« | Mark 15 | » |
1 Very early in the morning, the leading priests, the older leaders, the teachers of the law, and all the Jewish council decided what to do with Jesus. They tied him, led him away, and turned him over to Pilate, the governor.
2 Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Those are your words."
3 The leading priests accused Jesus of many things.
4 So Pilate asked Jesus another question, "You can see that they are accusing you of many things. Aren't you going to answer?"
5 But Jesus still said nothing, so Pilate was very surprised.
6 Every year at the time of the Passover the governor would free one prisoner whom the people chose.
7 At that time, there was a man named Barabbas in prison who was a rebel and had committed murder during a riot.
8 The crowd came to Pilate and began to ask him to free a prisoner as he always did.
9 So Pilate asked them, "Do you want me to free the king of the Jews?"
10 Pilate knew that the leading priests had turned Jesus in to him because they were jealous.
11 But the leading priests had persuaded the people to ask Pilate to free Barabbas, not Jesus.
12 Then Pilate asked the crowd again, "So what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?"
13 They shouted, "Crucify him!"
14 Pilate asked, "Why? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted even louder, "Crucify him!"
15 Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he freed Barabbas for them. After having Jesus beaten with whips, he handed Jesus over to the soldiers to be crucified.
16 The soldiers took Jesus into the governor's palace (called the Praetorium) and called all the other soldiers together.
17 They put a purple robe on Jesus and used thorny branches to make a crown for his head.
18 They began to call out to him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
19 The soldiers beat Jesus on the head many times with a stick. They spit on him and made fun of him by bowing on their knees and worshiping him.
20 After they finished, the soldiers took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him out of the palace to be crucified.
21 A man named Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was coming from the fields to the city. The soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus.
22 They led Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means the Place of the Skull.
23 The soldiers tried to give Jesus wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he refused.
24 The soldiers crucified Jesus and divided his clothes among themselves, throwing lots to decide what each soldier would get.
25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified Jesus.
26 There was a sign with this charge against Jesus written on it: the king of the jews.
27 They also put two robbers on crosses beside Jesus, one on the right, and the other on the left.
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.