The crucifixion and death of Jesus on the cross are one of the most important events in history. It is central to God’s plan to save humanity. In this blog, we’ll look at 50 Bible verses about Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection. These verses help us understand His great sacrifice and why it matters for our salvation. Let’s dive into these stories and see their meaning.
Article Outline
- What is the crucifixion of Jesus?
- Why was Jesus crucified? Understanding the purpose.
- Prophecies about the death of Jesus
- Garden of Gethsemane: The suffering of the soul
- The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
- The Trial and Condemnation of Jesus
- The Role of Simon of Cyrene in the Crucifixion
- Carrying the Cross: The Journey to Calvary or Golgotha
- The suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross
- The Last Words of Jesus on the Cross
- Witnesses to the Crucifixion of Jesus
- Signs and Wonders Following Jesus’ Death
- The Burial of Jesus
- The Resurrection of Jesus: Hope Beyond the Cross
- Jesus suffered and died for your sins and mine!
What is the Crucifixion of Jesus?
Crucifixion was a way people were punished a long time ago, especially during Roman times. It was a very painful and sad punishment. They tied or nailed a person to a large wooden cross and left them there to die.
The Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John record the crucifixion of Jesus. Each Gospel tells the story of the crucifixion in its own way. However, they all agree on one main point: the Romans crucified Jesus on a cross. This happened because the Jewish leaders demanded it. The death of Christ on the cross is seen as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity, offering eternal life to those who put their faith in Jesus.
- Acts 2:22-24: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
Why Was Jesus Crucified? Understanding the Purpose.
The death of Christ Jesus was not an accident, but a divine plan to offer salvation to humanity. Here are verses that explain the purpose of His crucifixion:
- Matthew 20:28: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
- John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
- Romans 5:8: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
- 1 Peter 2:24: “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
These verses emphasize Jesus’ voluntary death and His role as the Savior.
Prophecies About the Death of Jesus
Long before the actual crucifixion of Jesus, His suffering and death were prophesied in the Old Testament. These prophecies confirm the divine orchestration of events leading to the death of Jesus. Jesus’ crucifixion fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies. Here are verses that demonstrate this:
Old Testament prophecies
- Isaiah 53:5: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
- Psalm 22:16: “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”
- Zechariah 12:10: “And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son.”
- Psalm 34:20: “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.”
Jesus Himself foretold His death and resurrection
- Matthew 20:18-19: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Garden of Gethsemane: The suffering in soul
The crucifixion was marked by immense physical and emotional suffering. Here are verses that describe Jesus’ pain and endurance:
- Luke 22:44: “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
The way Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus is a key moment in the story of the crucifixion. This act of treachery kicked off everything that followed, leading to Jesus being arrested and put on trial.
- Matthew 26:14-16: Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
- Mark 14:43-44: And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
- John 18:2-3: And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
The Trial and Condemnation of Jesus
Before His crucifixion, Jesus of Nazareth faced an unfair trial. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, sentenced Him to death. Pilate was pressured by religious leaders and an angry crowd.
Jesus before Pilate
- Mark 15:14: “Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.”
- Matthew 27:11: And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
- John 18:37: Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
- John 19:10-11: Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
The Condemnation and humiliation of Jesus
Despite finding no fault in Jesus, Pilate ultimately yields to the pressure of the crowd and condemns him to crucifixion. Herod made the judgement for political reasons. It shows the injustice and sacrifice that are key parts of the crucifixion story. The condemnation seals Jesus’ fate and sets the stage for his journey to Calvary.
- Matthew 27:24-26: When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. (Luke 23:24-25) Matthew 27:27-30 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand, knelt down before Him, and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly. (BSB)
- Matthew 27:31: “And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.”
The Role of Simon of Cyrene in the Crucifixion
As Jesus made His way to Golgotha, He had a hard time carrying the cross because of the intense pain He went through. Simon of Cyrene was asked to lend a hand, which shows just how heavy the burden was for Jesus, both physically and emotionally.
- Mark 15:21: “And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.”
- Matthew 27:32: “And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.”
- Luke 23:26: “And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.”
Carrying the Cross: The Journey to Calvary or Golgotha
Jesus was led outside Jerusalem to a place called Golgotha, which in Aramaic means, “The place of skull”. The other name for the place is Calvary, derived from the Latin word for the place – Calvariae Locus.
- John 19:17: “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.”
- Mark 15:22: “And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.”
The suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross
- John 19:18: “Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.”
- Matthew 27:35: “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet.”
- Mark 15:25: “And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.”
- Mark 15:24: “And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.”
These verses highlight the physical act of crucifixion and the fulfillment of God’s plan for Jesus’ sacrificial death.
The Last Words of Jesus on the Cross
- Matthew 27:46: And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
- Luke 23:34: Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
- John 19:26-27: When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
- Luke 23:43: And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
- John 19:28: After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
- John 19:30: When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
- Luke 23:46: “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
These words reflect Jesus’ compassion, fulfillment of His mission, and trust in God. Even in His pain, Jesus spoke with forgiveness and love, showing kindness to others and offering the hope of salvation.
Witnesses to the Crucifixion of Jesus
Many people saw Jesus on the cross, including soldiers, women who followed Him, and a crowd that mocked Him. Each individual response highlights both faith and unbelief.
- John 19:33-34: “But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”
- Luke 23:48: “And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.”
- John 19:25: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”
- Matthew 27:41-42: “Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save.”
- Mark 15:39: “And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”
Signs and Wonders Following Jesus’ Death
After Jesus died, supernatural signs happened. These signs showed His divine identity. They also revealed the power of His sacrifice.
- Matthew 27:51: “At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.” (BSB)
- Matthew 27:52-53: “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”
- Mark 15:33: “And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.”
- Luke 23:45: “And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.”
The Burial of Jesus
Following His crucifixion, Jesus was buried in a tomb, as described in the Gospel of Luke and other accounts. His burial set the stage for the glorious resurrection of Jesus, which would prove His victory over sin and death.
- Luke 23:53-54: “And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.”
- Matthew 27:57-60: When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. (Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-53; John 19:38-42)
- John 19:41-42: “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus.”
The Resurrection of Jesus: Hope Beyond the Cross
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Here are verses that speak of His triumph over death:
- Matthew 28:6: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:4: “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
Reflecting on the crucifixion of Jesus
The crucifixion and death of Jesus reminds us about God’s love towards mankind and the price that was paid for our redemption. If there were any other way for our salvation, why would Jesus come to earth and suffer and die for our sins? Have you received the gift of salvation that Christ offers by accepting Him as your personal savior?
Remember, the story doesn’t wrap up at the cross. It carries on with the resurrection, bringing hope and eternal life to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ – in His death and resurrection.