Cross of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ foretold his death on the cross

Matthew 20:18–19 NASB95

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”

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 NASB95

they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.

Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross

Luke 23:33 NASB95

When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the 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 NASB95

this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

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 NASB95

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through 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 NASB95

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, 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 NASB95

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up 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 NASB95

For I determined 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 NASB95

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

See also Mt 10:38; Jn 21:18–19