Cross, Gospel accounts of

Each of the four Gospels provides a detailed account of Jesus Christ's death on the cross.

The way to the cross

Simon is compelled to carry the cross

Mark 15:21 parallels Matthew 27:32, Luke 23:26

Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.

Women follow the cross and Jesus Christ is offered relief from pain

Luke 23:27–31 See also Matthew 27:34 parallel Mark 15:23

A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’ At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ crucified between two criminals

Mark 15:22–27 parallels Matthew 27:33–38, Luke 23:32–43 “Golgotha” is a transliteration of the Aramaic word for “a skull”. Its actual location is uncertain.

They brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull. There they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. And they crucified Him. They also divided His garments by casting lots to decide what each of them would take. It was the third hour when they crucified Him. And the charge inscribed against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. Along with Jesus, they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left.

The humiliation of Jesus Christ on the cross

Mark 15:29–32 parallels Matthew 27:39–44, Luke 23:35–39

And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, come down from the cross and save Yourself!” In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” And even those who were crucified with Him berated Him.

The words of Jesus Christ on the cross

John 19:30 See also Matthew 27:46 parallel Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:28–31, Luke 23:34, Luke 23:43, Luke 23:46; John 19:26–28

When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.

The death of Jesus Christ

Mark 15:33–37 parallels Matthew 27:45–50, Luke 23:44–46 See also John 19:28–35 According to John, Jesus Christ was on the cross while the Passover lambs were being sacrificed.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” When some of those standing nearby heard this, they said, “Behold, He is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine. He put it on a reed and held it up for Jesus to drink, saying, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.” But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last.

Supernatural events at the cross

Mark 15:38 parallels Matthew 27:51–53, Luke 23:45

And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Witnesses of the crucifixion

Mark 15:39–41 parallels Matthew 27:54–56, Luke 23:47–49

When the centurion standing there in front of Jesus saw how He had breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” And there were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These women had followed Jesus and ministered to Him while He was in Galilee, and there were many other women who had come up to Jerusalem with Him.