The Chronology Of The Crucifixion

By: Barry L. Cameron


Late Thursday to Early Friday
1. Jesus’ prayer with His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem (Matthew 26:30, 36-46; Mark 14:26, 32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1)

Friday
2. Judas betrays Jesus. Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus. Jesus heals Malchus’ ear. Jesus is arrested. The

disciples flee for their lives. (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12)

3. Jesus is taken by the detachment of soldiers and some Jewish officials from the chief priests and Pharisees

back into Jerusalem. They take Jesus to the palace of the high priest. Here He has His FIRST RELIGIOUS

TRIAL before Annas. (John 18:12-14, 19-23)

4. Annas sends Jesus, still bound, to his son-in-law, Caiaphas. This is Jesus’ SECOND RELIGIOUS TRIAL. Caiaphas charges Jesus with blasphemy. They mock, spit on and slap Jesus in derision. (Matthew 26:57,

59-68; Mark 14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:24)

5. Peter denies Jesus three times. (Matthew 26:58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27)

6. Jesus appears before the Sanhedrin. This is His THIRD RELIGIOUS TRIAL. He is condemned by the Sanhedrin and sent to Pilate. (Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71)

7. Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, sees Jesus condemned and recognizes the wrong he has done. He tries to return the money to the chief priests and the elders. They refuse to take it back. Judas throws the money in the temple and goes out and hangs himself. (Matthew 27:3-10)

8. Jesus appears before Pilate, the Roman governor. This is Jesus’ FIRST CIVIL TRIAL. It is approximately 6:15 A.M. now. (Matthew 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-7; John 18:28-38)

9. Learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, Pilate sends Jesus to Herod. This is Jesus’ SECOND CIVIL TRIAL. It is approximately 6:50 A.M. now. (Luke 23:6-12)

10. Herod asks Jesus many questions, but Jesus never answers him. Herod and his soldiers ridicule and mock Jesus. They dress Him in an elegant robe and send Him back to Pilate. It is approximately 7:35 A.M. now. (Luke 23:8-11)

11. Jesus appears before Pilate. This is Jesus’ THIRD CIVIL TRIAL, and the last time He is questioned. Pilate can find no fault with Him; neither could Herod. Pilate’s wife relates her dream about Jesus and encourages her husband not to have anything to do with Jesus because He is innocent. It was the governor’s custom to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd at the Feast each year. Pilate wants to release Jesus and appeals to the crowd three different times. But they choose Barabbas. Pilate releases Barabbas to the crowd and washes his hands publicly to declare his innocence of Jesus’ blood. He then has Jesus flogged and turns Him over to the crowd. It is approximately 7:50 A.M. now. (Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-19:16)

12. The Roman soldiers take Jesus, strip Him, put a scarlet robe on Him, and place a crown of thorns on His head. They put a staff in His right hand and kneel before Him mocking Him and saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They finish mocking Him, take off the robe, and put His own clothes back on Him. Then, they lead Him away to be crucified. It is approximately 8:35 A.M. now. (Matthew 27:27-34; Mark 15:16-23; Luke 23:26-33; John 19:16-17)

13. They crucify Jesus by nailing Him to a cross between two thieves. The place is Calvary. (Golgotha – the place of the skull.) The time is 9:00 A.M. – the “third hour.” (Matthew 27:35-38; Mark 15:24-28; Luke 23:33-38; John 19:18)

Friday between 9:00 A.M. and 10:15 A.M.

14. Jesus’ FIRST CRY FROM THE CROSS, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

15. The soldiers take Jesus’ clothes and cast lots to see who receives them. (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:23)

Friday between 10:15 A.M. and 11:00 A.M.

16. The Jews mock Jesus. (Matthew 27:39-43; Mark 15:29-32; Luke 23:35-37)

17. The chief priests mock Jesus claiming, “He could save others but He can’t save Himself.” (Mark 15:31)

18. The soldiers mock Him saying, “If you’re really the King of the Jews – save yourself.” (Luke 23:36-37)

19. One of the thieves begins insulting Jesus, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us.” (Luke 23:39)

Friday between 11:00 A.M. and 12:00 noon
20. The other thief rebukes the first thief and asks Jesus to “remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:40-42)

21. Jesus gives His SECOND CRY FROM THE CROSS, “I tell you the truth; today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

22. Jesus gives His THIRD CRY FROM THE CROSS to His mother, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27)

23. At the sixth hour (12:00 noon) darkness covers the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 P.M.). (Mark 15:33)

Friday between 1:30 P.M. and 2:00 P.M.

24. Jesus gives HIS FOURTH CRY FROM THE CROSS, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46-47; Mark 15:34-36)

25. Jesus gives HIS FIFTH CRY FROM THE CROSS, “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28)

Friday between 2:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M.

26. Jesus drinks wine vinegar from a sponge. (John 19:29)

27. Jesus gives HIS SIXTH CRY FROM THE CROSS. “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

28. Jesus gives HIS SEVENTH AND FINAL CRY FROM THE CROSS, “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

29. Jesus bows His head and gives up His spirit. (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30)

30. The curtain in the temple is torn in two from top to bottom, and a severe earthquake takes place. (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45)

31. Tombs break open and the bodies of many people who had previously died are raised to life. (Matthew 27:52)

Friday 3:00 P.M. and following
32. The Roman centurion exclaims, “Surely, He was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39)

33. The multitude watching all of this beat their breasts and go away. (Luke 23:48)

34. The thieves’ legs are broken to make sure they are dead. (John 19:31-32)

35. They do not break Jesus’ legs, but a Roman soldier thrusts a spear into His side to make sure that He is dead also. (John 19:34)

36. Joseph of Arimathea takes the body, prepares it for burial along with Nicodemus, and lays it in the tomb. (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; John 19:38-42)

37. The tomb is secured by a Roman seal and a guard is posted. (Matthew 27:65-66)