The multitude took Jesus to Pilate, accusing Him of "perverting the nation" and discouraging the people from paying taxes to Caesar, which were absolute lies. They also said that Jesus claimed to be Christ, "A" King, as opposed to THE King. Thence, Pilate asked Jesus if He was King of the Jews, and Jesus said: "It is as you say."
Pilate was not threatened by Jesus and found no fault in Him, but the religious rulers were relentless. When Pilate learned that Jesus was a Galilean, he sent Jesus to Herod, hoping to relinquish himself of such judgment. Herod was glad to meet Jesus because he had heard much about Him, hoping Jesus would perform a miracle, but Jesus would not answer any of Herod's questions. Instead, Herod mocked Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate decked in a "gorgeous robe." From then on, Herod and Pilate were good buddies.
Back in Pilate's hands, he explained to the religious rulers that he found no fault in Jesus concerning the issues they had accused Him of, and neither did Herod. He was not deserving of the death penalty. Pilate said the most he would do was chastise Jesus and let Him go. But the rulers threw a tantrum and asked for Barabbas, a murderer and a man who actually incited upheavals and rebellions. But I digress.
Again Pilate tried, but the people shouted: "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Pilate asked, "Why? What evil has He done?" Again they insisted, and Pilate did not want a riot on his hands. Therefore, he sentenced Jesus to death, as they had demanded, and released the real rebel.
Leading Jesus away, they had Simon bear Jesus' cross. A multitude of women followed and cried out to Him, but Jesus told them, "Daughters of Jerusalem (as a message directly to Jerusalem), do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren...!' Then they will begin to say to the mountain, 'Fall on us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' "
Then they crucified Jesus. The soldiers divided His garments, cast lots, and mocked Him, while people stood looking on. Even the rulers mocked Him: "He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." They also added an inscription over Him, in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS, kind of mocking the Jewish nation, as well.
Two criminals were nailed to crosses, one on either side of Jesus. One of the criminals blasphemed Jesus and told Him to save Himself and them. But the other criminal rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? We are indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom. Therefore, Jesus assured him that "...today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Then there was darkness over the earth and the veil of the temple was torn in two. Jesus cried out, "Father, into You hands I commit My spirit," and breathed His last breath.
Joseph, a council member of the Sanhedrin, asked Pilate for the body of Christ, took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a new tomb in the rock. The women had watched and observed where He was laid, returned to prepare spices for His body for the next day, but first they rested on the Sabbath.
COMMENTARY
The religious rulers knew they could not convince the Roman governor Pilate to punish Jesus with death for breaking Mosaic Law; therefore, they accused Him of treason against Rome. But even Pilate did not buy it.
Regarding the women whom Jesus called "Daughters of Jerusalem": Jesus did not want their (or our) sympathy; He wanted their (and our) faith. Instead, He warned of the coming Tribulation when it will be better for one to not have children, particularly for Jerusalem.
The sign above Jesus on the cross is actually accurate because the Hebrew represented religion, the Greek represented knowledge, and the Latin represented the law. When Jesus returns to set up His kingdom, He will truly be our political ruler, educational ruler, and spiritual ruler of the world. Forever.
About the thieves on the cross: both were arrested, tried, and punished for theft. There was no difference. Both were not fit to live, according to Roman law. But one thief had faith to believe that the Lord Jesus would set up a kingdom, after His death. Whether he understood that before the cross or figured it out while hanging there for a few hours...the point is, that day, he believed and the other did not. And he was saved and changed immediately.
Notice that Jesus GAVE UP His life (His spirit). He did not struggle to death; He yielded His spirit to God.
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| The Crucifixion - Fra Angelico, 1423 |