Crucifying Jesus

Luke 23:24-38

As governor of Judea under the Roman Empire, Pilate’s main job was to keep the Jews from breaking away. If it was necessary to kill someone to accomplish that, He was expected to do what was needed. He had struggled with his conscience about allowing Jesus to be killed, but concluded that the only way to defuse the situation was to allow the Jews to do as they pleased. Reluctantly, he carried out what he saw as his primary duty.

“And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will. And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.” (Luke 23:24-26)

It was standard Roman practice for the condemned man to carry his cross as a further humiliation before he was executed. John 19:17 indicates that Jesus started out carrying his cross. “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:” Tradition has it that Jesus was so exhausted he fell, and the Romans pressed Simon into service to carry it for him. Scripture does not indicate such a fall. The cross would have been heavy enough that two men would have been required to carry it the distance described, and rather than assign a soldier to help carry it they impressed Simon. They probably did the same for each of the two thieves, as history indicates that was standard practice.

“And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” (Luke 23:27-31)

History shows that people are a blood thirsty lot, flocking to public executions in every society. We’d like to think we are too sophisticated, yet people crowd in to watch a fight, whether officially organized or just between two high school kids. That same fascination with violence drew a huge multitude to witness the crucifixion. Some who came were demanding his death, while others were bemoaning it.

After more than thirty hours without rest, numerous beatings and three separate hearings we would expect Jesus to be mentally and emotionally exhausted, but he still had enough concern for others to turn to those who were weeping over his execution and warn them that what was happening to him was only a small taste of what would happen to Jerusalem in the future. Not only would Jerusalem be destroyed by the Romans in just a few years, but Revelation 6 tells us a far worse destruction will occur when the Lord returns, primarily as a consequence of Israel’s actions that day.

“And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” (Luke 23:32-33)

Contrary to Jewish custom, Jesus was crucified and not stoned. He was executed contrary to both Jewish and Roman law, along side real criminals, even though he was found not guilty. In the process he was mocked and abused. Numerous prophecies had predicted these things. Isaiah 53:7-9, for example, describes the abuse and the travesty of his trials, as well as being sentenced to death with criminals and being buried in a rich man’s grave, because he hadn’t done the crimes he was accused of. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”

The fact that he fulfilled more than 1200 prophecies is proof that he is, in fact, the Messiah, the very Son of God. It is because he was so undeservedly punished that he is able to pay the penalty we so richly deserved.

It seems unfathomable why the Jews would be so determined to have Jesus killed, until you consider their reasoning, as described in John 11:47-50. “Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” They were convinced that the only way to prevent a Roman attack and total destruction was by having him killed.

Pilate was convinced that to allow Jesus to live might force him to fight the Jews. Neither side understood what John 11:51-52 makes very clear. “And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” Jesus death would not only save the Jews, but people around the world. Jesus understood this, and thus could ask for their forgiveness, even as they were deciding who would get his clothing.

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)

With no understanding of what was really happening, the people stand enjoying the spectacle of an execution, The mob, including the rulers make fun of him and defy him to save himself after raising others from the dead if he is the Messiah as he claims to be.

“And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.” (Luke 23:35)

The Roman soldiers were nor just following orders, but were active participants in the mockery and abuse. The historic reason for hating the Jews, that they killed Jesus, is clearly not true. Pilate, and the Roman soldiers were equally guilty.

“And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.” (Luke 23:36-37)

In a final effort to absolve himself of guilt in Jesus’ death, Pilate refused to list the charge against Jesus as claiming to be the king of the Jews, saying that he was the king. By doing so, he reminded the Jews they were a tributary, because the Romans had killed their king. It also justified his action to the Roman government.

“And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Luke 23:38)