16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Prsetorium ; and they call together the whole band.
17 And they clothed him with pur- ple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews ! I
ly And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped \ him.
20 And when they had mocked him, they took oif the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
•j1 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out or' the country, the Father of Alexan- der and Kufus, to bear his cross.
22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being inter- preted, the place of a skull.
23 Aud they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it no .
21 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, cast-
The passage we have now read, is one of those which show us the infinite love of Christ toward sinners. The sufferings described in it would fill our minds wi th mingled horror and compassion, if they had been inflicted on one who was only a man like ourselves. But when we reflect
ing lots upon them, what every man should take.
25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27 And with him they crucify two thieves ; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
28 And the Scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the trangressors.
29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou" that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
31 Likewise also the Chief Priests mocking said among themselves with the Scribes, He sa\ ed others; himself he cannot >ave.
32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.