Wonder, O heavens, and be astonished, O earth! Behold the oppressor and the oppressed! A vast multitude enclose the Saviour of the world. Mockings and jeerings are mingled with the coarse oaths of blasphemy. His lowly birth and humble life are commented upon by unfeeling wretches. His claim to be the Son of God is ridiculed by the chief priests and elders, and vulgar jests and insulting derision are passed from lip to lip. Satan was having full control of the minds of his servants. In order to do this effectually, he commences with the chief priests and elders, and imbues them with religious frenzy. They are actuated by the same satanic spirit which moves the most vile and hardened wretches. There is a corrupt harmony in the feelings of all, from the hypocritical priests and elders down to the most debased. Christ, the precious Son of God, was led forth, and the cross was laid upon His shoulders. At every step was left blood which flowed from His wounds. Thronged by an immense crowd of bitter enemies and unfeeling spectators, He is led away to the crucifixion. “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.” {2T 207.2}

Forundrer jer, I himle og forbavses, du jord! Se undertrykkeren og den undertrykte! En stor skare omslutter verdens frelser. Hånsord og spydigheder blandes med grove, gudsbespottelige eder. Uslinge der er blottede for følelser, gør bemærkninger om hans ringe byrd og uanselige stilling. Ypperstepræsterne og de ældste latterliggør hans påstand om at være Guds søn og tarvelig skæmt og fornærmelig spot går fra mund til mund. Satan havde fuldstændigt herredømme over sine (208) tjeneres sind. For på en virkningsfuld måde at opnå dette begynder han med ypperstepræsterne og de ældste og besjæler dem med religiøst vanvid. De drives af den samme sataniske ånd, der bevæger de sletteste og mest forhærdede niddinger. Der råder en unaturlig samstemmighed i alles følelser, fra de skinhellige ypperstepræster ned til de mest fordærvede. Kristus, Guds dyrebare søn, førtes frem og korset blev lagt på hans skuldre. Blodet, der flød fra hans sår, efterlod mærker ved hvert trin. Trængt af en skare forbitrede fjender og ufølsomme tilskuere føres han bort for at korsfæstes. »Han blev knust og bar det stille, han oplod ikke sin mund som et lam, der føres hen for at slagtes, som et får, der er stumt, når det klippes - han oplod ikke sin mund.«