23. But they were insistent and urgent, demanding with loud cries that He should be crucified. And their voices prevailed (accomplished their purpose).
24. And Pilate gave sentence, that what they asked should be done.
25. So he released the man who had been thrown into prison for riot and murder, for whom they continued to ask, but Jesus he delivered up to be done with as they willed.
26. And as they led Him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross and made him carry it behind Jesus.
27. And there accompanied [Jesus] a great multitude of the people, [including] women who bewailed and lamented Him.
28. But Jesus, turning toward them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29. For behold, the days are coming during which they will say, Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the breasts that have never nursed [babies]!
30. Then they will begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us! and to the hills, Cover (conceal, hide) us!
31. For if they do these things when the timber is green, what will happen when it is dry?
32. Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be executed with Him. [Isa. 53:12.]