230 The Crucifixion

Matthew 27:3350; Mark 15:2237; Luke 23:3246; John 19:1737
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him. Luke 23:33

Jesus was taken to a hill called Golgotha or Calvary to be crucified. Roman soldiers nailed His hands and feet to a cross and raised it between two thieves who were also crucified. (See Matthew 27:3335, Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:22, Mark 15:27; Luke 23:33; John 19:1718.)

As the Roman soldiers finished their awful task, Jesus prayed with great mercy, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

The guards and the soldiers made fun of Jesus. Some said, "If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself" (Luke 23:37). The leaders of the Jews cried aloud, "He saved others; himself he cannot save" (Matthew 27:42; see also Mark 15:31). They said they would believe He was the Messiah if He would come down from the cross. People passing by called out, "If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross" (Matthew 27:40; see also Matthew 27:3943; Mark 15:2932; Luke 23:3537).

One thief hanging by Jesus said, "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us" (Luke 23:39). The other thief reminded his companion that they were being crucified justly, but Jesus had done nothing wrong. This thief said to Jesus, "Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" (Luke 23:42). Jesus answered, "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).

Jesus' mother, Mary, came to Calvary. The Apostle John was also there. Jesus looked down at His mother and said to her, "Woman, behold thy son," and to John, "Behold thy mother" (John 19:2627). Jesus wanted John to take care of Mary. John led Mary away from the cross and "took her into his own home" (John 19:27).

At noonday, about three hours after Jesus was nailed to the cross, darkness spread across the land (see Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:4445). About three hours later, Jesus cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, see also Mark 15:34). Jesus' suffering was almost more than He could stand. The Savior atoned for us by suffering in Gethsemane and by giving His life on the cross. Heavenly Father had to let Him do it alone. (See Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34.)

Having accomplished His mission, Jesus exclaimed, "It is finished" (John 19:30). Then He said, "Father, into thy hands I commend [give] my spirit." Jesus bowed His head and gave up His life. (See Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30.)

Summary

Jesus was taken to a place called Calvary. Roman soldiers nailed His hands and feet to a cross and raised it between two thieves. Having mercy for the soldiers, Jesus asked Heavenly Father to forgive them. Jesus hung, suffering pain, thirst, and ridicule. One of the thieves taunted Jesus, but the other defended Him. When Jesus saw that His mother, Mary, had come to Calvary, He asked the Apostle John to care for her. Later, as Jesus continued to suffer, He cried out to Heavenly Father, asking why the Father had forsaken Him. This great anguish was part of the Savior's suffering to pay for our sins. When His mission had been fulfilled, Jesus gave up His life.

Artist, Harry Anderson

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA