The death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is of central importance to the NT. Through the faithful, obedient death of Christ, God grants sinners forgiveness and eternal life. The Christian sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper focus upon the death of Christ.
Jesus Christ's death was foretold
In time and in eternity
Revelation 13:8 See also Isaiah 53:10–12; Zechariah 12:10; John 1:29, John 1:36
And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast — all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.
By Jesus Christ himself
Matthew 16:21 parallels Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22 See also Matthew 17:22–23, Matthew 26:12 parallel John 12:7; John 16:16, John 16:28, John 18:4
From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Jesus Christ willingly planned to give his life
John 10:11 See also John 10:15, John 10:17–18, John 13:1, John 15:13; 1 John 3:16
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Plots to kill Jesus Christ
Mark 3:6 parallel Matthew 12:14 See also Matthew 26:4 parallel Mark 14:1; Luke 13:31, Luke 19:47; John 5:18, John 7:25, John 8:37, John 8:40
At this, the Pharisees went out and began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
The manner of Jesus Christ's death
Jesus Christ died by crucifixion
Luke 23:33 parallels Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24–25
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.
The moment of death
Mark 15:37 parallels Matthew 27:50, Luke 23:46, John 19:30 See also John 19:33
But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last.
Events accompanying Jesus Christ's death
Matthew 27:45 Darkness descended on the land; Matthew 27:51 The curtain of the temple was split; Matthew 27:52–53 The dead emerged from their tombs.
Jesus Christ's burial
Matthew 27:58–60 parallels Mark 15:43–46, Luke 23:51–53, John 19:38–42
He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.
The unique character of Jesus Christ's death
Jesus Christ's body did not decay
Acts 2:31 See also Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27, Acts 13:36–37
Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay.
Jesus Christ descended to the dead
Romans 1:4 See also 1 Peter 3:18–22
and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus Christ was raised bodily from the dead
Luke 24:36–40 See also John 21:12–13; Acts 10:41, Acts 25:19
While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit. “Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see — for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet.
Death had no power over Jesus Christ
Acts 2:24 See also Romans 6:9–10; Revelation 1:18
But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.
Jesus Christ's death was a unique sacrifice
Hebrews 7:27 See also 1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:26, Hebrews 9:28, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:12; 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10
Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.
Achievements of Jesus Christ's death
Jesus Christ's death establishes the new covenant
Luke 22:20 parallels Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, 1 Corinthians 11:25 See also Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 13:20
In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.
Jesus Christ's death is a victory
Colossians 2:14–15 See also Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 2:14–15; Revelation 12:11
having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Jesus Christ's death brings redemption
Revelation 5:9 See also Mark 10:45 parallel Matthew 20:28; Acts 20:28; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18–19
And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Jesus Christ's death brings forgiveness and cleansing
1 John 1:7 See also Hebrews 9:14; Revelation 1:5, Revelation 7:14
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Jesus Christ's death brings sanctification
Hebrews 13:12 See also Hebrews 10:14; 1 Peter 1:2
And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood.
Believers identify with Jesus Christ in his death
Romans 6:3–8 See also 2 Corinthians 5:14–15; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:11; 2 Timothy 2:11
Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.
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.