The death of Jesus Christ is of central importance to the Christian faith. Through Christ's death, sinners are reconciled to God and to their fellow human beings. Paul summarises the gospel as “the message of the cross”.
Jesus Christ foretold his death on the cross
Matthew 20:18–19 parallels Mark 10:33–34, Luke 18:31–32 See also Matthew 26:2; John 3:14–15, John 8:28, John 12:32–33, John 18:32
“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised to life.”
The facts of Jesus Christ's death on the cross
Carrying Jesus Christ's cross
John 19:17 Though Jesus Christ began to carry his cross, the Romans soon forced Simon of Cyrene to continue with it. See also Matthew 27:32 parallels Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26
Carrying His own cross, He went out to The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.
Jesus Christ refused the comfort of wine, which would have lessened the pains of his suffering
Matthew 27:34 parallel Mark 15:23
Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross
Luke 23:33 parallels Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24–25, John 19:18
When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.
Jesus Christ's words from the cross
See also Luke 23:34, Luke 23:43; John 19:26–27; Matthew 27:46 parallel Mark 15:34; Psalm 22:1; Luke 23:46; John 19:28–30
Signs accompanying Jesus Christ's death on the cross
Darkness over the whole land for three hours: Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33 parallel Luke 23:44–45; Matthew 27:51 parallels Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45; Matthew 27:52–53 the dead come back to life
People at the scene of the cross
The Roman centurion and his men: Matthew 27:35–36, Matthew 27:54 parallels Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47; Matthew 27:38 parallels Mark 15:27, Luke 23:32–33, John 19:18; Matthew 27:44; Luke 23:39–43; Matthew 27:39–43 parallels Mark 15:29–32, Luke 23:35–37 people who insulted and mocked Jesus Christ; Matthew 27:55–56 parallels Mark 15:40–41, Luke 23:27–31, John 19:25; Luke 23:49; John 19:26–27 John
Responsibility for the cross
The cross as God's plan
Acts 2:23 See also Isaiah 53:10; Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42; Matthew 26:42; John 14:30–31; Acts 4:25–28; Psalm 2:1–2; Revelation 13:8
He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
The crowd's call for Jesus Christ's crucifixion
Matthew 27:21–22 parallels Mark 15:12–14, Luke 23:18–21, John 19:15; Matthew 27:25; Acts 2:36; 1 Thessalonians 2:14–15
Jewish and Roman leaders' responsibility
Matthew 27:1, Matthew 27:20 parallel Mark 15:11; Matthew 27:26 parallels Mark 15:15, John 19:16; Luke 23:24–25; John 19:6–7; Acts 4:10; 1 Corinthians 2:8
The triumph of the cross
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
The cross brings glory to Jesus Christ
John 17:1 Jesus Christ refers to his approaching death, the climax of his earthly life. See also John 12:28, John 13:31–32, John 17:5; Philippians 2:8–11; Hebrews 12:2; Revelation 5:8–14
When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.
The cross brings reconciliation
Ephesians 2:13–17 See also Romans 5:9–10; 2 Corinthians 5:18–19; Colossians 1:20
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
Identification with the crucified Christ releases believers from their old way of life
Galatians 2:20 See also Romans 6:5–13; Galatians 5:24–25, Galatians 6:14; Colossians 2:13–14
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Jesus Christ's cross is central to the Christian message
1 Corinthians 2:2 See also Acts 2:23–24, Acts 3:13, Acts 5:30, Acts 13:27–29; Galatians 3:1
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Jesus Christ's cross is the symbol of Christian discipleship
Matthew 16:24 parallels Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23 See also Matthew 10:38; John 21:18–19
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.