The sun was directly overhead as the cross was placed upon Jesus' mutilated back. He had been awake now for thirty hours, and had not eaten or drank since the Seder Meal the day before. He had been badly beaten and lost a great deal of blood. A crown of thorns had been pressed on his head, piercing his skin and causing more blood to run into his swollen eyes. The muscles of his back and shoulders were torn and almost useless. The pain was maddening.
His blood pressure was dangerously low and the effects of shock were taking hold as he began the long walk to Golgotha dragging the heavy weight of the cross. Many times he stumbled as his body began to shut down. He fell again and again under the weight driving his knees into the stone street, ripping the flesh and bruising the bone. On he pushed until he could no longer bear the weight. As the crowd jeered a man was made to carry the cross as Jesus, barely able to walk, followed.
When they arrived on Golgotha the cross was laid on the ground . The cloths were ripped off of Jesus and naked he was laid on the cross. Iron spikes were driven through his hands ripping flesh, nerves, and tendons. Likewise, spikes were driven through his feet. Then the great cross was stood upright and allowed to slide into the hole provided for its support. When it hit bottom the bone shattering jar pulled his shoulders from their sockets and dislocated his elbows.
As he hung there on the cross, the soldiers divided his clothing and cast lots for them. Jesus began to pray, reciting the twenty-second psalm; "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?". Shock had shut down his body, it became hard to breath. His blood pressure was critically low. He had lost so much blood his heart began to falter. With his last breath he looked toward heaven and proclaimed "It is finished". His head bowed and the spirit left his battered body.
A soldier looked up and saw that he had died. He stuck his spear into Jesus' side to confirm that he was dead and then ordered his body be taken down. His body was taken and quickly laid in a tomb before the sun set, beginning the Sabbath. Guards were placed at the tomb because the priests still feared him even in death.