At the place which is called Calvary, our Lord was crucified, and on
the cross with him hung two thieves, one on each side. The soldiers
divided his clothes among them, casting lots which should have them. He
prayed for them all; he said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not
what they do.” The people and the rulers stood about him, looking at
him and mocking. They said, “He saved others, let him save himself if
he is Christ, the chosen one of God.” And the soldiers also mocked him,
offering him vinegar to drink, and saying to him, “If you are the king
of the Jews, save yourself.” Then they wrote on a tablet in Greek, and
in Latin, and in Hebrew, “This is the King of the Jews,” and hung it
over the cross. One of the thieves joined in the mocking, saying, “If
you are Christ, save yourself and us;” but the other thief reproved him,
asking him if he did not fear God, since they were suffering the same
punishment. “They,” he said, “deserved their punishment, but the other
had done nothing wrong.” Then he spoke directly to Jesus: he said, “Lord,
remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” And instantly Jesus
answered him in these words, “Verily I say unto you, To-day shalt thou
dwell with me in Paradise.” These things happened about twelve o’clock.
From that time until three o’clock the earth was dark; the sun hid away.
When Jesus cried out with a loud voice, he said, “It is finished;” and
then, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit;” and having said this,
he died. Just then the veil which had always hidden the inner temple
split in two from top to bottom.
[Illustration: THE CRUCIFIXION.—John xix. 25.]