Mark 15:21-32, The Crucifixion

[Although not sanctioned under Jewish law, crucifixion was a common sight in Palestine from the first century BC on. It was a Roman punishment used especially for political rebels and violent criminals, carried out with maximum publicity to deter others.]

²¹ And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene [an important city of Libya that had a large Jewish population, meaning Simon was very likely Jewish], who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus [see Romans 16:13], to carry his cross. [The vertical piece was already in place, so all that was carried was the 40 pound cross-beam, which was heavy by itself, especially for a man who had already been scourged and beaten.] ²² And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). ²³ And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. [It was a narcotic to reduce the pain of crucifixion. See Psalm 69:21.] ²⁴ And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. [The executioner’s squad took the possessions of the victim—in this case an under and out garment, a belt, sandals, and a head covering.] ²⁵ And it was the third hour [9:00 am] when they crucified him. ²⁶ And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” [Jesus was crucified for claiming to be the King of the Jews.] ²⁷ And with him they crucified two robbers [common thieves? or more likely political insurgents as was meant when Josephus used this word], one on his right and one on his left. [The earlier and more reliable manuscripts do not include verse 28 that later ones had.] ²⁹ And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads [Psalm 22:7 echo and Lamentations 2:15] and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days [have the people heard the charge against Jesus?], ³⁰ save yourself, and come down from the cross!” ³¹ So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. ³² Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. [Jesus is rejected by everyone.]