The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” It’s interesting, if not surprising upon reflection, that each of the groups that...

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood...

[Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] More brackets. Just to refresh our memory: brackets indicate that a particular verse or even set of verses are not found in the earliest fragments of the gospel that we have, but were contained in later...

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And all of a sudden it’s over. All the build up, all the drama, all the suspense is over in just one sentence: “When they came to the place that is...

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. It’s another small detail, I know, but again I think very important. Jesus is led away with two others, both criminals, and he will be put to death with them. Why does this matter? Because Jesus, the one we...

A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they...