The Sorrowful Mysteries

The First Sorrowful Mystery

The Agony in the Garden

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. (Matthew 26:36-37)
Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38)
He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” (Mark 14:35-36)
When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40-41)
Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” (Matthew 26:42)
Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. (Matthew 26:43-44)
He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. (Luke 22:44)
When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.” (Luke 22:45-46)
While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:47-48)
At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. (Mark 14:46)

The Second Sorrowful Mystery

The Scourging at the Pillar

When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. (Matthew 27:1-2)
So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33)
Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” (John 18:34-35)
Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” (John 18:36)
Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. (Mark 15:6-7)
The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!” (Matthew 27:20-21)
Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Messiah?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:22)
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:15)
Yet it was our pain that he bore,
our sufferings he endured.
We thought of him as stricken,
struck down by God and afflicted.
(Isaiah 53:4)
But he was pierced for our sins,
crushed for our iniquity.
He bore the punishment that makes us whole,
by his wounds we were healed.
(Isaiah 53:5)

The Third Sorrowful Mystery

The Crowning with Thorns

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. (Matthew 27:27)
They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. (Matthew 27:28)
Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:29)
They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. (Matthew 27:30)
Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” (John 19:4-5)
And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15:20)
He was spurned and avoided by men,
a man of suffering, knowing pain,
Like one from whom you turn your face,
spurned, and we held him in no esteem.
(Isaiah 53:3)
We had all gone astray like sheep,
all following our own way;
But the LORD laid upon him
the guilt of us all.
(Isaiah 53:6)
Though harshly treated, he submitted
and did not open his mouth;
Like a lamb led to slaughter
or a sheep silent before shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
(Isaiah 53:7)
But it was the LORD’s will to crush him with pain.
By making his life as a reparation offering,
he shall see his offspring, shall lengthen his days,
and the LORD’s will shall be accomplished through him.
(Isaiah 53:10)

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery

The Carrying of the Cross

So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. (John 19:16b-17)
As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. (Luke 23:27)
Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’” (Luke 23:28-29)
“At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:30-31)
Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. (Luke 23:32)
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:24)
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9:25)
Because of his anguish he shall see the light;
because of his knowledge he shall be content;
My servant, the just one, shall justify the many,
their iniquity he shall bear.
(Isaiah 53:11)

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery

The Crucifixion

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. (Luke 23:33)
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34a)
After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. (Matthew 27:35-36)
The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” (Mark 15:26)
Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!” (Matthew 27:39-40)
At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:33-34)
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19:26-27)
After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” (John 19:28)
There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. (John 19:29-30)
When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39)

The First Sorrowful Mystery

The Agony in the Garden

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. (Matthew 26:36-37)
Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” (Matthew 26:38)
He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” (Mark 14:35-36)
When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40-41)
Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” (Matthew 26:42)
Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. (Matthew 26:43-44)
He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. (Luke 22:44)
When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.” (Luke 22:45-46)
While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:47-48)
At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. (Mark 14:46)

The Second Sorrowful Mystery

The Scourging at the Pillar

When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. (Matthew 27:1-2)
So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33)
Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” (John 18:34-35)
Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” (John 18:36)
Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. (Mark 15:6-7)
The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!” (Matthew 27:20-21)
Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Messiah?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” (Matthew 27:22)
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:15)
Yet it was our pain that he bore,
our sufferings he endured.
We thought of him as stricken,
struck down by God and afflicted.
(Isaiah 53:4)
But he was pierced for our sins,
crushed for our iniquity.
He bore the punishment that makes us whole,
by his wounds we were healed.
(Isaiah 53:5)

The Third Sorrowful Mystery

The Crowning with Thorns

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. (Matthew 27:27)
They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. (Matthew 27:28)
Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:29)
They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. (Matthew 27:30)
Once more Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” (John 19:4-5)
And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15:20)
He was spurned and avoided by men,
a man of suffering, knowing pain,
Like one from whom you turn your face,
spurned, and we held him in no esteem.
(Isaiah 53:3)
We had all gone astray like sheep,
all following our own way;
But the LORD laid upon him
the guilt of us all.
(Isaiah 53:6)
Though harshly treated, he submitted
and did not open his mouth;
Like a lamb led to slaughter
or a sheep silent before shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
(Isaiah 53:7)
But it was the LORD’s will to crush him with pain.
By making his life as a reparation offering,
he shall see his offspring, shall lengthen his days,
and the LORD’s will shall be accomplished through him.
(Isaiah 53:10)

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery

The Carrying of the Cross

So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. (John 19:16b-17)
As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)
A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. (Luke 23:27)
Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’” (Luke 23:28-29)
“At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:30-31)
Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed. (Luke 23:32)
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:24)
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9:25)
Because of his anguish he shall see the light;
because of his knowledge he shall be content;
My servant, the just one, shall justify the many,
their iniquity he shall bear.
(Isaiah 53:11)

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery

The Crucifixion

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. (Luke 23:33)
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34a)
After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. (Matthew 27:35-36)
The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” (Mark 15:26)
Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!” (Matthew 27:39-40)
At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:33-34)
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19:26-27)
After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” (John 19:28)
There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit. (John 19:29-30)
When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39)