The Crucifixion of Jesus

ESPN

Reranking the 32 men's teams left in March Madness

And then there were just 32. How do these teams stack up against each other after surviving the first round? [...]

Your guide to March Madness Day 2: Recaps, every winner's chance to advance, more

ESPN's reporters on-site across the country detail how each game was won Friday, plus look ahead to Sunday. [...]

Florida starts title defense with 59-point pounding

Florida began its national title defense with the second-largest victory margin in NCAA tournament history, pounding Prairie View A&M 114-55 on Friday night. [...]

Reed in rare air with 31-27 night as UConn escapes

Tarris Reed Jr. had one of the most dominant performances in tournament history, posting 31 points and 27 rebounds on Friday night to help No. 2 seed UConn stave off [...]

Miami (OH)'s run ends in blowout loss to Vols

Ja'Kobi Gillespie hit six 3-pointers and scored 29 points as sixth-seeded Tennessee ended a fabulous season for Miami (Ohio) with a 78-56 win Friday in the first round of the [...]

The Crucifixion of Jesus

Johnny Rodriguez Published: April 8, 2023 | Updated: April 8, 2023 2 min read

Who Is Simon of Cyrene?

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about the man, but we do know Cyrene was a coastal city located in northern Africa in eastern Libya. Simon’s sons Alexander and Rufus were clearly known by those reading Mark’s.

The Death of Jesus

From noon until three o’clock it was dark over all the land. About three o’ clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “My God, My God, why have You left Me alone?”

When some of those who stood by heard that, they said, “This Man is calling for Elijah.” At once one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it with sour wine. He put it on a stick and gave it to Him to drink. The others said, “Let Him alone. Let us see if Elijah will come and save Him.” Then Jesus gave another loud cry and gave up His spirit and died.

Carrying Jesus Cross And Crucifixion

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).

There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews.

Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

Mounting On Faith with Johnny Rodriguez