Flagellation of Christ

The mob, lead by the high priests, is not satisfied with just a flogging. The governor bends to their will and Jesus is condemned to die on the cross. The phrase ‘to wash one’s hands of something’ goes back to this moment, as Pilate washes his hands in a public act, distancing himself from the sentence and placing Jesus’ fate in the hands of the people.

On the far right we see Jesus with the cross on the way to Golgotha. He encounters Simon of Cyrene, who helps carry the cross part of the way.

Both the Roman practice of crucifixion and the public walk there are historically accurate. However the condemned would only have to carry the bar of the cross, since the post would already be in position at the place of execution.