The Duration of Jesus's Crucifixion on the Cross: The Painful Truth Behind Easter's Origins
BIBLE INSIGHTS
The Easter story holds deep significance for those familiar with it, particularly in the portrayal of Jesus' excruciating crucifixion. While the narrative of the crucifixion evokes deep empathy, a thorough understanding of the duration of Jesus' suffering can be gleaned from exploring multiple perspectives in the Gospels.
Let's rewind this New Testament story and glean priceless lessons in sacrifice, endurance, compassion, forgiveness, and faith that resonate deeply with humanity.
THE STORY OF JESUS'S CRUCIFIXION
The soldiers beat Jesus with whips. They put a purple robe on Him. They made a crown of thorns and put it on Jesus’s head. They laughed at Him and spit on Him. They called Him “King of the Jews.
Mark 15:15–20
Many people followed the soldiers as they took Jesus to a hill near Jerusalem. They made Him carry His own cross. They nailed His hands and feet to the cross and lifted it up. They also crucified two other men, who were thieves.
Luke 23:27, 33; John 19:17–18
Jesus prayed. He asked Heavenly Father to forgive the soldiers who crucified Him. They did not know that He was the Savior.
Luke 23:34
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was standing by the cross. The Apostle John was there too. Jesus told John to take care of His mother. John took Jesus’s mother to his home.
John 19:25–27
Darkness covered the land. The Savior suffered on the cross for many hours. Finally His spirit left His body, and He died.
Matthew 27:45, 50
When He died, an earthquake broke huge rocks into pieces. A curtain in the temple, called the veil, was torn in two. The Roman soldiers were afraid.
Matthew 27:51, 54
One of Jesus’s disciples took the Savior’s body off the cross. He wrapped it in a cloth and placed it in a tomb, a place where people are buried. A big rock was rolled in front of the tomb.
Matthew 27:57–60
THE CRUCIFIXION'S LENGTH THROUGH DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS IN THE GOSPELS
Beginning with the Gospel of Mark, we learn that Jesus was nailed to a wooden beam and hung on the cross at about 9 in the morning:
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.
Mark 15:22-25
Luke's Gospel provides with the timing of Jesus' death:
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Luke 23:44-46
Jesus was nailed to the cross at 9 in the morning, and He died at about 3 in the afternoon. Therefore, Jesus spent about 6 hours on the cross.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the duration of Jesus' crucifixion, as presented in the various Gospel accounts, offers a multifaceted glimpse into the profound truths underpinning Easter's origins. As Easter approaches each year, it is an opportune time to reflect on the timeless and impactful truths encapsulated within the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
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- Reference: learnreligions.com
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