Dicit eis Pilatus: "Regem ves-cify him. Pilate saith to them:

The hour of the Crucifixion is supposed to have been a little before noon. S. Mark says (xv. 25): "It was the third hour." S. John says here sentence was given "about the sixth hour."

Various modes of reconciliation have been invented which it

would be prolix to describe. The third hour was running into the sixth and S. John says about the sixth. This about gave latitude; but then, S. John speaks of the sentence and not of the Crucifixion.

Cardinal Mai, so thoroughly acquainted with the uncial MSS., found a solution, which has recommended itself to nearly all modern commentators. The letter T (gamma) represented 3, and the letter F (digamma) represented 6. As the digamma dropped out of the Greek alphabet a Σ was introduced to represent 6. A copyist could easily mistake a г for a F or a pip of ink would make the difference. There are several MSS. of S. John which have the third hour, and none of S. Mark which have the sixth; hence modern writers conclude that an error has crept in here, and that it ought to be read the third.

1Thou art not Cæsar's friend.-This was their last threat. Pilate knew how easily the Emperors received complaints against their officers. Pilate's hands were in nowise clean. That slaughter of the Galileans and some peculations could be alleged against him.

Maketh himself a King.-There was truth in this and Pilate had already called Our Lord a King. If he let Him go it would be admitting His title.

3Brought Jesus forth.-He was decided at once to do evil through fear of losing his place and position.

4Lithostrotos.-The governors carried the slabs for the erection of these thrones with them through the provinces. It means a stone throne.

Parasceve.-The preparation or eve of the great Sabbath or Saturday within the paschal week.

"The sixth hour.-This would be near twelve o'clock. The sentence is supposed to have been given at nine of our time.

"Behold YOUR KING.-This said in contempt and rage.

8 Shall I crucify YOUR KING.-The bitter irony of this! He even put it on the cross and would not change it.

"We have no King but Cæsar.-They were tired enough of Cæsar's yoke; but they now make a profession of loyalty.

10 Delivered Him to them to be crucified. Thus ended the resolution of Pilate.

Our Divine Lord carrying His Cross to the place of His Crucifixion and the accompanying sufferings are as familiar to us as if we had been present at them. The Via dolorosa is not long.

Calvary was only a short mile from the place of Our Lord's condemnation.

There are some who think the Cross was strapped on to Him in some transverse fashion; but there is no evidence of importance to do away with the traditional mode in which He is represented as carrying His Cross.

S. John passes over the assistance of Simon, and would leave us under the impression that, when Our Lord had a little rest, He took the Cross again and came to Calvary with it on.

Calvary, which was outside the walls of Jerusalem at the time of Our Lord's Crucifixion, is inside the city now. The town built itself out in that direction in the course of time. The spot, to be sure, is marked by a church.

1His own Cross-Culprits generally carried their crosses and the instruments wherewith they were to be executed.

2Golgotha. This was a patois word, but it signified the place of a skull. 3One on each side, and Jesus in the midst.-The other Evangelists mention the position of the thieves; and S. John goes to the further trouble of mentioning Our Lord's place.

A title. This was a board with rough letters painted on it telling the passers-by the reason of the execution.

"KING OF THE JEWS.-Pilate continues his malicious revenge against the Jews in the manufacture or composition of the title.

In Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin.-An old French savan thinks that the three languages were written in Roman letters. The specimen half blotted, but left to us, is in Greek letters, written from right to left, ΣΥΟΝΕΡΑΖΑΝ.

'Chief priests.-They did not perceive the deep sarcasm of Pilate's oft repeated title being now visible to every passing stranger, and wanted it changed.

He said I am.-Post Him as a liar, seemed the drift of their last insult to Our Saviour.

Ο γέγραφα, γέγραφα. Quod scripsi scripsi. This short and terse answer, cutting both in Greek and Latin, comes out poorly in English. I wrote it, how dare you ask me to change it?

There is a realism about these two verses which is rarely found among the sacred writers. The four Evangelists remark the fulfilment of Psalm xxi. 19: "They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lots," but only S. John seems to have given the sad and picturesque details of the operation.

Our Lord took off His garments before ascending, as some have it, or lying down upon the Cross on which He was Crucified. When the four men (so we infer from the division) who had performed the work, looked for their perquisites in His clothes, they found them difficult to arrange. The cloak (as all the cloaks of Jewish rabbis) was a square piece of cloth of ample size with