32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. 33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. 35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36 And sitting down they watched him there; 37 And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. (Matthew 27:32-44 KJV)
The Crucifixion
Jesus was taken outside to be crucified. They forced Simon of Cyrene to carry his cross (Matthew 27:32). At first, Christ likely carried it himself, like Isaac carrying the wood for his own sacrifice. This was meant to cause both pain and shame. Later, they took the cross off him, perhaps because the load was too heavy, or because he couldn’t move quickly enough, or because they feared he might collapse and die before they could crucify him. Even the mercies of the wicked are cruel. So they compelled Simon—likely by the governor’s or priests’ authority—to carry it. No one would do it willingly.
Some think Simon was a disciple or sympathizer and was targeted for that reason. All who wish to be true disciples must follow Christ, bearing his cross (Matthew 16:24), sharing in his reproach (Hebrews 13:13). We must know the fellowship of his sufferings and willingly endure whatever suffering we face for him. Only those who suffer with him will reign with him; those who share in his cup and baptism will sit with him in his kingdom.
They came to a place called Golgotha, near Jerusalem, likely the common place of execution (Mt 27:33) where criminals were executed and Jesus was crucified there. Golgotha means “the place of a skull,” possibly because it was a charnel house, where bones and skulls were gathered to avoid ritual defilement. There, where death had triumphed over many, Christ triumphed over death itself by dying on its own ground.
They crucified him there—nailing his hands and feet to the cross and raising it up (Mt 27:35). As we consider the agony he endured, we should be moved to look upon the one who was pierced and mourn. Was ever sorrow like his sorrow? His death shows the depth of his love.
They gave him a drink before nailing him to the cross (Mt 27:34), a customary act meant to dull pain, as Proverbs suggests for the perishing (Pr 31:6–7). But instead of wine, they gave him vinegar mixed with gall to make it bitter. This symbolized man’s sin. The sinner may enjoy sin as sweet, but to God it is grapes of gall (De 29:18; De 32:32). It also symbolize God’s wrath, like the bitter water that brought a curse (Nu 5:18). When Jesus was given the drink, he tasted it but refused to drink, choosing to fully experience pain as our High Priest, without dulling the suffering.
They stripped him of his garments and divided them (Mt 27:35), fulfilling prophecy—“They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing” (Ps 22:18). Just as sin made us naked, he was stripped to clothe us with garments of salvation. Four soldiers were involved in crucifying Christ, and they each needed a share: his upper garment, if divided, would be useless, so they cast lots for it. Whatever their intent—whether superstition, greed, or mockery—the word of God was fulfilled.
They now sat down and watched him (Mt 27:36). The chief priests likely arranged this guard to prevent any rescue attempt by the people. But providence ordered that those appointed to watch him would become witnesses for him, having seen and heard what led them to confess (Mt 27:54), “Truly this was the Son of God.”
Above Jesus’ head, Pilate had this inscription written: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Mt 27:37). Though meant to mock, it honored him. It alleged no crime—only that he was Jesus, the expected Messiah. God used Pilate to proclaim the truth, as Balaam once blessed instead of cursing. Christ was publicly declared a King, even in death.
Two thieves were crucified with him, one on each side (Mt 27:38). This fulfilled the prophecy, “He was numbered with the transgressors” (Isa 53:12). Though sinless, he died among sinners, as if he were one of them. He bore their shame so that we might share his glory. Crucified in the middle, as if the worst, he alone bore the punishment for sin. None of his disciples died with him, to show that only he paid our debt.
He was mocked and blasphemed while on the cross, though the thieves were not. One might expect compassion for the dying, but he received only scorn. The people who passed by reviled him, unmoved by his suffering. They wagged their heads in triumph, as foretold (Ps 22:7; Ps 109:25), and mocked him for saying he would destroy and rebuild the temple. They misunderstood and used his words to condemn him, not realizing that through his death, the true temple was being raised.
They mocked his claim to be the Son of God: “If you are, come down from the cross” (Mt 27:40). Echoing Satan’s temptation (Mt 4:3, 6), they demanded a sign, ignoring the many he had already given. Judging by sight, they forgot the power he had shown and the resurrection he had foretold.
The chief priests, scribes, and elders also mocked him (Mt 27:41). Instead of being in the temple for the feast, they jeered at Christ. Their hatred overshadowed reason. If they dared to scorn him, we need not fear to honor him.
They said, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself” (Mt 27:42). But he chose not to save himself so he could save us. They expected a Messiah with worldly power, and the cross seemed a contradiction. Yet without the cross, there is no salvation. Many want a Christ without suffering, but the cross and Christ are inseparable. If he had come down from the cross, where would we be? His love kept him there, for our sake.