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Crucifixion was designed to inflict as much lingering agony as possible. This one was carried out at Skull-place, Golgotha, whose location is not certainly known but whose name probably derived from its topography (vv.17-28).
There was an interesting altercation between Pilate and the Jews (vv.19-22). He ordered a placard attached to the cross, written in the three chief languages of the region. The caption affirmed Jesus' true status better than Pilate could have known. The Jews, who undoubtedly thought it false, were nevertheless stung. They asked for an alteration in the wording that would make the caption less an apparent affirmation and more an accusation of blasphemy. But Pilate, who had already been forced to concede the main point, would not be goaded further, and he refused.
Two events of interest took place at the foot of the cross. One involved the soldiers performing the execution (vv.23-24). It was up to them to decide what to do with the clothing of the crucified. In their decision to cast lots for Jesus' undergarment rather than cut it apart, the Evangelist recognized a connection with Ps 22:18. The other involved a compassionate transferal of care for his bereaved mother into the hands of the disciple whom Jesus loved (vv.25-27; cf. 13:23-26; 20:1-10; 21:1-14, 20-24). His request was complied with forthwith.
Two matters of importance also took place on the cross (vv.28-37). The first was Jesus' recognition that he had accomplished his work in full. This is stated in so many words by the Evangelist and was illustrated by the Lord’s cry of triumph (v.30). Adam Clarke stressed the significance of this cry as the consummation of the work of salvation (p. 653). The other is the fact that everything that happened was a fulfillment of Scripture and therefore according to God’s will: Jesus' thirst (v.28; cf. Ps 69:21), the unbroken bones of the perfect paschal sacrifice (v.36; cf. Ex 12:46; Nu 9:12; Ps 34:20), and the sword thrust (v.37; cf. Zec 12:10). The events on Golgotha were reported by an eyewitness (v.35). The lavish burial by a secret disciple, Joseph of Arimathea, assisted by Nicodemus (vv.38-42; cf. 3:1; 7:50) was according to Jewish custom.