Luke 23:26–43

Simon Bears the Cross

26 aWhen they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of bCyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

27 And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were 1amourning and lamenting Him.

28 But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

29 “For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘aBlessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’

30 “Then they will begin to asay to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’

31 “For if they do these things 1when the tree is green, what will happen 2when it is dry?”

32 aTwo others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him.

The Crucifixion

33 aWhen they came to the place called 1The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

34 1But Jesus was saying, “aFather, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” bAnd they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the arulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; blet Him save Himself if this is the 1Christ of God, His Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, aoffering Him sour wine,

37 and saying, “aIf You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”

38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, “aTHIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

39 aOne of the criminals who were hanged there was 1hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the 2Christ? bSave Yourself and us!”

40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

41 “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving 1what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come 1in Your kingdom!”

43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in aParadise.”