Matthew 27:32-44, The Crucifixion

32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull),34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 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.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Comments

The Romans practiced the punishment of crucifixion in Palestine from the first century BC on for political rebels and violent criminals. They carried it out with maximum publicity to deter others. As the vertical cross piece already stood in place outside the city walls, Jesus carried the heavy cross-beam by himself. For a man who had been scourged and beaten, it proved impossible, so they conscripted Simon to help him.

Upon the cross, the soldiers offered wine as a narcotic to reduce the pain of crucifixion. Psalm 22 (which you can read after the prayer) prophesized the dividing of garments, the casting of lots, and the derision of the people.

Ironically, the charge against Jesus on the cross proclaims the truth and his kingship achieved through his death. At Golgotha he was crucified between common thieves or political insurgents. Matthew probably saw Isaiah 53:12 being fulfilled. Ultimately, Jesus was rejected by everyone.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who for our redemption willedst to be born, and on the cross to die the most shameful of deaths, do thou by thy death and passion deliver us from all sins and penalties, and by the holy cross bring us, miserable sinners, to that place where thou livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.

Pope Innocent III, c. 1161-1216