence?

⁴¹And we justly so, for we are only reaping our deserts, but this man has not done anything wrong.

⁴²Jesus,” he went on, “do not forget me when you have come to your kingdom.”

⁴³And Jesus answered, “I tell you, this very day you will be with me in Paradise.”