Jesus' robe was removed, his clothes were returned, and he was marched outside the city called Golgotha, carrying the large wooden cross to which his hands would be nailed. When he could no longer manage the weight of his cross a man named Simon of Cyrene was recruited to carry it.

When they reached Golgotha, Jesus was offered an anesthetic, which he tasted but refused to take. Then he and two criminals were crucified.

Roman citizens were exempt from crucifixion. Nails were driven through the wrist, pinning the prisoner to the crossbar; the crossbar was then raised and reattached to the upright beam, after which the feet would be nailed upright through the heels. Death would come fairly quickly in no other support was provided for. Unable to raise himself to take a breath, the victim would eventually die of asphyxiation. With support, death could take two or three days.

Pilate had a sign prepared for Jesus' cross which read, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" (John 19:19).

As Jesus hung there, the soldiers divided up his clothing, while onlookers mocked him. One of the thieves with whom Jesus had been crucified with was contrite, pointing out that Jesus' punishment, unlike theirs, was undeserved. He asked: "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42), and Jesus promised to do so.

It took Jesus about three hours to die. As he drew his final breath, Matthew records a series of events took place throughout Jerusalem. The curtain of the temple that separated the Most Holy Place "was torn in two from top to bottom." The earth shook and rocks split. Tombs broke open, and the bodies of the righteous people who had died came alive and were seen by many people (matthew 27:50-53). A Roman soldier, responded that Jesus must have been "the Son of God".

Jesus' crucifixion took place on Friday; the next day was the Sabbath. The Jewish authorities were eager to get the bodies of the crosses and attended to before the Sabbath fell. They asked the Romans to break the legs of crucifixion victims to hasten their deaths. When the soldiers came to Jesus, they saw that Jesus was already dead so they trust a spear into Jesus' side, releasing a sudden flow of blood and water (John 19:31-37)

Seven Utterances Made By Jesus on the Cross

• Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)
• (To the thief on the cross) I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)
• (To his mother) Dear woman, here is your son. (To the apostle John) Here is your mother. (John 19:26-27)
• My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)
• I am thirsty, (John 19:28)
• It is finished. (John 19:30)
• Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. (Luke 23:46)