Cross of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ foretold his death on the cross

Matthew 20:18–19 ESV

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

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

they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.

Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross

Luke 23:33 ESV

And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

Jesus Christ’s words from the cross

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

this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

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

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 ESV

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

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

The cross brings reconciliation

Ephesians 2:13–17 ESV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

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

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

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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

Jesus Christ’s cross is central to the Christian message

1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

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

Jesus Christ’s cross is the symbol of Christian discipleship

Matthew 16:24 ESV

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

See also Mt 10:38; Jn 21:18–19