26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28 But Jesus turning unto them, said. Daughters of Jerusalem, weep uot for me, but weep for yourselTes, and for your children.
29 For, behold, the days are com- ing, in the which they shall sav, Bleuedare the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us ; and to the hills, Cover us.
81 For if thoy do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry ?
32 And there were also two other,
malefactors, led with him to be pat to death.
33 And when they were come to the place, whi^h is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on ;the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them ; for they know not what tney do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with themderided Atm, saying. He saved others ; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37 And saying. If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
We ought to notice, in this passage, our Lord^s words oj prophetical warning. We read that He said to the wo- men who followed Him, as He was being led away to Calvary, " Weep not for me, but for yourselves. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say. Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck."
These words must have sounded peculiarly terrible to the ears of a Jewish woman. To her it was always a a disgrace to be childless. The idea of a time coming when it would be a blessing to have no children must have been a new and tremendous thought to her mind. And yet within fifty years this prediction of Christ was literally fulfilled ! The siege of Jerusalem by the Roman army, under Titus, brought down on all the inhabitants of the city the most horrible sufferings from famine and
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