22. A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong? I have found in Him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him.”
23. But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices won out.
24. So Pilate decided to grant their demand
25. and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.
26. As they led Him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.
27. A large crowd of people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him.
28. But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children.
29. Look, the days are coming when they will say, ‘The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate! ’
30. Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us! ’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us! ’
31. For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry? ”
32. Two others — criminals — were also led away to be executed with Him.
33. When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.
34. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided His clothes and cast lots.
35. The people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing: “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One! ”
36. The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine