THE CROWD THAT GATHERED AROUND THE CROSS
“And sitting down they watched Him there.” Matthew 27:36 KJV
I. THE ROMAN SOLDIERS: “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.” Matthew 27:27-31 (Also read Matthew 27:33-35)
II. THE CURIOSITY SEEKERS: “And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross." Matthew 27:27-31
III. THE CHIEF PRIESTS, SCRIBES AND ELDERS: “Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ’I am the Son of God.’ " Matthew 27:41-43
IV. OUR FIRST LOOK AT THE TWO THIEVES: ”Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.” Matthew 27:44
V. THE WOMEN AFAR OFF: “And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar.” Matthew 27:55
VI. OUR SECOND LOOK AT THE TWO THIEVES:
”Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:39-43
