the rocks were rent: and the tombs of the dead were opened; and the veil of the temple was rent; and there was darkness from the sixth hour until the ninth. And when all these things came to pass the Jews were afraid, and said, Truly this man was righteous: and Longinus, the centurion, stood and said, Truly, this was the Son of God.[1] Others who came and saw him, smote upon their breasts for fear, and returned back again.
Now the centurion, observing all these marvels went away to Pilate and related them. And when he heard he wondered and was amazed, and through his fear and sorrow he would neither eat nor drink that day. And he gave notice, and there came to him all the council, after the darkness was passed away, and he said to the people, Ye saw how the sun was darkened, ye saw how the veil was rent. Truly, I did well in that I was not at all eager to put this good man to death. But the evil doers said to Pilate, Such a darkness is an eclipse of the sun, as it hath happened also at other times. Then say they to him, We hold the feast of unleavened bread to-morrow, and we intreat thee, since they who have been crucified still breathe, that their bones may be broken,
- ↑ The name Longinus, given to the centurion, is an addition to the earlier text, which has been altered throughout, both by additions and by omissions. This chapter especially has received all sorts of developments.
