Scene 23: Jesus is placed on the cross (Station 11)

He was placed between two criminals

It was the sixth hour when they crucified him. Jesus looked out at those nearby and said, "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing."

It was not yet noon and with him they crucified two thieves, one on his right and one on his left.
Pilate had written out a proclamation, which he put on the cross; it ran, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.’
This proclamation was read by many of the Jews, since the place where Jesus was crucified was close to the city; it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

One of his left

Hearing the crowd rebuking Jesus, Gestas, one of the criminals hanging with him also abused him, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and then save us too!"
But Dysmas, the other criminal, had been watching Jesus and was filled with remorse, "Have you no fear of God? It is true we were sentenced as we deserved and are paying for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong. Oh Jesus, please remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus looked on Dysmas with love and said, "Truly I promise you, this day you will be with me in paradise."

And one on his right

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother Mary, John his beloved disciple, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas and Mary of Magdalene. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son."
Jesus then turned to John and said, "Behold, this is your mother."

From that hour the disciple took her into his own keeping.

Woman, behold your son.