A vast multitude followed Jesus from the judgment hall to Calvary. The news of His condemnation had spread throughout Jerusalem, and people of all classes and all ranks flocked toward the place of crucifixion. The priests and rulers had been bound by a promise not to molest Christ's followers if He Himself were delivered to them, and the disciples and believers from the city and the surrounding region joined the throng that followed the Saviour. As Jesus passed the gate of Pilate's court, the cross which had been prepared for Barabbas was laid upon His bruised and bleeding shoulders. Two companions of Barabbas were to suffer death at the same time with Jesus, and upon them also crosses were placed. The Saviour's burden 742 was too heavy for Him in His weak and suffering condition. Since the Passover supper with His disciples, He had taken neither food nor drink. He had agonized in the garden of Gethsemane in conflict with satanic agencies. He had endured the anguish of the betrayal, and had seen His disciples forsake Him and flee. He had been taken to Annas, then to Caiaphas, and then to Pilate. From Pilate He had been sent to Herod, then sent again to Pilate. From insult to renewed insult, from mockery to mockery, twice tortured by the scourge,--all that night there had been scene after scene of a character to try the soul of man to the uttermost. Christ had not failed. He had spoken no word but that tended to glorify God. All through the disgraceful farce of a trial He had borne Himself with firmness and dignity. But when after the second scourging the cross was laid upon Him, human nature could bear no more. He fell fainting beneath the burden.

En stor skare fulgte Jesus fra domhuset til Golgata. Meddelelsen om hans domfældelse havde spredt sig i hele Jerusalem, og mennesker af alle samfundsklasser og alle slags strømmede ud til det sted, hvor han skulle korsfæstes. Præsterne og rådsherrerne havde været bundet af et løfte om ikke at forulempe Kristi disciple, hvis han selv blev udleveret til dem, og disciplene og de troende fra byen og hele omegnen sluttede sig til skaren, der fulgte Frelseren. Da Jesus kom forbi indgangsporten til Pilatus borg, blev det kors, der var tiltænkt Barabbas, lagt på hans blødende og forslåede skuldre. To af Barabbas medskyldige skulle lide døden samtidig med Jesus, og også på dem blev der lagt kors. Frelserens byrde var alt for tung for ham at bære, så svag og lidende som han var. Siden påskemåltidet sammen med disciplene havde han hverken fået mad eller drikke. Han havde i Getsemane have været i strid med djævelske kræfter. Han havde båret lidelsen ved at blive forrådt og havde set sine disciple svigte ham og flygte. Han var blevet ført til Annas og derefter til Kajfas og så til Pilatus. Fra Pilatus var han blevet sendt til Herodes og derfra atter til Pilatus. Fra krænkelser til nye krænkelser, fra hånsord til hånsord, to gange pint med at blive pisket, hele natten igennem var der sket begivenhed efter begivenhed, der var af en art, som til det yderste var prøvende for et menneskes sjæl. Kristus havde ikke svigtet. Han havde ikke sagt et ord, der ikke tjente til at herliggøre Gud. Under hele denne skændige farceagtige retshandling havde han optrådt med styrke og værdighed. Men da korset efter den anden hudstrygning blev lagt på ham, kunne hans menneskenatur ikke udholde mere. Han segnede besvimet om under byrden.