Frederick Buechner, “Herod Antipas,” Peculiar Treasures, p. 48-50
1 Then the whole company of them arose, and brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king.” 3 And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” 4 And Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no crime in this man.” 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”
23:1 και ανασταν απαν το πληθος αυτων ηγαγον αυτον επι τον πιλατον 23:2 ηρξαντο δε κατηγορειν αυτου λεγοντες τουτον ευρομεν διαστρεφοντα το εθνος και κωλυοντα καισαρι φορους διδοναι λεγοντα εαυτον χριστον βασιλεα ειναι 23:3 ο δε πιλατος επηρωτησεν αυτον λεγων συ ει ο βασιλευς των ιουδαιων ο δε αποκριθεις αυτω εφη συ λεγεις 23:4 ο δε πιλατος ειπεν προς τους αρχιερεις και τους οχλους ουδεν ευρισκω αιτιον εν τω ανθρωπω τουτω 23:5 οι δε επισχυον λεγοντες οτι ανασειει τον λαον διδασκων καθ ολης της ιουδαιας αρξαμενος απο της γαλιλαιας εως ωδε
Frederick Buechner, “Herod Antipas,” Peculiar Treasures, p. 48-50
6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. 9 So he questioned him at some length; but he made no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then, arraying him in gorgeous apparel, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
23:6 πιλατος δε ακουσας γαλιλαιαν επηρωτησεν ει ο ανθρωπος γαλιλαιος εστιν 23:7 και επιγνους οτι εκ της εξουσιας ηρωδου εστιν ανεπεμψεν αυτον προς ηρωδην οντα και αυτον εν ιεροσολυμοις εν ταυταις ταις ημεραις 23:8 ο δε ηρωδης ιδων τον ιησουν εχαρη λιαν ην γαρ θελων εξ ικανου ιδειν αυτον δια το ακουειν πολλα περι αυτου και ηλπιζεν τι σημειον ιδειν υπ αυτου γινομενον 23:9 επηρωτα δε αυτον εν λογοις ικανοις αυτος δε ουδεν απεκρινατο αυτω 23:10 ειστηκεισαν δε οι αρχιερεις και οι γραμματεις ευτονως κατηγορουντες αυτου 23:11 εξουθενησας δε αυτον ο ηρωδης συν τοις στρατευμασιν αυτου και εμπαιξας περιβαλων αυτον εσθητα λαμπραν ανεπεμψεν αυτον τω πιλατω 23:12 εγενοντο δε φιλοι ο τε πιλατος και ο ηρωδης εν αυτη τη ημερα μετ αλληλων προυπηρχον γαρ εν εχθρα οντες προς εαυτους
13-18 John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Excavating Jesus, p. 265-267
Excavating Jesus
Across those texts [Mark 15:6-8, Matt. 27:15-26, John 18:38-40], across those levels of the third layer from Mark through John, there is a steady escalation. It moves, first, from “crowd” to “crowds” to “all the people” to “the Jews.” It moves, second, from an understandable situation, in which they come to get Barabbas released and are therefore against any Pilate-proposed release of Jesus, to an ununderstandable one, in which they are against Jesus and therefore for the release of Barabbas. (p. 266)
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him; 15 neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him; 16 I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
18 But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas” -19 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city, and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus; 21 but they shouted out, “Crucify, crucify him!” 22 A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no crime deserving death; I will therefore chastise him and release him.” 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate gave sentence that their demand should be granted. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, whom they asked for; but Jesus he delivered up to their will.
23:13 πιλατος δε συγκαλεσαμενος τους αρχιερεις και τους αρχοντας και τον λαον 23:14 ειπεν προς αυτους προσηνεγκατε μοι τον ανθρωπον τουτον ως αποστρεφοντα τον λαον και ιδου εγω ενωπιον υμων ανακρινας ουδεν ευρον εν τω ανθρωπω τουτω αιτιον ων κατηγορειτε κατ αυτου 23:15 αλλ ουδε ηρωδης ανεπεμψα γαρ υμας προς αυτον και ιδου ουδεν αξιον θανατου εστιν πεπραγμενον αυτω 23:16 παιδευσας ουν αυτον απολυσω 23:17 αναγκην δε ειχεν απολυειν αυτοις κατα εορτην ενα
23:18 ανεκραξαν δε παμπληθει λεγοντες αιρε τουτον απολυσον δε ημιν βαραββαν 23:19 οστις ην δια στασιν τινα γενομενην εν τη πολει και φονον βεβλημενος εις φυλακην 23:20 παλιν ουν ο πιλατος προσεφωνησεν θελων απολυσαι τον ιησουν 23:21 οι δε επεφωνουν λεγοντες σταυρωσον σταυρωσον αυτον 23:22 ο δε τριτον ειπεν προς αυτους τι γαρ κακον εποιησεν ουτος ουδεν αιτιον θανατου ευρον εν αυτω παιδευσας ουν αυτον απολυσω 23:23 οι δε επεκειντο φωναις μεγαλαις αιτουμενοι αυτον σταυρωθηναι και κατισχυον αι φωναι αυτων και των αρχιερεων 23:24 ο δε πιλατος επεκρινεν γενεσθαι το αιτημα αυτων 23:25 απελυσεν δε τον δια στασιν και φονον βεβλημενον εις την φυλακην ον ητουντο τον δε ιησουν παρεδωκεν τω θεληματι αυτων
Frederick Buechner, “The Sign by the Highway,” The Hungering Dark, p. 59-69 Denise Levertov, “Standoff,” Breathing the Water, p. 67
“Standoff”
Assail God’s hearing with gull-screech knifeblades.
Cozen the saints to plead our cause, claiming
grace abounding.
God crucified on the resolve not to displume
our unused wings
hears: nailed palms
cannot beat off the flames of insistent sound,
strident or plaintive,
nor reach to annul freedom—
nor would God renege.
Our shoulders ache. The abyss
gapes at us.
When shall we
dare to fly?
27-31 Jeremiah 9:17-21; Luke 2:36-38
29 Thomas 79
30 Hosea 10:8; Revelation 6:16
34 Exodus 34:9; Psalm 22:18, Matthew 5:44
35 Psalm 22:7
36 Psalm 69:21
39-43 Genesis 40:1-23
42 Psalm 106:4
32 Oswald Mbuyoseni Mtshali, “Ride Upon the Death Chariot,” Divine Inspiration, p. 450
34 Gwendolyn Brooks, “Riot,” Divine Inspiration, p. 468
34 John Donne, Classics of Western Spirituality, p. 187-198
34 W. E. B. Du Bois, from “A Litany of Atlanta,” Divine Inspiration, p. 466
34 Martin Luther King, Jr., “Love in Action,” Strength to Love, p. 36-46
34 Donald Senior, Scripture and Prayer, p. 123-126
34 J. Barrie Shepherd, “The Last Miracle,” The Moveable Feast, p. 50
“The Last Miracle”
Were you perhaps bewildered
having hoped despite defiant words
for at least one late and minor miracle
on your own behalf, considering all the rest?
Or dare we yet believe what was written
that your concern was even at the end to shield
to plead the cause of all who wield the whips
and crushing hammers of this crucifying world?
39-43 Jorge Luis Borges, “Luke XXIII,” Divine Inspiration, p. 471
39-43 James McCourt, “Genesis (Jacob) and Luke,” Communion, p. 123-132
39-43 Blaise Pascal, “# 767,” Pensées, p. 229
“# 767”
In prison Joseph, innocent between two criminals; Jesus Christ on the cross between two thieves— Joseph foretells freedom to the one and death to the other from the same omens. Jesus Christ saves the elect and condemns the outcast for the same sins. Joseph foretells only, Jesus Christ acts. Joseph asks him who will be saved to remember him when he comes into his glory, and he whom Jesus Christ saves asks that He will remember him when He comes into His kingdom.
39-43 Nis Petersen, “Gypsy Privilege,” Divine Inspiration, p. 472
26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyre’ne, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. 28 But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never gave suck!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place which is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him vinegar, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
23:26 και ως απηγαγον αυτον επιλαβομενοι σιμωνος τινος κυρηναιου ερχομενου απ αγρου επεθηκαν αυτω τον σταυρον φερειν οπισθεν του ιησου 23:27 ηκολουθει δε αυτω πολυ πληθος του λαου και γυναικων αι και εκοπτοντο και εθρηνουν αυτον 23:28 στραφεις δε προς αυτας ο ιησους ειπεν θυγατερες ιερουσαλημ μη κλαιετε επ εμε πλην εφ εαυτας κλαιετε και επι τα τεκνα υμων 23:29 οτι ιδου ερχονται ημεραι εν αις ερουσιν μακαριαι αι στειραι και κοιλιαι αι ουκ εγεννησαν και μαστοι οι ουκ εθηλασαν 23:30 τοτε αρξονται λεγειν τοις ορεσιν πεσετε εφ ημας και τοις βουνοις καλυψατε ημας 23:31 οτι ει εν τω υγρω ξυλω ταυτα ποιουσιν εν τω ξηρω τι γενηται
23:32 ηγοντο δε και ετεροι δυο κακουργοι συν αυτω αναιρεθηναι 23:33 και οτε απηλθον επι τον τοπον τον καλουμενον κρανιον εκει εσταυρωσαν αυτον και τους κακουργους ον μεν εκ δεξιων ον δε εξ αριστερων 23:34 ο δε ιησους ελεγεν πατερ αφες αυτοις ου γαρ οιδασιν τι ποιουσιν διαμεριζομενοι δε τα ιματια αυτου εβαλον κληρον 23:35 και ειστηκει ο λαος θεωρων εξεμυκτηριζον δε και οι αρχοντες συν αυτοις λεγοντες αλλους εσωσεν σωσατω εαυτον ει ουτος εστιν ο χριστος ο του θεου εκλεκτος 23:36 ενεπαιζον δε αυτω και οι στρατιωται προσερχομενοι και οξος προσφεροντες αυτω 23:37 και λεγοντες ει συ ει ο βασιλευς των ιουδαιων σωσον σεαυτον 23:38 ην δε και επιγραφη γεγραμμενη επ αυτω γραμμασιν ελληνικοις και ρωμαικοις και εβραικοις ουτος εστιν ο βασιλευς των ιουδαιων
23:39 εις δε των κρεμασθεντων κακουργων εβλασφημει αυτον λεγων ει συ ει ο χριστος σωσον σεαυτον και ημας 23:40 αποκριθεις δε ο ετερος επετιμα αυτω λεγων ουδε φοβη συ τον θεον οτι εν τω αυτω κριματι ει 23:41 και ημεις μεν δικαιως αξια γαρ ων επραξαμεν απολαμβανομεν ουτος δε ουδεν ατοπον επραξεν 23:42 και ελεγεν τω ιησου μνησθητι μου κυριε οταν ελθης εν τη βασιλεια σου 23:43 και ειπεν αυτω ο ιησους αμην λεγω σοι σημερον μετ εμου εση εν τω παραδεισω
45 Exodus 26:31-33
46 Psalm 31:5
49 Luke 8:2-3
46 J. Heinrich Arnold, Discipleship (in the Plough)
Discipleship
Every serious Christian must go through hours of godforsakenness; even Jesus himself did. The only answer in such hours is: “Father into thy hands I commit my spirit.” If we give ourselves unconditionally to the Father he will show us the way. But nothing will be shown to him who does not forgive his brother. God will not have mercy on him and he will remain godforsaken as long as he continues in his hatred and unforgiveness.
46 Donald Senior, Scripture and Prayer, p. 126-130
46 W. B. Yeats, “Calvary,” Selected Poems and Plays, p. 197
“Calvary”
The crowd shrinks backward from the face that seems
Death-stricken and death hungry still; and now
Martha and those three Marys and the rest
That live but in His love are gathered round Him.
He holds His right arm out and on His arm
Their lips are pressed and their tears fall; and now
They cast them on the ground before His dirty
Blood-dabbled feet and clean them with their hair.
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, and said, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance and saw these things.
23:44 ην δε ωσει ωρα εκτη και σκοτος εγενετο εφ ολην την γην εως ωρας ενατης 23:45 και εσκοτισθη ο ηλιος και εσχισθη το καταπετασμα του ναου μεσον 23:46 και φωνησας φωνη μεγαλη ο ιησους ειπεν πατερ εις χειρας σου παραθησομαι το πνευμα μου και ταυτα ειπων εξεπνευσεν 23:47 ιδων δε ο εκατονταρχος το γενομενον εδοξασεν τον θεον λεγων οντως ο ανθρωπος ουτος δικαιος ην 23:48 και παντες οι συμπαραγενομενοι οχλοι επι την θεωριαν ταυτην θεωρουντες τα γενομενα τυπτοντες εαυτων τα στηθη υπεστρεφον 23:49 ειστηκεισαν δε παντες οι γνωστοι αυτου μακροθεν και γυναικες αι συνακολουθησασαι αυτω απο της γαλιλαιας ορωσαι ταυτα
Frederick Buechner, “Joseph of Arimathea,” Peculiar Treasures, p. 79 f.
52-53 Malcolm Muggeridge, Jesus: The Man who Lives, p. 184
55-56 Vassar Miller, “Easter Eve: A Fantasy,” Divine Inspiration, p. 509
50 Now there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their purpose and deed, and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid; 56 then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
23:50 και ιδου ανηρ ονοματι ιωσηφ βουλευτης υπαρχων ανηρ αγαθος και δικαιος 23:51 ουτος ουκ ην συγκατατεθειμενος τη βουλη και τη πραξει αυτων απο αριμαθαιας πολεως των ιουδαιων ος και προσεδεχετο και αυτος την βασιλειαν του θεου 23:52 ουτος προσελθων τω πιλατω ητησατο το σωμα του ιησου 23:53 και καθελων αυτο ενετυλιξεν αυτο σινδονι και εθηκεν αυτο εν μνηματι λαξευτω ου ουκ ην ουδεπω ουδεις κειμενος 23:54 και ημερα ην παρασκευη σαββατον επεφωσκεν 23:55 κατακολουθησασαι δε γυναικες αιτινες ησαν συνεληλυθυιαι αυτω εκ της γαλιλαιας εθεασαντο το μνημειον και ως ετεθη το σωμα αυτου 23:56 υποστρεψασαι δε ητοιμασαν αρωματα και μυρα και το μεν σαββατον ησυχασαν κατα την εντολην