John 19:19–37
19Pilate also wrote a notice and had it placed on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20Many of the Jews read this inscription because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 21Then, the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, I am King of the Jews.’”
22Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
23After the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, to every soldier a part; with the tunic remaining. Now, the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24Then, they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be!” This was to fulfil the Scripture which says:
They have divided my garments among them and for my cloak they cast lots.
And this is what the soldiers did. 25But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister (Mary [the wife] of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.
28After this, perceiving that all things were now accomplished, and so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29Now, a vessel full of sour wine had been placed there; so the soldiers put a sponge full of the sour wine on [a stick of] hyssop and held it at his mouth. 30Then, after Jesus received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is accomplished!” And he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
31Because it was the Day of Preparation, in order that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a great day), the Jews asked Pilate that the legs [of those crucified] might be broken and that they might be removed. 32Therefore, the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first who has been crucified with Jesus, then the legs of the other. 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately, blood and water came out. 35He who has seen [this] has borne witness, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, so that you may believe. 36For these things happened so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37Again, another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”
You will hear this Gospel read at The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church during Holy Week, on Great and Holy Thursday. It is followed by the Gospel reading from Mark 15:43-47.
Details
The Good Shepherd Orthodox Church, located in Clayton, Melbourne, is a living witness to the power of the Gospel and the fullness of the Christian Faith in modern, secular Australia.
About us. We are a vibrant Australian Christian community under the direction of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand & the Philippines, which is under the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. The Church of Antioch is the continuation of the Christian community founded in Antioch by the Apostles Peter (who served as its first bishop) and Paul. The Patriarchate of Antioch is the oldest of the ancient Patriarchates constituting the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.
All services are in the English language and the Service of Holy Thursday is held in the Main Chapel of the Religious Centre at Monash University, Clayton Campus, conveniently located in the centre of Melbourne’s residential population.
Parking in the University car parks is free after 7:00 pm, but please take note of all signs regarding Loading Zones, No Standing and Disabled Parking, these restrictions apply and are enforced.