|
THE CRUCIFIXION
A compilation from the 4 Gospels
with added commentary from "The Desire of Ages"
Compiled
by
Jim Pappas
Suggested Donation $3.00
This can be done as a one man reading or each separate
voice can be assigned to different readers.
Now when the
even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat,
he said,
Jesus: Verily
I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
And they began
to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? And
another said, Is it I? And He answered and said,
Jesus: He that
dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that
man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that
man if he had never been born.
Then Judas,
which betrayed him, answered and said,
Judas: Master,
is it I?
He said unto
him,
Jesus: Thou
hast said. ...That thou doest, do quickly...
He then...went
out: and it was night. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread,
and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and
said,
Jesus: Take,
eat; this is my body.
And he took
the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
Jesus: Drink
ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which
is shed for many for the remission of sins. Verily I say unto
you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that
day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
And when they
had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Then
saith Jesus unto them,
Jesus: All ye
shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written,
I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be
scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before
you into Galilee.
Peter answered
and said unto him,
Peter: Though
all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be
offended.
Jesus said into
him,
Jesus: Verily
I say unto thee, verily I say unto thee, That this day, even
in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me
thrice.
But he spake
the more vehemently,
Peter: If I
should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.
Likewise also
said they all. And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane:
And he saith to his disciples,
Jesus: Sit ye
here, while I go and pray yonder.
And he took
with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful
and very heavy. Then saith he unto them,
Jesus: My soul
is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch
with me.
And he went
a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, that, if
it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said,
Jesus: Abba,
Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup
from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
And he cometh
unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter,
Jesus: Simon,
sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch and pray,
that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing,
but the flesh is weak.
He went away
again the second time, and prayed, saying,
Jesus: O my
Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink
it, thy will be done.
And he came
and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he
left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying,
Jesus: Father,
if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:
D.A.: Three
times has He uttered that prayer. Three times has humanity shrunk
from the last, crowning sacrifice. But now the history of the
human race comes up before the world's Redeemer. He sees that
the transgressors of the law, if left to themselves, must perish.
He sees the helplessness of man. He sees the power of sin. The
woes and lamentations of a doomed world rise before Him. He beholds
its impending fate, and His decision is made. He will save man
at any cost to Himself. He accepts His baptism of blood, that
through Him perishing millions may gain everlasting life. ...His
prayer now breathes only submission:
Jesus: ...nevertheless
not my will, but thine, be done.
And there appeared
an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in
an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were
great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he
rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found
them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them,
Jesus: Sleep
on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and
the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let
us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
And while he
yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a
great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests
and elders of the people. Jesus therefore, knowing all things
that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them,
Jesus: Whom
seek ye?
hey answered
him,
Soldier: Jesus
of Nazareth.
Jesus saith
unto them,
Jesus: I am
he.
And Judas also,
which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said
unto them, I am he,...
D.A.: ... the
angel who had lately ministered to Jesus moved between Him and
the mob. A divine light illuminated the Saviors face, and a dovelike
form overshadowed Him. In the presence of this divine glory,
the murderous throng could not stand for a moment. They staggered
back. Priests, elders, soldiers, and even Judas, fell as dead
men to the ground.
Then asked he
them again,
Jesus: Whom
seek ye?
And they said,
Soldier: Jesus
of Nazareth.
Jesus answered
Jesus: I have
told you that I am he; If therefore ye seek me, let these go
their way.
Now he that
betrayed him gave them a sign saying,
Judas: Whomsoever
I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
And forthwith
he came to Jesus, and said,
Judas: Hail,
master; and kissed him.
Jesus: And Jesus
said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Betrayest thou
the Son of man with a kiss?
Then came they,
and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. When they which were about
him saw what would follow, they said unto him,
Then Simon Peter
having a sword drew it, [saying]
Peter: Lord,
shall we smite with the sword?
..and smote
the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's
name was Malchus.
Jesus: And Jesus
answered and said, Suffer ye thus far.
And he touched
his ear, and healed him. Then said Jesus unto Peter,
Jesus: Put up
thy sword into the sheath: for all they that take the sword shall
perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to
my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions
of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that
thus it must be? ... the cup which my Father hath given me, shall
I not drink it?
Then Jesus said
unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders,
which were come out to him...
Jesus: Are ye
came out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take
me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid
no hold on me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
...the scriptures must be fulfilled..
Then all the
disciples forsook him, and fled. And they that had laid hold
on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the
scribes and the elders were assembled.
And Simon Peter
followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was
known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace
of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then
went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest,
and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter,
Maid: Art not
thou also one of this man's disciples?
Peter: And he
denied him, saying, Woman, I know not, neither understand I what
thou sayest.
And he went
out into the porch; and the cock crew.
The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his
doctrine. Jesus answered him,
Jesus: I spake
openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the
temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I
said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what
I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
And when he
had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus
with the palm of his hand, saying,
Soldier: Answerest
thou the high priest so?
Jesus: Jesus
answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil:
but if well, why smitest thou me?
And the servants
and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it
was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter sat down among
them to see the end. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat
by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said,
Maid: This man
was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
Peter: And again
he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
Now the chief
priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness
against Jesus, to put him to death: But found none: yea, though
many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed
not together. At the last came two false witnesses, And said,
Witness: This
fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build
it in three days.
But neither
so did their witness agree together. And the high priest arose,
and said unto him,
Caiaphas: Answerest
thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
But Jesus held
his peace, and answered nothing. And the high priest answered
and said unto him,
Caiaphas: I
adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou
be the Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus saith
unto him,
Jesus: Thou
hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see
the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming
in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high
priest rent his clothes, saying,
Caiaphas: He
hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses?
behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?
And they all
condemned him to be guilty of death.. Then did they spit in his
face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of
their hands, Saying,
Person: Prophecy
unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
Now Peter sat
without and...about the space of one hour after another confidently
affirmed, saying,
Person: Did
I not see thee in the garden with him? Of a truth this fellow
also was with him: for he is a Galilean. Thy speech bewrayeth
thee.
Then began he
to curse and to swear, saying,
Peter: Man,
I know not what thou sayest! I know not the man.
And immediately,
while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked
upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he
had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And Peter
went out, and wept bitterly.
And when they
had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him,
saying,
Person: Prophesy,
who is it that smote thee?
And many other
things blasphemously spake they against him.
Then Judas,
which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented
himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the
chief priests and elders, and
D.A. "Suddenly
a hoarse voice rang through the hall, sending a thrill of terror
to all hearts:
Judas: He is
innocent; spare Him, O Caiaphas!
D.A. "The
tall form of Judas was now seen pressing through the startled
throng. His face was pale and haggard, and great drops of sweat
stood on his forehead. Rushing to the throne of judgment, he
threw down before the high priest the pieces of silver that had
been the price of his Lord's betrayal. Eagerly grasping the robe
of Caiaphas, he implored him to release Jesus declaring that
He had done nothing worthy of death. Caiaphas angrily shook him
off, but was confused, and knew not what to say....
Judas: "I
have sinned,", again cried Judas, "in that I have betrayed
the innocent blood.
D.A.: But the
high priest, regaining his self possession, answered with scorn,
Caiaphas: "What
is that to us? see thou to that.
D.A.: Judas
now cast himself at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him to be
the Son of God, and entreating Him to deliver Himself. ...Jesus
spoke no words of condemnation. He looked pityingly upon Judas,
and said,
Jesus: For this
hour came I into the world.
D.A.: A murmur
of surprise ran through the assembly. With amazement they beheld
the forbearance of Christ toward His betrayer. Again there swept
over them the conviction that this Man was more than mortal.
But if He was the Son of God, they questioned, why did He not
free Himself from His bonds and triumph over His accusers?
Judas saw that his entreaties were in vain, and he rushed from
the hall exclaiming,
Judas: It is
too late! It is too late!
And he cast
down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went
and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces,
and said,
Priest: it is
not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the
price of blood.
And they took
counsel and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers
in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto
this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy
the prophet, saying,
Jeremy: And
they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that
was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And
gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
And as soon
as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests
and the scribes came together, and led him into their council,
saying,
Caiaphas: Art
thou the Christ? tell us.
And he said
unto them,
Jesus: If I
tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will
not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man
sit on the right hand of the power of God.
Then said they
all,
Caiaphas: Art
thou then the Son of God?
And he said
unto them,
Jesus: Ye say
that I am.
And they said,
Priest: What
need we of any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of
his own mouth.
And the whole
multitude of them arose, when they had bound him, they led him
away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Pilate
then went out unto them, and said,
Pilate: What
accusation bring ye against this man?
Caiaphas: They
answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would
not have delivered him up unto thee.
Pilate: Then
said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to
your law.
Caiaphas: The
Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put
any man to death:
That the saying
of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what
death he should die. And they began to accuse him, saying,
Caiaphas: We
found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give
tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
Then Pilate
entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said
unto him,
Pilate: Art
thou the King of the Jews?
Jesus: Jesus
answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others
tell it thee of me?
Pilate: Pilate
answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests
have delivered thee unto me: what has thou done?
Jesus: Jesus
answered My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were
of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not
be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Pilate: Pilate
therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then?
Jesus: Jesus
answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born,
and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear
witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth
my voice.
Pilate saith
unto him,
Pilate: What
is truth?...
- ...and when
he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews and saith unto
them,
Pilate: I find
in him no fault at all.
And they were
the more fierce, saying,
Caiaphas: He
stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning
from Galilee to this place.
When Pilate
heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean. And
as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction,
he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that
time.
And when Herod
saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see
him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him;
and he hoped no have seen some miracle done by him.
D.A. At the
command of the king, the decrepit and maimed were then called
in, and Christ was ordered to prove His claims by working a miracle.
Herod: "Men
say that Thou canst heal the sick, said Herod. I am anxious to
see that Thy widespread fame has not been belied.
Jesus did not
respond, and Herod still continued to urge:
Herod: If Thou
canst work miracles for others, work them now for Thine own good,
and it will serve Thee a good purpose....Show us a sign that
Thou hast the power with which rumor hath accredited Thee.
But Christ was
as one who heard and saw not. Herod promised that if Christ would
perform some miracles in his presence, He should be released.
Christ's accusers had seen with their own eyes the mighty works
wrought by His power. They had heard Him command the grave to
give up its dead. They had seen the dead come forth obedient
to His voice. Fear seized them lest He should now work a miracle.
Of all things they most dreaded an exhibition of His power. Such
a manifestation would prove a deathblow to their plans, and would
perhaps cost them their lives. Again the priests and rulers,
in great anxiety, urged their accusations against Him. Raising
their voices, they declared,
Priests: He
is a traitor, a blasphemer. He works His miracles through the
power given Him by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils.
The hall became
a scene of confusion, some crying one thing and some another.
Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him
nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently
accused him.
...[Herod] ...now
threatened Jesus, declaring repeatedly that he had power to release
or to condemn Him. But no sign from Jesus gave evidence that
He heard a word. ...Christ's silence was the severest rebuke
that He could have given. ...Not a word had the Majesty of heaven
for him. That ear that had ever been open to human woe, had no
room for Herod's commands. Those eyes that had ever rested upon
the penitent sinner in pitying, forgiving love had no look to
bestow upon Herod. Those lips that had uttered the most impressive
truth, that in tones of tenderest entreaty had pleaded with the
most sinful and the most degraded, were closed to the haughty
king who felt no need of a Savior.
Herod's face
grew dark with passion. Turning to the multitude, he angrily
denounce Jesus as an impostor. Then to Christ he said,
Herod: If you
will give no evidence of Your claims, I will deliver You up to
the soldiers and the people. They may succeed in making You speak.
If You are an impostor, death at their hands is only what you
merit.; if You are the Son of God, save Yourself by working a
miracle.
No sooner were
these words spoken than a rush was made for Christ. Like wild
beasts, the crowd darted upon their prey. Jesus was dragged this
way and that, Herod joining the mob in seeking to humiliate the
Son of God. Had not the Roman soldiers interposed, and forced
back the maddened throng, the Savior would have been torn in
pieces.
"And Herod
with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed
him in a gorgeous robe." The Roman soldiers joined in this
abuse. All that these wicked, corrupt soldiers, helped on by
Herod and the Jewish dignitaries, could instigate was heaped
upon the Savior. Yet His divine patience failed not.
and [Herod]
sent him again to Pilate.
Pilate was disappointed and much displeased. When the Jews returned
with their prisoner, he asked impatiently what they would have
him do. He reminded them that he had already examined Jesus,
and found no fault in Him; he told them that they had brought
complaints against Him, but they had not been able to prove a
single charge. He had sent Jesus to Herod, ...but he also had
found in Him nothing worthy of death.
"I will
therefore chastise Him and release Him."
D.A.: [But]
even now Pilate was not left to act blindly. A message from God
warned him from the deed he was about to commit. In answer to
Christ's prayer, the wife of Pilate had been visited by an angel
from heaven, and in a dream she had beheld the Savior and conversed
with Him. ...as she looked upon Jesus in her dream, she had no
doubt of His character or mission. She knew Him to be the Prince
of God. She saw Him on trial in the judgment hall. She saw the
hands tightly bound as the hands of a criminal. She saw Herod
and his soldiers doing their dreadful work. She heard the priests
and rulers, filled with envy and malice, madly accusing. She
heard the words, "We have a law, and by our law He ought
to die." She saw Pilate give Jesus to the scourging, after
he had declared, "I find no fault in Him." She heard
the condemnation pronounced by Pilate, and saw him give Christ
up to His murderers. She saw the cross uplifted on Calvary. She
saw the earth wrapped in darkness, and heard the mysterious cry,
"It is finished." Still another scene met her gaze.
She saw Christ seated upon the great white cloud, while the earth
reeled in space, and His murderers fled from the presence of
His glory. With a cry of horror she awoke, and at once wrote
to Pilate words of warning.
While Pilate
was hesitating as to what he should do, a messenger pressed through
the crowd, and handed him the letter from his wife, which read:
Wife: Have thou
nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things
this day in a dream because of him.
End of Sample
To order this script you
can CLICK HERE
Or you can donate by check
to:
Orion's Gate
c/o P.O. Box 430
Dobbins, 95935
California, USA
Or, you can phone me toll free at 866 467- 4667 and we can have the fun of
getting acquainted while we do a credit card transaction.
Or you can use one of the two services below:
. 
Thank you very much for coming to visit.
Yours in Christ,
Jim Pappas
Writer/producer
|