The Crucifixion

26 As the soldiers led him away, they took hold of Simon, a Cyrenian man who was coming in from the countryside, and they laid on him the cross, forcing him to carry it behind Jesus. 27 A great multitude of people followed along behind, including women who were mourning and lamenting for Jesus. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that have not given birth, and the breasts that have not [fn]nursed!’ 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 Now two others, who were criminals, were also being led away to be put to death with Jesus. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, the soldiers crucified him there along with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 [fn]But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Then they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 The people stood there looking on, and the rulers [fn]who were with them ridiculed him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the [fn]Christ, the Chosen One of God.” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up to him and offering him sour wine, 37 saying, “If yoʋ are the king of the Jews, save yoʋrself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him [fn]written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew letters, which read: “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who was hanging there reviled [fn]him, saying, “[fn]If yoʋ are the Christ, save yoʋrself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do yoʋ not even fear God, seeing that yoʋ are under the same condemnation? 41 The two of us are justly condemned, for we are receiving the appropriate punishment for the things we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he [fn]said to Jesus, “Remember me, Lord, when yoʋ come [fn]in yoʋr kingdom.” 43 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to yoʋ, today yoʋ will be with me in Paradise.”