journey of jesus to the cross

Jesus on the Cross: A Timeline of the Crucifixion

Discover the timeline of the what happened to Jesus on the cross during the crucifixion of the Prince of Life.

How long was Jesus on the cross, what were the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross, and what happened during his last hours? We have the accounts of the crucifixion recorded in the Gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The crucifixion and death Let's explore the historical timeline of Jesus' crucifixion, a significant event in Christian history. This article delves into the sequence of events from the early morning when Jesus was condemned to His final hours on the cross. Each key moment that Jesus experienced on the cross is accompanied by corresponding Scripture verses, providing a biblical perspective on this crucial day in Christian tradition.

By following the timeline of this significant day, we can gain a deeper understanding of the biblical account of the crucifixion of Jesus and reflect on the last words spoken by Jesus as He hung on the cross, conveying His message of love, forgiveness, and salvation. His death on the cross is seen as the means by which humanity can be reconciled with God and have their sins forgiven, offering the gift of salvation.

Before 9:00 AM: Jesus on the Way to Golgotha

Scripture : Matthew 27:31-34 ; Mark 15:20-23 ; Luke 23:26-33 ; and John 19:17

The Romans intended crucifixion to be

unspeakably cruel
mercilessly lingering - men would often last a day or more on the cross
inescapably public - again, to hinder any seditious impulse in the citizenry
publicly certifiable - the death had to occur visibly and undeniably on the cross so that the rumor would not get started that the seditionist had somehow survived and the rebellion should go on.

Thus, crucifixion was always on a low hill outside the main city gate because a gate is a bottleneck - a person going into/out of the city must pass that way.

Jesus is forced to carry the horizontal piece of the cross to the place of execution, just outside the main gate on the north of the city of Jerusalem.

9:00 AM-Noon: The First Three Hours of Jesus the Cross (9:00 AM-Noon)

Scripture : Matthew 27:35-44 ; Mark 15:24-32 ; Luke 23:33-43 ; and John 19:18-27

Jesus is crucified between two criminals. Sunlight remains. The soldiers gamble for Jesus's garments (in fulfillment of Psalms 22:18 ). The inscription, "King of the Jews" is affixed amid much scoffing. This inscription, according to the biblical account, was placed there by order of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and was written in multiple languages, including Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.

Jesus speaks three times:

to His heavenly Father on behalf of His tormentors: "Father, forgive them,"
to the repentant thief: "Today you shall be with me in paradise,"
to His mother and to John: "Woman, behold thy son."

Understanding the Meaning of Jesus' First Words From the Cross

"father, forgive them.".

The ESV translation of Luke 23:34 says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These were the first of our Lord’s final words upon the cross, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. In light of what is known about the process of ancient Roman crucifixion, it’s incredible to think that the world’s Greatest Defender was not once found to be defending his own innocence or even returning an angry word upon His deserving accusers.

Rather, the One who came to save, having Himself been forsaken by God in this moment ( Mark 15:34 ), was found interceding for the souls that put Him there, pleading that they themselves would not also be found forsaken. Forgiveness - it's who Jesus is, it's what he taught, and why He came.

By interceding for His transgressors through this prayer, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that was foretold by Isaiah, hundreds of years prior. This prayer, from upon the cross particularly, would have been a confirmation of His identity to those awaiting their beloved messiah, as described by the prophets of God. (excerpt from Why Did Jesus Say "Father Forgive Them" , Amy Swanson)

"Today you will be with me in paradise"

Jesus was blameless, without sin, and was not guilty of such a horrific death, but two men who were guilty of their crimes hung next to Him that fateful day. Both men spoke to Jesus, but only one would die to be greeted into the promise of Heaven. The response of Jesus in this instance was profound to the criminal, as He promised this sinner that he too would enter the gates of Heaven to live in Paradise, not later but that day!

We are not told what this criminal stole to be convicted guilty of, but whatever it was it was worthy of the most severe punishment. Even a crime so terrible that man would consider worthy of death could be forgiven by Jesus. How Christ responded to the criminal next to Him has takeaways for Christians today. No matter how severe the sin, there is opportunity for salvation and forgiveness from Christ—even in the final breaths of life. Jesus died for our transgressions, and in that forgiveness, abides for us. This guilty criminal acknowledged Jesus as Savior, for he acknowledged His Kingdom. Jesus knew his heart and granted the promise that despite earth’s sentence upon this man, he would enter the gates of Heaven that very day. (excerpt from What Did Jesus Mean When He Told the Thief "Today You Will Be with Me in Parradise"? , Cally Logan)

"Woman, behold your son"

Jesus saw his mother, Mary, standing by and knew her cares and griefs, and He saw John standing not far off. So, He established a new relationship between His beloved mother and His beloved disciple. He said to her, "Woman, behold your son, for whom, from now on, you must have a motherly affection," and to John, "Behold you mother, to whom you must pay a sonly duty." And so from that hour, that hour never to be forgotten, that disciple took her to his own home.

He calls her woman , not mother , not out of any disrespect to her, but because mother would have been a cutting word to her who was already wounded with grief. He directs her to look upon John as her son: "Behold him as thy son, who stands there by you, and be as a mother to him." (excerpt from Why Did Jesus Say "Woman Behold Your Son"? ,)

Noon-3:00 PM - The Final Three Hours of Jesus the Cross

Scripture : Matthew 27:45-50 ; Mark 15:33-37 ; Luke 23:44-46 ; and John 19:28-30

God draws a supernatural darkness over the scene. Jesus, as the Lamb of God, is "forsaken" (i.e., judicially dis-fellowshipped, rejected) by the Father, suffering the agony and torment of spiritual death (i.e., separation from the Father) on behalf of fallen men. It was the prospect of this spiritual separation that had so horrified Jesus as He contemplated the cross.

Jesus is silent until late in the three hours, and then He speaks four times, his last words:

in agony, "My God, why...,"
to those standing by: "I thirst!" (Jesus had something more to say, but His mouth and throat were so parched by the ordeal of crucifixion that He did not have the physical strength to say it; thus this request for moisture for His lips),
to a breathlessly waiting world, a cry of sublime victory: "It is finished," and
having completed the awful task: "Father, into thy hands...." The Prince of Life lays down His physical life for three dark days.

The Final Sayings of Jesus from the Cross

"my god, my god, why have you forsaken me".

I believe that in the time when in his humanity he felt forsaken by the Father, that as he looked around and we have this parade of people coming by that were mocking him, the chief priest and rulers. I understand why these robbers would mock me. I understand why the crowds who said Hosanna five days ago, they don't understand. I understand why they would forsake me. I understand why these Jewish leaders would forsake me. But my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

That was what broke his heart. He understood why all these others, for various reasons would forsake him. But that was what broke his heart because never had he known a moment's time of any sort of separation in his relationship with the Father. So I think this was the great low point, if you will, in his experience on the cross. (excerpt from My God Why Have You Forsaken Me - Meaning and Importance )

This may appear overly simplistic. The temptation is to take these words and interpret them in some overly spiritualized manner. We might equate “thirsting” with Christ’s call to “hunger and thirst after righteousness” ( Matthew 5:6 ). Another possible connection would be to link this statement with Christ’s invitation that all who are thirsty are invited to drink from the waters of life ( Revelation 22:17 ). These interpretive links are not necessarily wrong, and word-studies can be an enjoyable foray into both biblical meditation and biblical study.

It is out of this place of physical exhaustion that Jesus declares his thirst. The hours spent in the sun, coupled with the physical pain he was feeling, would have created mild, if not severe, dehydration. Jesus speaks of his own thirst out a real human need for sustenance and relief. On the cross, Jesus is physically thirsty. (excerpt from What is the Meaning and Significance of Jesus Saying "I Thirst"? , Rev. Kyle Norman)

"It is finished"

Jesus is saying in “It is finished” that the debt owed by man to his Creator on account of Adam’s sin is finally and forever dealt with. Jesus, with “it is finished,” is saying not only does He take away man’s sin, but now He removes it as far as the east is to the west, for is finished, done, signed, and sealed because of the blood of Jesus .

When Jesus said, “It is finished” ( John 19:30 ) He brought about the completion of all the Old Testament prophecies, symbols, and foreshadowing about Himself. From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Malachi , there are 300 detailed prophecies about the Anointed One Jesus, which are fulfilled by Him. From the “seed” who would crush the serpent's head ( Genesis 3:15 ) to the Suffering Servant ( Isaiah 53 ). (excerpt from The Meaning and Significance of "It is Finished" , Dave Jenkins)

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"

For some believers, whether or not the translation is more active, like “gave up the ghost” or “breathed his last,” in which Jesus appears to be making a decision is very important. Because He was fully God and fully man, Jesus could have taken himself off the cross, remained alive, and exerted His divine authority. He chose not to do so. His divine nature means He intentionally had to choose to no longer hold onto life.

For people who believe this element of the crucifixion is important, the passive implication that Jesus simply passed away on the cross due to sustained injuries in some translation is an insufficient reading of the text. Translations with “expired” or “died” would not be acceptable. Other readers and thinkers do not see this choice as taking away from Jesus’ divine nature, and go with what is easier for them to read or exegete.

It is also significant because of its connection to Psalm 31 . It is a direct quotation from that passage of Scripture. In context, it appears: “For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God” ( Psalm 31:3-5 ).

Jesus invokes this Psalm with the same meaning. Jesus lived a blameless life on earth. Not only did Jesus know He would go to be with the Father, but He knew His life would be vindicated with the resurrection mere days later. Though Jesus’ enemies thought they defeated Him at Calvary, God granted Jesus the ultimate victory with new bodily life. Jesus will have the final victory after His return as well. (excerpt from Beautiful Meaning Behind "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" , Bethany Verrett)

Physical Phenomena That Occurred at the Death of Jesus

Scripture : Matthew 27:51-56 ; Mark 15:38-41 ; and Luke 23:50-54

These events include the following: the rending of the veil in the temple; tremors in the earth that split rocks; the resuscitation (return to mortal life) of some who had (recently?) died and been buried in the regions of Jerusalem. These physical signs drew many onlookers to faith, including a centurion (Roman soldier given leadership over 100 troops) who had been assigned to the detail conducting this crucifixion.

Adapted from the Life of Christ study notes of Dr. Doug Bookman, professor of New Testament Exposition at Shepherds Theological Seminary (used by permission).

Get your FREE Holy Week Guide here . Download this 8 Day Prayer and Scripture Guide to as you reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

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Journey to the Cross: A Devotional Guide

More by matt smethurst.

Lent strikes many Protestants as the exclusive domain of Roman Catholics, but this season can serve any Christian as a unique time of preparation and repentance as we anticipate the death and resurrection of Jesus. On the Christian calendar, Lent (from Latin, meaning “fortieth”) is the 40 days beginning on Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter Sunday. (Sundays aren’t counted, but generally set aside as days of renewal and celebration—“mini-Easters” of sorts.) Whatever you might think about popular practices, Kendal Haug and Will Walker argue Lent is “first and foremost about the gospel making its way deeper into our lives.”

Compiled by Haug and Walker, Journey to the Cross is a free devotional guide for the season of Lent. Each week focuses on a different theme (e.g., repentance, humility, suffering, lament, sacrifice, death), and each day follows a distinct pattern: Call to Worship, Confession, Contemplation, and Closing Prayer. “Lent is about Jesus,” the authors contend, and with each element “our aim is to reflect meaningfully on his journey to the cross, so that we might take up our cross and follow him.”

We’ve excerpted a sample selection (Day 3) below. As Haug and Walker write, “May we mourn the darkness in our hearts and rejoice in the light of God who came into the world to save us!”

Call to Worship

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isa. 40:3-8)

Most merciful God whose Son, Jesus Christ, was tempted in every way, yet was without sin, we confess before you our own sinfulness; we have hungered after that which does not satisfy; we have compromised with evil; we have doubted your power to protect us. Forgive our lack of faith; have mercy on our weakness. Restore in us such trust and love that we may walk in your ways and delight in doing your will. Amen. [ The Worship Sourcebook ]

Contemplation

At the onset of Jesus’ ministry, John announced his coming in fulfillment of Isaiah 40: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” This is the cry of Lent: Prepare the way of the Lord! Make room for him in your thoughts and activities and affections.

An appropriate response to this announcement is to take stock of our lives, to reconsider how we’re living in light of God’s presence and power made available to us in Jesus. And that’s what Lent is for: to reflect on our lives as they are, and as they could be.

Giving up a habit or a food or a pleasure is not distinctly Christian. People give up things all the time in the name of self-help, or worse, vanity and vengeance. The point of Lent is to reorient life God-ward. This reorientation has to do with desert and wilderness.

A “wilderness experience” in our language usually means one has been gone for awhile and now returns with new insight or perspective, “a new lease on life.” Whether it’s a trip to the third world, or a hike in the mountains, people are stripped of their usual comforts, removed from the safety of familiarity, and forced to see the world from a different vantage point.

Our aim during Lent is something like a wilderness experience. We want to shake up our lives significantly enough that when we reach for our usual comforts and grasp a fistful of air, we’re forced to cling to Christ—his body, his blood. We want to see just how upside down our world really is as our “important things” prove to be perishable goods, as the light shines on our “righteousness” and exposes the layers of “self” beneath the surface, and as our “busy” lives are shown to simply lack wisdom.

The desire is a new lease on life, a view into the vast world of God, a deep breath and long look above the tree line of self-absorption. So in Lent we focus on getting away from the life of flesh and into the life of the Spirit, denying our ways and embracing God’s.

The point of giving things up isn’t to be reminded of how much we miss them, but rather to be awakened to how much we miss God and long for his life-giving Spirit. This means, of course, that Lent isn’t only about giving up things. It’s also about adding things, God-things.

Having given up junk food for a healthy diet, what will you do with the energy you gain?
Having given up reading magazines, what will you read now?
Having given up Facebook, to whom will you devote meaningful conversation?
Having given up lunch, how will you rely on God for the strength of “food from heaven”?
Having given up TV as a default activity, how will you use that time to cultivate quality family time?
Having given up isolation, how will you immerse yourself in community?
Having given up shopping, will you see those who need clothing in your city?
Having sacrificed whatever form of selfishness you indulge, how will you meet the needs of others?

The practice of giving something up for Lent is a way of entering into the wilderness with Jesus. Don’t worry about whether your sacrifice is a good one. It’s not a contest. Just make your aim to know Christ more fully, and trust him to lead you. Seek to replace that thing with devotion to Christ—his Word and his mission. God may lead you to give up and take up more as you go. That’s good. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus.

Closing Prayer

Merciful God, we come to you today realizing we are not how you want us to be. Help us let go of our past, that we may turn toward you and live again the life of faith. Help us call out our fear and hatred, our anger and self-pity. Lift the burden they place on our shoulders. Help us set aside our guilt and enter a season of healing. As we pray and fast today, help us become simple people, that we may see you plainly. Let us draw near to you now. Amen.

Purchase the entire Journey to the Cross: Readings and Devotions for Lent devotional, a resource by Providence Church in Austin, Texas.

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Matt Smethurst serves as lead pastor of River City Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. He also cohosts and edits The Everyday Pastor podcast from The Gospel Coalition. Matt is the author of Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel (Crossway, 2025), Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready (10Publishing, 2022), Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church (Crossway, 2021), Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures for Approaching God’s Word (10Publishing, 2019), and 1–2 Thessalonians: A 12-Week Study (Crossway, 2017). He and his wife, Maghan, have five children. You can follow him on Twitter/X and Instagram .

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