Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. (Luke 23:44–46, NKJV)

Friday morning, as the first light was appearing, the arresting mob took Jesus to the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin (Luke 22:66–71). Jesus said little during this trial. But Jesus surely knew the power of the words He spoke. The Sanhedrin’s response, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth” (vv. 71), evidences the meaning of Jesus’ humble affirmation that He is “the Christ, the chosen of God” (Luke 23:35).

Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing (Luke 23:8–9, NKJV)

On Friday morning,“the multitude” took Jesus to Pilate. In Jewish tradition, the 24-hour day begins at sundown and continues through the night into the morning, ending at twilight the following day. So, by Jewish reckoning, this was not a new “day,” but the morning of the 15th of Nisan and a continuation of the Passover day.¹