21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. 22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. 29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. (Mark 15:21-32 KJV)
The Crucifixion
When Jesus was led like a lamb to the crucified, to prevent him from dying under the weight of the cross before they could inflict further cruelty, they forced Simon of Cyrene to carry it for him. Simon happened to pass by, coming in from the countryside. Crosses often come upon us suddenly. The cross was a heavy, awkward burden, but the one who bore it for a few minutes had the honor of having his name recorded in God’s word, though he was otherwise unknown. Wherever this gospel is preached, this will be remembered of him. Likewise, though no suffering seems joyful at the moment but is painful, it will afterward bring a crown of glory to those trained by it.
The place where he was taken to be crucified was called Golgotha—the place of a skull—because it was the common site of execution. He was numbered with the transgressors in every way. An ancient tradition, though not necessarily credible, claims that Adam was buried there and that Christ’s blood trickled down upon his skull—signifying that as in Adam all die, so in Christ all are made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22). A more plausible tradition holds that Calvary was the mountain in the land of Moriah where Isaac was to be offered, and the ram was sacrificed in his place. Abraham, seeing that day by faith, called the place Jehovah-Jireh—The Lord will provide—expecting that it would be seen in the mount of the Lord (Genesis 22:14).
He was crucified at the third hour (Mark 15:25), which is about nine in the morning. He had been brought before Pilate at the sixth hour by Roman time, about six in the morning (John 19:14). Some believe the third hour is mentioned to highlight the wickedness of the priests, who should have been in the temple offering sacrifices on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Instead of leading worship, they were venting their hatred against Christ. These were the same men who pretended zeal for the temple but condemned Christ for allegedly speaking against it. Many claim to support the church who rarely attend it.
When Jesus was nailed to the cross, they added to his shame in several ways.
It was customary to give wine to those about to be executed, but they mixed his with myrrh, making it bitter and nauseating. He tasted it but would not drink it—he was willing to endure the bitterness, but not to dull the suffering (Mark 15:23).
The soldiers cast lots for his garments (Mark 15:24), making a game of his pain, as they sat and entertained themselves while he hung in agony.
They set up a sign over his head, intending to mock him but actually proclaiming the truth: “The King of the Jews” (Mark 15:26). Perhaps Pilate meant to mock both Christ as a failed king and the Jews as a people deserving such a one. Yet God used it to declare Christ’s kingship, even in death. Christ crucified is King of his Church—his spiritual Israel. Even on the cross, he conquered his enemies and triumphed over them (Colossians 2:15). He was writing his law in his own blood and preparing blessings for his people. Whenever we look to Christ crucified, we must remember that he is King and submit ourselves to him as his loyal subjects.
Two criminals were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left (Mark 15:27), placing him in the center as if he were the worst. This not only dishonored him but added to his suffering. Many believers imprisoned for Christ’s sake have found the company of blasphemers more distressing than their chains. Our Lord, who had often associated with sinners to save them, now died among them for the same reason. He came into the world and left it to save sinners—even the worst. This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that he would be numbered with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).
Most of the onlookers added to his suffering by insulting him. Even those merely passing by hurled abuse at him (Mark 15:29). If their hearts were too hard to feel compassion, they could have at least held their tongues. But they mocked him cruelly, saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross.” They thought that now he was on the cross, he could no longer threaten the temple. Yet he was in fact fulfilling his own words, for he was the true temple, which would be raised in three days (John 2:19-21). The temple they loved was destroyed not long after, just as he had warned. When secure sinners think danger is past, it is often near at hand. The day of the Lord comes like a thief upon those who deny or defy his coming.
Even the chief priests mocked him (Mark 15:31), though they were supposed to be compassionate to the suffering (Hebrews 5:1-2). They said, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself.” They challenged him to come down from the cross so they might believe. Yet they had already refused to believe the greater sign—his resurrection. These priests might have had better things to do—if not temple duties, at least offering spiritual support to the dying. But they had no interest in that.
Even those crucified with him insulted him (Mark 15:32). One of them mocked him, so hardened in sin that even in the face of death and eternity, he showed no repentance.