Roman soldiers

PER347 The various abuses and the flogging

PER347 analyzes the scourging and the abuse inflicted on Jesus in the praetorium of Pontius Pilate, on the Friday morning of the Passion. A standardized Roman practice preceding crucifixion, this punishment is accompanied by the soldiers’ mockery (crown of thorns, purple robe). The article compares the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in a synoptic approach, highlighting Roman institutional violence and the dignity Jesus retained despite the outrages.

Luke 23.13-25 (King James Version) :

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.I will therefore chastise him, and release him.(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER349 The Titulus of Pilate

Pilate's titulus is the notice placed on Jesus' cross bearing the words 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews', written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. Pilate insists on this wording despite the protest of the chief priests, thus asserting a symbolic authority after having yielded on the condemnation. This act reveals a tragic irony: the inscription publicly proclaims Jesus' kingship at the very moment of his death.

Matthew 27.32 (King James Version) :

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER350 The way to Mount Golgotha, help from Simon of Cyrene

PER350 examines Jesus’ journey to Mount Golgotha, from Pilate’s praetorium. Weakened by the scourging, Jesus can no longer carry his cross alone. Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service by the soldiers. Luke mentions weeping women in the crowd, while Matthew reports Jesus’ refusal of a drink meant to dull the pain. Mark identifies Simon as the father of Alexander and Rufus, figures known to the early Christian communities. A synopsis of Matthew, Mark and Luke sheds light on this episode, which immediately precedes the crucifixion, dated to Friday morning around 9 o’clock.

John 19.17 (King James Version) :

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER352 The Crucifixion

Pericope PER352 analyzes the crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Golgotha through the four Gospels. It places the event around 9 a.m. on a Friday morning, examines the fulfillment of prophecies (Isaiah 53,12; Psalm 22,19), the technical details of the crucifixion, the royal inscription and the mockery of the witnesses. A rigorous synoptic reading that links history, chronology and theology.

Matthew 27.38 (King James Version) :

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER353 The division of the garments and the mockery

The passage PER353 analyzes the division of Jesus’ garments and the mockery during his crucifixion at Golgotha. The four Gospels agree on this episode: the soldiers cast lots for the seamless tunic, fulfilling Psalm 22.19. Luke reports Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness for his executioners, Mark his cry of abandonment, and Matthew the taunts of the passersby and the religious leaders. This synoptic article brings out the theological richness of each Gospel account.

Luke 23.26-49 (King James Version) :

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.And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.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.Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER357 The Death of the Messiah Jesus

Pericope PER357 analyzes the death of Jesus on the cross at Golgotha, on Friday, April 1, AD 33, around 3 p.m., drawing on the four Gospel accounts. Matthew and Mark are very close; Luke reports the last words of Jesus and the reaction of the centurion; John, a direct witness, gives details of the events after his death and their prophetic fulfillment. The article includes a precise chronology of the three days and three nights according to the Jewish calendar.

John 19.32 (King James Version) :

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

Roman soldiers

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