and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.
17. He went forth to a place. The circumstances which are here related contribute greatly, not only to show the truth of the narrative, but likewise to build up our faith. We must look for righteousness through the satisfaction made by Christ.
We have here sentence of death passed upon our Lord Jesus, and execution done soon after. A mighty struggle Pilate had had within him between his convictions and his corruptions; but at length his convictions yielded, and his corruptions prevailed, the fear of man having a greater power over him than the fear of God. I. Pilate gave judgment against Christ, and signed the warrant for his execution, Joh 19:16.
Commenting on John 19:16-18
And he bearing his cross,.... Which was usual for malefactors to do, as Lipsius (i) shows out of Artemidorus, and Plutarch; the former says, "the cross is like to death, and he that is to be fixed to it, first bears it;'' and the latter says, "and everyone of the malefactors that are punished in body, "carries out his own cross".'' So Christ, when he...