MATTHEW 27:32–56, THE WAY OF THE CROSS AND THE DEATH OF JESUS
THE KING WHO SAVES BY SURRENDER
Introduction
The Passion narrative reaches its climax on the Way of the Cross and at Calvary. Jesus, already scourged, mocked, and condemned, now carries the instrument of His execution. What unfolds is not merely a historical account of suffering but the decisive revelation of God’s love. The Messiah saves not by force, spectacle, or self-defense, but by obedience, silence, endurance, and total self-gift. At the cross, human cruelty and divine mercy meet, and the meaning of suffering, sacrifice, and redemption is unveiled.
Bible Passage (Matthew 27:32–56)
As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon of Cyrene; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.
And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull), they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink.
After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left.
Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!”
Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.
From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.”
But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.
And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”
There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among them Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Background
Crucifixion was the most brutal and humiliating form of execution used by the Romans, reserved for slaves, rebels, and the worst criminals. It was designed not only to kill but to shame, intimidate, and terrorize. Matthew presents Jesus’ crucifixion as the fulfillment of Scripture and the culmination of Israel’s history. The innocent One suffers in the place of sinners, and the rejected King is enthroned on a cross. What appears as defeat is, in truth, victory.
Opening Life Connection
Human instinct seeks to escape suffering and to prove innocence through power or argument. When falsely accused, mocked, or wounded, the temptation is to retaliate or withdraw. Jesus’ journey to Calvary challenges this instinct. He shows that love sometimes means carrying what we did not choose, trusting God when He feels absent, and remaining faithful even when misunderstood. The cross confronts every disciple with the question: how do I respond to suffering—my own and that of others?
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
“They met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.”
Simon is compelled, not invited. Yet his forced act becomes a moment of grace. He represents every disciple unexpectedly drawn into sharing Christ’s burden. Carrying the cross with Jesus transforms suffering into participation in redemption.
“They came to a place called Golgotha.”
The “Place of the Skull” symbolizes death, finality, and fear. God chooses precisely this place to reveal life, hope, and salvation.
“They gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall… he refused.”
This drink would dull pain. Jesus refuses it, choosing to embrace suffering consciously and freely, offering His sacrifice with full awareness.
“They crucified him… and divided his garments by casting lots.”
Even in death, Jesus is stripped of everything. This fulfills Scripture and reveals His total self-emptying. He holds nothing back.
“This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”
What was meant as mockery becomes proclamation. Jesus reigns from the cross, not by domination, but by love.
“Those passing by reviled him.”
Mockery comes from all sides: strangers, leaders, criminals. Jesus endures rejection without defending Himself.
“He saved others; he cannot save himself.”
This statement unknowingly reveals the truth. Jesus cannot save Himself precisely because He chooses to save others.
“From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land.”
Creation itself reacts. Darkness signifies judgment, mourning, and the weight of sin borne by Christ.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus prays Psalm 22. He enters the deepest human experience of abandonment, yet still addresses God as “My God,” clinging to trust amid anguish.
“Jesus cried out again… and gave up his spirit.”
His death is not taken from Him; it is given. This is an act of obedience and love, not despair.
“The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two.”
The barrier between God and humanity is removed. Access to God is now open through Christ’s sacrifice.
“Truly, this was the Son of God!”
A pagan centurion becomes the first to proclaim Jesus’ divine identity at the cross. Faith is born where death seemed victorious.
“There were many women there.”
While most disciples fled, the women remain. Silent, faithful presence becomes true discipleship at the foot of the cross.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
Crucifixion outside the city fulfilled the pattern of sin offerings burned beyond the camp. Darkness recalled prophetic signs of the Day of the Lord. Tearing the Temple veil symbolized the end of the old sacrificial system and the beginning of a new covenant mediated by Christ.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church teaches that Christ’s death on the cross is the one perfect sacrifice, sufficient for the salvation of all. Every Mass makes this sacrifice present sacramentally. The cross reveals both the gravity of sin and the greater power of divine mercy.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Many saints learned holiness by uniting their sufferings with Christ crucified. They discovered that endurance in love, not escape from pain, is the path to transformation.
Application to Christian Life Today
The cross invites believers to carry their daily burdens with faith, to assist others like Simon of Cyrene, to remain faithful like the women, and to trust God even in moments of darkness. It calls Christians to reject violence, revenge, and despair, choosing instead forgiveness and hope.
Eucharistic Connection
The Body broken and Blood poured out on Calvary are the same Body and Blood given in the Eucharist. Each Mass draws us to the foot of the cross, where Christ continues to offer Himself for the life of the world.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Accept the crosses you did not choose and carry them with Christ.
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Do not mock or abandon the suffering; stand near them in faith.
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Trust God even when He feels distant.
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Believe that apparent defeat can become the place of greatest grace.
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Let the cross shape your response to suffering, injustice, and love.
Outline for Preachers
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Simon of Cyrene: sharing Christ’s burden
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Golgotha: the place of death transformed into salvation
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Mockery and misunderstanding of the Messiah
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Jesus’ silence and obedience
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Darkness and the cry of abandonment
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The tearing of the veil: access to God restored
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Confession of faith by the centurion
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Faithful presence of the women
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The cross as the throne of the true King
