The crucifixion account consists of three parts: (1) the journey to the place of crucifixion (vv. 26–31), (2) the crucifixion (vv. 32–38), and (3) the story of the two crucified criminals (vv. 39–43). Although most of this material comes from Mark 15:21–32, much of it appears only in Luke (vv. 27–32, 33b, 39b–43); consequently, many commentators think that the evangelist had access to another account of the crucifixion story.

23:26–31 Verse 26 describes how Simon from Cyrene is made to carry Jesus’ cross. This detail is derived from Mark’s account, but the rest of Luke’s paragraph consists of yet one other unique Lucan oracle of doom pronounced against Jerusalem (see 13:31–35; 19:41–44; 21:20–24). Jesus describes part of the horror that will come upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The day…