Page 539 - Bible History

512 RIST REDEEMS THE WORLD
taken away from them. They could try a man, and if they found him guilty of some o ense that was worthy of death, the Roman governor would pronounce sen­ tence and see that it was carried out in the Roman way.
At a sign from Pilate, the soldiers led Jesus away. First, they took the purple cloak from His shoulders. His body was bruised and torn and bleeding from the cruel scourging. With rough hands they clothed Him again with His own garments and, setting a cross on His shoulders, led Him away to be cruci ed.
The sad procession wended its way from the Pre­ torium, through the crowded streets, toward one of the gates of the city. Once there, it would follow the road that led to a low hill, called Golgotha, or the Skull, so called because its rounded, barren shape gave it the appearance of a human skull. It was on this hill, also known as Calvary, that cruci xions took place.
Two other unfortunate men were to be put to death that day. They were thieves, who had been found guilty of robbery. Four Roman soldiers walked by the side of each prisoner. They carried the nails and the tools that would be used in the cruci xion, and they had orders to stand guard near the cross until the victim was dead and to prevent anyone from trying to rescue him. At the head of the procession, rode a cen­ turion, carrying the boards upon which was written the name of each condemned man and the crime which he had committed. From time to time, as they went along, the centurion would, in a loud voice, proclaim this information to the crowds that lined the streets.