Relive Jesus Christ's Final Hours of Passion and Suffering (2024)

Abrahamic / Middle Eastern

Christianity

During the Easter season, especially on Good Friday, Christians focus on the passion of Jesus Christ. The Lord's final hours ofsuffering and death on the cross lasted about six hours. This timeline of Jesus' death breaks down Good Friday's events as recorded in Scripture, including the happenings just before and immediately following the crucifixion.

It's important to note that many of the actual times of these incidents are not recorded in Scripture. The following timeline represents an approximate sequence of events. For a wider view of the moments preceding the death of Jesus and to walk those steps with him, be sure to take a look at this Holy Week Timeline.

Timeline of Jesus' Death

Preceding Events

• The Last Supper (Matthew 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-38; John 13:21-30)
• In the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-45)
• Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:1-11)
• The Religious Leaders Condemn Jesus (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71)

Good Friday's Events

Before the religious leaders could put Jesus to death, they needed Rome to approve of their death sentence. Jesus was taken toPontius Pilate who found no reason to charge him. Pilate had Jesus sent toHerodwho was in Jerusalem at the time. Jesus refused to answer Herod's questions, so Herod sent him back to Pilate. Although Pilate found Jesus innocent, he feared the crowds and sentenced him to death. Jesus was beaten, mocked, stripped naked, and given a crown of thorns. He was made to carry his own cross and led away toCalvary.

6 AM

• Jesus Stands Trial Before Pilate (Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-37)
• Jesus Sent to Herod (Luke 23:6-12)

7 AM

• Jesus Returned to Pilate (Luke 23:11)
• Jesus Is Sentenced to Death (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:23-24; John 19:16)

8 AM

• Jesus Is Led Away to Calvary (Matthew 27:32-34; Mark 15:21-24; Luke 23:26-31; John 19:16-17)

The Crucifixion

Soldiers drove stake-like nails through Jesus' wrists and ankles, fixing him to the cross. An inscription was placed over his head that read, "The King of the Jews." Jesus hung on the cross for approximatelysix hoursuntil he took his final breath. While he was on the cross, soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothing. Onlookers shouted insults and jeered. Two criminals were crucified at the same time.

At one point Jesus spoke to Mary and John. After that darkness covered the land. As Jesus gave up his spirit, an earthquake shook the groundand caused the temple curtain to rip in half from top to bottom.

9 AM - "The Third Hour"

• Jesus Is Crucified - Mark 15: 25 - "It was the third hour when they crucified him" (NIV). The third hour in Jewish time would have been 9 am.
• Father, Forgive Them (Luke 23:34)
• The Soldiers Cast Lots for Jesus' Clothing (Mark 15:24)

10 AM

• Jesus Is Insulted and Mocked
  Matthew 27:39-40 - And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. "So! You can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, can you? Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!" (NLT)
  Mark 15:31 - The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself!" (NLT)
  Luke 23:36-37 - The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" (NLT)
  Luke 23:39 - One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" (NIV)

11 AM

• Jesus and the Criminal - Luke 23:40-43 - But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
  Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
  Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (NIV)
• Jesus Speaks to Mary and John (John 19:26-27)

Noon - "The Sixth Hour"

• Darkness Covers the Land (Mark 15:33)

1 PM

• Jesus Cries Out to the Father - Matthew 27:46 - And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (NKJV)
• Jesus Is Thirsty (John 19:28-29)

2 PM

• It Is Finished - John 19:30a - When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" (NLT)
• Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit - Luke 23:46 - Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (NIV)

3 PM - "The Ninth Hour"

Events After Jesus' Death

• The Earthquake and the Temple Veil Is Torn in Two - Matthew 27:51-52 - At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. (NIV)
• The Centurion - "Surely he was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:47)
• The Soldiers Break the Thieves' Legs (John 19:31-33)
• The Soldier Pierces Jesus Side (John 19:34)
• Jesus is Laid in the Tomb (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)
• Jesus Rises from the Dead (Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-9)