In contrast to Mark’s gospel, the gospel of Luke spends a good deal of time asserting the innocence of Jesus in the Passion narrative. The differing stories of Jesus facing Pilate is one example. Mark makes no mention of Jesus’ guilt or innocence here, but Luke claims Pilate spoke three times to the accusing crowd, convinced of Jesus’ innocence. In Luke 23:14-15, Pilate says, “I have examined him…and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death.” This theme of innocence is also carried further in Luke’s narrative as one of the criminals hanging next to Jesus claims that while he and another criminal are being punished justly, Jesus did nothing wrong. Luke’s subtle (or not so subtle) point being that while everyone from political rulers to common criminals could see that Jesus was innocent, the Jewish religious leaders couldn’t see it. Prior to his crucifixion, Jesus hints at what  this means for Jerusalem. As he is walking to be hung on the cross, he hears women grieving. He stops and turns to them and makes a comment with prophetic, apocalyptic tones. Jesus quotes a proverb that seems to indicate that if he is to suffer death though innocent, how much more terrible is what awaits the guilty Jerusalem. This is not found in Mark, but is again part of Luke’s theme of Jesus as an innocent martyr. During his time of crucifixion, another contrast is seen between Mark and Luke. Mark’s gospel quotes Jesus on the cross and crying out grievously, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, while Luke quotes Jesus quite differently, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  Luke again takes an opportunity to portray Jesus as innocent to the end, turning the other cheek and even asking for the forgiveness of the ones crucifying him.