“And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done?
But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.”
(Matthew 27:23)
The cross, cherished by believers as a symbol of sacrificial love and redemption, was in Christ’s time the vilest instrument of execution, reserved for society’s worst criminals. The Jews had other methods of capital punishment, such as stoning or the sword, but none were deemed torturous enough for Jesus, whom they considered a mortal enemy. To them, crucifixion carried unparalleled pain, shame, and curse, surpassing all other forms of death. Beyond its excruciating physical torment, it exposed the victim to public ridicule and shameful nakedness, designed to degrade and dehumanize. It was a punishment for those deemed subhuman, unfit for society.
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 declares, “And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God).” Paul ties this to the gospel in Galatians 3:13: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Jerome clarifies, “Christ is not accursed because he hangs, but he hangs because he is accursed.” Christ bore the curse of humanity’s sin, becoming sin itself (2 Corinthians 5:21) to redeem believers.
This curse explains why crucifixion occurred outside Jerusalem’s holy city. Jews prohibited such a brutal act within its walls, so Jesus carried his cross to Calvary (Hebrews 13:12). Romans also despised crucifixion. Cicero described it as “a most cruel and disgusting punishment…. It is a crime to put a Roman citizen in chains, it is an enormity to flog one, sheer murder to slay one; what then shall I say of crucifixion? It is impossible to find a word for such an abomination…. Let the very mention of the cross be far removed, not only from a Roman citizen’s body, but from his mind, his eyes, his ears.” Thus, the horror of the cross only amplified Christ’s suffering.
And, of course, the physical pain He endured was indescribable. Barbarous executioners stripped his blood-soaked garments, tearing battered flesh stuck to His clothes by dried blood. Spikes pierced His hands and feet, which were not only very sensitive extremities, they also bore the weight of His body, serving to stretch His wounds wider and thereby causing even greater agony. A soldier’s spear was thrust through His side to ensure death, draining any remaining blood and water (John 19:34). All this to show His enemies were not content with crucifixion’s brutality alone; they wanted to disfigure Him beyond recognition, as Isaiah prophesied: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him” (Isaiah 53:3). Psalm 22:17 adds, “I may tell all my bones,” with joints which were dislocated under such violent strain.
This scene demands meditation more than speech. Only Christ, who endured it, could fully express its reality. The cross, vile to Jews and Romans, became redemption’s instrument, turning curse into blessing. Believers now worship with hearts bowed in gratitude for the Savior who bore such shame, pain, and curse for our salvation. His obedience to death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8), forever secures our righteousness for in Christ’s endurance, eternal love triumphs. And in the vilest death, the highest victory is won. Meditation on these truths stirs awe,[1] urging us to live holy in light of such sacrifice.
Contemplations
- Disfigured for me. My sins disfigured You, Lord, at Calvary, leaving no form or beauty (Isaiah 53:2). Forgive my part in Your shame and the curse You bore and awaken in me a continual awe for Your sacrifice.
- Happy exchange. You died the worst death, Lord, in order to grant life, glory, and righteousness to those You love. Forgive me for living in such a way that dishonors this gift. And stir gratitude in my heart for Your merits that exchanged my sin’s curse for Your eternal blessing (2 Corinthians 5:21).
- Numbering my days. I cannot number my sins that caused Your gruesome death, Lord, but teach me to number my days, applying my heart to wisdom (Psalm 90:12). I confess times when I’ve lived carelessly, ignoring the cost You paid for my redemption. Root my faith in Your treasure (Matthew 13:44), that builds on the cross’s foundation.
- Rose amid thorns. As a rose among thorns (Song of Solomon 2:2), Your willingness to bear Your cross for a time (Matthew 16:24) brings conquest for eternity. I confess my desire to avoid suffering, seeking ease over triumph. Forgive my cowardice, Lord, and strengthen me to overcome sin, gaining glory’s crown through Your pain.
Prayer (adoration)
O sovereign God, You are the architect of redemption, whose love ordained the cross’s curse for salvation. I lift my heart in awe before Your cross. I adore You, Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. There is none like You in heaven or on earth, for who else would bear such shame and curse for those who deserved nothing but wrath? Your cross reveals the depth of divine love, unmeasured and unsearchable, and I cannot help but marvel at it.
I praise You for the majesty of Your obedience, that You humbled Yourself to the lowest form of death. You were mocked, beaten, scourged, pierced, and displayed to the world as if You were vile, yet in truth You were the holy, harmless, undefiled Son of God. Angels veil their faces in Your presence, yet You endured the spitting and blows of men for my sake. I adore You for such mercy.
Your name is exalted above every name, yet You allowed Your body to be crushed, Your blood to be poured out, Your glory to be hidden beneath wounds. I cannot fathom such love, but I adore You for it. The curse was mine, but You bore it. The shame was mine, but You carried it. The sword was for me, but it pierced You. All that was abominable in me was laid upon Your shoulders, and all that is righteous in You is now mine through faith.
Lord, I glorify You for the wisdom of the cross. Men call it foolishness, but it is the power of God unto salvation. The world despises it, but Your saints cling to it. I stand in awe of its mystery: that out of Your weakness came eternal strength, out of Your death eternal life, out of Your shame eternal glory. This wisdom is beyond the grasp of human reason, but I bow in worship, for I see it revealed in Your Word.
I praise You for the power of the cross to break the chains of sin. My soul was bound, but by Your wounds I am freed. My heart was condemned, but by Your blood I am justified. My life was ruined, but by Your sacrifice I am renewed. You hung outside the city gate, rejected, so that I might be brought into the heavenly city as a citizen of Zion. I adore You, my Savior, for such mercy.
Glory be to You, O Christ, for bearing the curse and shame, the sword and the nails, the mockery and the malice, all to save sinners. I adore You with all that I am, for You are worthy of eternal praise. Let my lips, my heart, my life, resound with thanksgiving to You, for You were crucified, dead, and buried, yet now You reign, risen and exalted.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Matthew 27:23:
Mark 15:25, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Galatians 2:20, Revelation 11:8
[1] “With what reverence and holy awe does he begin his meditation with that acknowledgment: O Lord my God! thou art very great! It is the joy of the saints that he who is their God is a great God.” Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 892.
