Soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross to let him suffer before a gawking and mocking mob. A stranger, Simon of Cyrene, was forced to carry Jesus' cross because the Lord's friends had all forsaken him. The soldiers beat, mocked, and scourged Jesus. The crowds who gathered before the Roman governor, Pilate, called for Jesus' crucifixion and the release of a terrorist named Barabbas. The Jewish religious leaders had requested his execution after having arranged for his betrayal and arrest with Judas, one of Jesus' apostles. Officially, the Roman government executed Jesus on a cross.
And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take (Mark 15:21-24).
And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
