"THE WAY TO THE CROSS"
Notes
Transcript
Parallel Gospel Accounts -
Matthew 27:31-34 - make a couple of observations -
Mark 15:20-23 - make a couple of observations -
Luke 23:26-33a - make a couple of observations -
John 19:16b-17 - make a couple of observations -
Proposition - As we look to our text we are going to learn about about four things: 1) the preparation for the crucifixion, 2) the path for the crucifixion, 3) the pain for the crucifixion, and 4) the prophecy of the crucifixion.
Interrogative question - How is the crucifixion affecting your daily life?
Mt 27:32 They forced this man to carry His cross: It was customary for the convicted criminal to bear his own cross as a testimony of guilt.
Mk 15:21 a Cyrenian: Simon was from Cyrene, a city on the African coast. He may have been a Jew of the Diaspora (one living outside the land of Israel) visiting Jerusalem for the Passover. Alexander and Rufus were possibly known by Mark’s original readers. They could confirm Mark’s account of Jesus’ passion based on the testimony of their father.
Lk 23:28 weep for yourselves: This was not a sad day for Jesus but for those who had rejected Him, because the judgment of the nation would come.
Mt 27:33 Golgotha: In Latin this was Calvariae locum, thus our familiar word Calvary.
Mt 27:34 wine mixed with gall: A narcotic sedative that drugged the victim. Jesus would not receive it; He faced the redemption of mankind with senses intact.
Lk 23:31 what will happen when it is dry: If green wood suffers in such a manner (referring to Himself as a crucifixion victim), then what will happen with dead wood (those who rejected Him, victims of Roman might in AD 70)? Lemke, S. W. (2007). The Academic Use of Gospel Harmonies. In Holman Christian Standard Bible: Harmony of the Gospels (pp. 207–208). Holman Bible Publishers.
1. The preparation for the crucifixion - vs. 31
1. The preparation for the crucifixion - vs. 31
31 After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.
What has been taking place?
How have they been treating Jesus?
Why crucifixion?
The most notable feature of crucifixion was the stigma of disgrace that was attached to it (Gal. 3:13; 5:11; Heb. 12:2). One indignity was the humiliation of carrying one’s own cross, which might weigh as much as 200 pounds. Normally a quaternion, 4 soldiers, would escort the prisoner through the crowds to the place of crucifixion. A placard bearing the indictment would be hung around the person’s neck. MacArthur, J., Jr., ed. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1448). Word Pub.
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—
11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2. The path for the crucifixion - vs. 32
2. The path for the crucifixion - vs. 32
32 As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.
Who is Simon?
Do you think he was a believer?
Why was he walking down where Jesus was heading?
27:32 Crucifixion victims normally carried the cross’s (Gk) patibulum (crossbeam) to the execution site. Having lost much blood, Jesus was too weak to carry it beyond the city walls. The soldiers impressed (see note at 5:41) Simon, a Cyrenian, to carry the beam the rest of the way. Simon’s sons were later known in the early church (Mk 15:21). This suggests that Simon became a disciple of Jesus. Cyrene was situated near the Mediterranean coast in northern Africa. Simon was probably an ethnic Jew visiting Jerusalem for the Passover (Ac 6:9). Quarles, C. L. (2017). Matthew. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (p. 1551). Holman Bible Publishers.
27:32 Cyrene. A city in N Africa. Evidently the scourging had so weakened Jesus that He was unable to carry the cross. This is another touching picture of His humanity, beset with all human weaknesses except sin (Heb 4:15). MacArthur, J., Jr., ed. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1448). Word Pub.
3. The pain for the crucifixion - vs. 33
3. The pain for the crucifixion - vs. 33
33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull,
What do you know about Golgotha?
Why do you think this location?
27:33 Golgotha. Transliteration of the Aramaic word for “skull.” It may have been given this name because it was a place of execution, or because the area had a number of tombs, or possibly because the site in some way resembled a skull Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1886). Crossway Bibles.
27:33 Place of a Skull. “Golgotha” may have been a skull-shaped hill, or it may have been so named because as a place of crucifixion, it accumulated skulls. None of the gospels mention a hill. Luke 23:33 uses the name “Calvary,” from the Lat., calvaria, “skull.” MacArthur, J., Jr., ed. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1449). Word Pub.
4. The prophecy of the crucifixion - vs. 34
4. The prophecy of the crucifixion - vs. 34
34 they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.
Why do you think that Jesus refused the drink?
Is this a fulfilled prophecy? why or why not?
15:23 Mark’s phrase “mixed with myrrh” is more specific than Matthew’s “mixed with gall” (Mt 27:34). The Greek term Matthew used (chole) means “a bitter substance,” which Mark specified as myrrh. Matthew used “gall” to link the crucifixion to Ps 69:21. Cabal, T., Brand, C. O., Clendenen, E. R., Copan, P., Moreland, J. P., & Powell, D. (2007). The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (p. 1500). Holman Bible Publishers.
Gall” simply refers to something bitter. Mark 15:23 identifies it as myrrh, a narcotic. The Jews had a custom, based on Prov. 31:6, of administering a pain-deadening medication mixed with wine to victims of crucifixion, in order to deaden the pain. Tasting what it was, Christ, though thirsty, “would not drink,” lest it dull His senses before He completed His work. The lessening of physical pain would probably not have diminished the efficacy of His atoning work (see notes on 26:38, 39). But He needed His full mental faculties for the hours yet to come. It was necessary for Him to be awake and fully conscious, for example, to minister to the dying thief (Luke 23:43). MacArthur, J., Jr., ed. (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1449). Word Pub.
SO WHAT??
How is the crucifixion affecting your daily life?
