Jesus' Death on the Cross Hour By Hour

Rev. Margaret Minnicks is an ordained Bible teacher. She writes many articles that are Bible lessons.

Christians focus on the passion of Jesus Christ, that is, His suffering and death on the cross. Jesus' final hours on the cross lasted a total of six hours. Here is the timeline before, during and immediately following Jesus' death.

Many of the actual times of these events are not recorded in scripture. The timeline represents an approximate sequence of events. Also, in order to come up with an appropriate timeline, all four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John must be considered.

Before the Crucifixion

Jesus knew His time on earth was coming to an end. He prepared His disciples about the events surrounding His death. Palm Sunday, when He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, was really the beginning of Jesus last week of His earthly ministry.

The week following His triumphant ride is known as Holy Week or Passion Week. It was a busy week for Jesus as He ended His final week on earth before His death, burial and resurrection.

The Crucifixion

It was unlawful for a trial to take place at night, but it was done before Passover. The following events took place on Friday which was a very busy day. Crucifixion was the form of punishment during Jesus' day, and it was the cruelest form of death.

6 a.m. "The First Hour"

• Jesus stands trial before Pontius Pilate, but Pilate finds no fault with Jesus.
• Jesus is sent to Herod.

7 a.m.

• Jesus is returned to Pilate.

8 a.m.

• Pilate sentences Jesus to death to please the people. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and stripped of His clothes. A crown of thorns is placed on His head.

9 a.m. "The Third Hour"

• Jesus is made to carry his own cross as He is led away to Calvary to be crucified.
• Soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothing.
• Soldiers drove large stake-like nails through Jesus' hands and ankles before He is lifted up on a wooden cross. Soldiers also place over His head a sign that read, "The King of the Jews."

10 a.m.

• Jesus is insulted and mocked. Soldiers and some people in the crowd shout, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
• Soldiers offering Jesus a drink of sour wine.

11 a.m.

• Jesus speaks His last words.
• The first word is forgiveness.
• Jesus talks to two thieves on the cross. One mocked him while the other one didn't. Jesus told the penitent thief, "Today, you will be with me in paradise."
• Jesus tells His beloved disciple John to take His mother home to his house and for John to behold His mother.

Noon - "The Sixth Hour"

• Darkness comes upon the entire land. It became light during the night when Jesus was born. It became dark during the day when Jesus died.

1 p.m.

• Jesus cries out to the Father in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
• Jesus says, "I thirst." This was an indication of His humanity.

2 p.m.

• Jesus says, "It is finished."
• Jesus says, "Into thy hands, I commit my Spirit."

3 p.m. "The Ninth Hour"

• Jesus bows His head, took His last breath, and dies on the cross. He had hung there for six hours. He could have called down a legion of angels, but He suffered, bled and died to save humanity.

After the Crucifixion

• An earthquake takes place and the veil of the temple tears in two from top to bottom. The tombs open and the bodies of many holy people who had died are raised to life.
• The soldiers break the legs of the thieves. Jesus had already died. Therefore, His legs were not broken to fulfill prophecy.
• A centurion pierces Jesus' side and says, "Surely, he was the Son of God!"
• Jesus is laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimethea, a Pharisee.
• Early the next day when the women went to put spices of His body, the stone had been rolled away, and Jesus wasn't there.
• Jesus is in the grave for only three days. He rose on the third day just as He said He would.

Comments

Miebakagh Fiberesima from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA. on April 10, 2020:

margeret, thanks sharing.