Crucifixion

Monday, April 25, 2022

32-34 Along the way, they came on a man from Cyrene named Simon and made him carry Jesus’ cross. Arriving at Golgotha, the place they call “Skull Hill,” they offered him a mild painkiller (a mixture of wine and myrrh), but when he tasted it, he wouldn’t drink it.

35-40 After they had finished nailing him to the cross and were waiting for him to die, they killed time by throwing dice for his clothes. Above his head, they had posted the criminal charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews. Along with him, they also crucified two criminals, one to his right, the other to his left. People passing along the road jeered, shaking their heads in mock lament: “You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you’re really God’s Son, come down from that cross!”

-Matthew 27:32-40 The Message

The Crucifixion

Verse 32: As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.

Verse 32 study: Condemned prisoners had to carry their own cross to the execution site. Jesus was weak from his beatings and couldn’t hold his cross. Simon, who was a bystander, helped him. Simon was from Cyrene in Northern Africa and was one of the Jews visiting Jerusalem for the Passover.

Verse 33: And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull),

Verse 34: they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.

Verse 33 study: “Golgotha,” aka skull, gets its name from its appearance, according to scholars. Golgotha was a regular place for execution in a prominent public area outside the city where executions held there would serve as a deterrent to criminals.

Verse 34 study: Gall is a drink to help with pain, but Jesus refused to drink it. Jesus suffered consciousness with a clear mind.

Verse 35: And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.

Verse 35 study: The soldiers took the clothing of anyone getting crucified. They divided Jesus’ clothing for themselves. This fulfilled the prophecy made by David. Psalm 22 parallels Jesus’ crucifixion.

Verse 36: Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.

Verse 37: And over his head, they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Verse 38: Then, two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.

Verse 39: And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads

Verse 40: and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

Verse 40 study: The accusation used against Jesus was during history by the Council. Jesus was in the process of fulfilling his own prophecy. Jesus is the Son of God, who always obey the will of the Father. He didn’t come down from the cross.