In the New Testament, the Roman soldiers play a significant role in the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. These soldiers were part of the Roman military presence in Judea, tasked with maintaining order and executing the sentences of the Roman authorities.

Mocking and Scourging of Jesus

Before the crucifixion, Jesus was subjected to mocking and scourging by the Roman soldiers. After His trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, Jesus was handed over to be flogged. The soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, where they gathered the whole company around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it on His head. They placed a staff in His right hand and knelt before Him in mockery, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" (Matthew 27:27-29). They spat on Him, took the staff, and struck Him on the head repeatedly.

The Crucifixion

The soldiers were responsible for leading Jesus to Golgotha, the place of crucifixion. As they led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross behind Jesus (Luke 23:26). Upon arrival at Golgotha, the soldiers crucified Jesus, driving nails through His hands and feet, and then casting lots to divide His garments among themselves (Matthew 27:35).

The Inscription and the Mockery

Above Jesus' head, the soldiers placed the written charge against Him: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews" (Matthew 27:37). This inscription was intended to mock Jesus' claim to kingship and served as a warning to others. The soldiers, along with others present, continued to mock Jesus as He hung on the cross, challenging Him to save Himself if He truly was the Son of God (Matthew 27:39-44).

The Death of Jesus

As Jesus neared death, the soldiers witnessed several miraculous events. Darkness fell over the land from the sixth to the ninth hour, and at the moment of Jesus' death, the earth shook, rocks split, and tombs broke open (Matthew 27:45, 51-52). These events led the centurion and those with him to exclaim, "Truly this was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54).

The Piercing of Jesus' Side

To ensure Jesus was dead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water (John 19:34). This act fulfilled the prophecy that not one of His bones would be broken (John 19:36), and it confirmed His death before the Sabbath began.

Guarding the Tomb

After Jesus' death, the chief priests and Pharisees requested that Pilate secure the tomb to prevent His disciples from stealing the body and claiming He had risen. Pilate granted them a guard of soldiers to seal the tomb and set a watch (Matthew 27:62-66). Despite their efforts, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, an event that the soldiers could not prevent.

The role of the Roman soldiers in the crucifixion of Jesus highlights the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and underscores the sovereignty of God in the redemptive plan through Christ's sacrificial death.Matthew 27:27,31-37
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered to him the whole band of soldiers.
Nave's Topical Index

Mark 15:16-24
And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
Nave's Topical Index

John 19:23,24
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
Nave's Topical Index

Jesus Condemned to be Crucified.
... devouring their victim with their eyes, the soldiers standing coldly ... did in these
words: 'I condemn Jesus of Nazareth ... King of the Jews, to be crucified;' and he ...
/.../chapter xxix jesus condemned to.htm

And when Pilate Heard this Saying, He Took Jesus Out...
... [28] [3573] And the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments,
and cast lots for them in four parts, to every party of the soldiers a part ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section li and when pilate.htm

And when Jesus was Scourged, He Delivered Him to the Jews to be ...
... he delivered Him to the Jews to be crucified, and two ... And Jesus said: Father, forgive
them, for they know not ... And the soldiers parted His garments among them. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 10 and when jesus.htm

Jesus is Crucified by his Enemies
... The soldiers led Jesus to the courtyard of the governor's ... his own clothes, and led
him out to be crucified. ... So they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus is crucified by his.htm

The Crucifixion.
... The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made
four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat: now the coat was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the crucifixion.htm

The Crucifixion.
... ii.8). Ignorance mitigates, but does not excuse, crime.] ^b 24 And they crucify
him, ^d 23 The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 2.htm

John Chapter xix. 17-22.
... to have cried out before Pilate, "Crucify, crucify him" (verse 6), that it not only
may be seen that the former crucified Jesus, namely, the soldiers who hung ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxvii john chapter xix.htm

An Eye-Witness's Account of the Crucifixion
... Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments, and made four
parts, to every soldier a part; and also His coat: now the coat was without ...
/.../an eye-witnesss account of the.htm

The Crucifixion and the Resurrection
... Then the soldiers crucified two thieves, and put them near Jesus, one on each side;
and they nailed up some white boards at the top of the crosses with black ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter xii the crucifixion and.htm

Jesus Crucified
... Oh come and let us mourn with her; [187]JESUS, our Love, is crucified! Have we no
tears to shed for Him,. While soldiers scoff and Jews deride? Ah! ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccccvii jesus crucified.htm

Who was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus say “Father, forgive them” on the cross? | GotQuestions.org

What is the sword of the Spirit? | GotQuestions.org

Soldiers: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus