The Saviour made no murmur of complaint. His face remained calm and serene, but great drops of sweat stood upon His brow. There was no pitying hand to wipe the death dew from His face, nor words of sympathy and unchanging fidelity to stay His human heart. While the soldiers were doing their fearful work, Jesus prayed for His enemies, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." His mind passed from His own suffering to the sin of His persecutors, and the terrible retribution that would be theirs. No curses were called down upon the soldiers who were handling Him so roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon the priests and rulers, who were gloating over the accomplishment of their purpose. Christ pitied them in their ignorance and guilt. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness,--"for they know not what they do."

Fra Frelseren lød der ikke en eneste klage. Hans ansigt blev ved med at være roligt og afklaret, men sveden perlede i store dråber på hans pande. Der var ingen medlidende hånd, som kunne tørre dødens dug bort fra hans ansigt, og ingen deltagende eller usvigeligt trofaste ord, der kunne trøste hans menneskehjerte. Medens soldaterne udførte deres skrækkelige arbejde, bad Jesus for sine fjender: "Fader! tilgiv dem; thi de ved ikke, hvad de gør." Hans tanker vandrede fra hans egen lidelse til hans bødlers synd og den forfærdelige gengældelse, der ville ramme dem. Ingen forbandelser blev nedkaldt over soldaterne, som behandlede ham så grusomt. Ingen hævn blev udtalt over præsterne og rådsherrerne, der hoverede over at se deres planer lykkes. Han fremåndede kun en bøn om, at de måtte finde tilgivelse "thi de ved ikke, hvad de gør".