During all this time Mary, the mother of Jesus, and John had been slowly approaching the cross, and now they stood immediately below Jesus, Mary on the right, John on the left. Then Jesus beholding them, said to Mary, "Mother, behold thy son." And slowly and with difficulty turning his head to see John, Jesus added, "Son, behold thy mother."
Then Mary cried in ecstacy of love and adoration, "Even in dying thou carest still for thy mother."
And John tenderly supporting Mary, but looking above to Jesus, exclaimed, "Thy last request is sacred to me."
And then to Mary he said, "Thou my mother, I thy son."
Then Jesus in a hollow voice, cried hoarsely, "I thirst."
The centurion hearing him said, "He thirsts and calls for drink."
"Then," said Faustus, "I will reach him some at once." Then taking the reed with the sponge, he filled it with vinegar and passed it to the centurion, who, taking a small phial from his dress, poured hyssop on the sponge. Faustus then reached the sponge up to the lips of Jesus. But Jesus turned away his head and would not drink. "Here, drink," said Faustus. "What, wilt thou not?" and seeing that Jesus would not touch the sponge he took it away.
Then Jesus cried in agony, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani!"
But those hearing him did not understand, but imagined he cried for Elias.
"Hark!" said they. "He cried for Elias."