24
So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded.
25
As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.
26
As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
27
A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women.
28
But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29
For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’
30
People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’
31
For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry? ”
32
Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him.
33
When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.