"And there followed Him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for Him. But turning to them Jesus said, 'Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming...
"And as they led Him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus."(Luke 23:26 ESV) Imagine what it must have been like to be Simon. There you are, coming into the city from the country,...
"But they all cried out together, 'Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas'—a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. They kept shouting, 'Crucify, crucify Him!' A third time he said to them, 'Why? What evil...
"And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led Him away and delivered Him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked Him, 'Are You the King of the Jews?' And He answered him,...
Want to be strong? Then we need to admit we are weak
"And a young man followed Him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked." (Mark 14:51-52 ESV)Who was the young man? Some people think it is Mark himself, as he is the only one who even mentions...
"And some began to spit on Him and to cover His face and to strike Him, saying to Him, 'Prophesy!' And the guards received Him with blows." (Mark 14:65 ESV)It sounds a bit weird. Why were people saying, "Prophesy!" to Jesus when they were hitting Him? If we look at...
"Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, 'You brought me this Man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining Him before you, behold, I did not find this Man guilty of any of your charges against...
"When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see Him ... So he questioned Him at some length, but He made no answer. ... And Herod with his soldiers treated Him with contempt and mocked Him. Then, arraying Him in splendid clothing, he sent Him...
"[Then the religious leaders] began to accuse Him, saying, 'We found this Man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is Christ, a king.' And Pilate asked Him, 'Are You the King of the Jews?' And He answered him,...