Cross of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ foretold his death on the cross

Matthew 20:18–19 NLT

“Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

See also Jn 12:32–33; Jn 8:28; Mt 26:2; Jn 3:14–15; Jn 18:32

The facts of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross

Carrying Jesus Christ’s cross

Jn 19:17 Though Jesus Christ began to carry his cross, the Romans soon forced Simon of Cyrene to continue with it.

See also Mt 27:32

Jesus Christ refused the comfort of wine, which would have lessened the pains of his suffering

Matthew 27:34 NLT

The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it.

Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross

Luke 23:33 NLT

When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

Jesus Christ’s words from the cross

See also Lk 23:43; Lk 23:34; Mt 27:46; Ps 22:1; Lk 23:46; Jn 19:26–27; Jn 19:28–30

Signs accompanying Jesus Christ’s death on the cross

Darkness over the whole land for three hours:

Mt 27:45; Mk 15:33

The temple curtain torn from top to bottom:

Mt 27:51; Mt 27:52–53 the dead come back to life

People at the scene of the cross

The Roman centurion and his men:

Mt 27:35–36; Mt 27:54

The two criminals crucified with Jesus Christ:

Mt 27:38; Mt 27:44; Lk 23:39–43

Mt 27:39–43 people who insulted and mocked Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s mother and other women:

Mt 27:55–56; Lk 23:49

Jn 19:26–27 John

Responsibility for the cross

The cross as God’s plan

Acts 2:23 NLT

But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.

See also Is 53:10; Mt 26:39; Mt 26:42; Re 13:8; Jn 14:30–31; Ac 4:25–28; Ps 2:1–2

The crowd’s call for Jesus Christ’s crucifixion

Mt 27:21–22; Mt 27:25; Ac 2:36; 1 Th 2:14–15

Jewish and Roman leaders’ responsibility

Mt 27:1; Mt 27:20; Mt 27:26; Lk 23:24–25; Jn 19:6–7; Ac 4:10; 1 Co 2:8

The triumph of the cross

Colossians 2:15 NLT

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

The cross brings glory to Jesus Christ

Jn 17:1 Jesus Christ refers to his approaching death, the climax of his earthly life.

See also Jn 13:31–32; Jn 17:5; Php 2:8–11; Heb 12:2; Jn 12:28; Re 5:8–14

The cross brings reconciliation

Ephesians 2:13–17 NLT

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.

See also Col 1:20; Ro 5:9–10; 2 Co 5:18–19

Identification with the crucified Christ releases believers from their old way of life

Galatians 2:20 NLT

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

See also Ga 6:14; Col 2:13–14; Ro 6:5–13; Ga 5:24–25

Jesus Christ’s cross is central to the Christian message

1 Corinthians 2:2 NLT

For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.

See also Ac 2:23–24; Ac 3:13; Ac 5:30; Ga 3:1; Ac 13:27–29

Jesus Christ’s cross is the symbol of Christian discipleship

Matthew 16:24 NLT

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

See also Jn 21:18–19; Mt 10:38