Event New Testament
The crucifixion of Jesus
Also known as The cross, The Passion
Jesus was crucified outside Jerusalem at Golgotha under Pontius Pilate. He died after several hours on the cross and was buried in a nearby tomb before the Sabbath. The Gospels present His death as the sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Why it matters. The cross is the center of the Gospel. FaithGraph presents it quietly and reverently, with the evidence.
- Primary passages
- Dates
- AD 30 to 33 (approximate) (medium confidence, Passover-season Friday during Pilate's prefecture; AD 30 and AD 33 are the leading proposals)
The crucifixion took place under Pontius Pilate at Passover. Astronomical and calendrical arguments favor either AD 30 or AD 33; FaithGraph records the range and does not choose.
- Witnesses
Chronology confidence: medium
The four accounts differ in emphasis and in which sayings from the cross they record. FaithGraph lists the sayings by Gospel rather than merging them into a single script.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
Connections
The trial before Pilate precedes The crucifixion of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidencePilate hands Jesus over to be crucified and the soldiers lead Him away.
Evidence:The crucifixion of Jesus precedes The burial of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe burial follows the death the same evening, before the Sabbath.
Evidence:The crucifixion of Jesus precedes The resurrection of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe Gospels narrate the burial on the day of preparation and the empty tomb on the first day of the week.
Evidence:Jesus participates in The crucifixion of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe passion narratives in all four Gospels record the crucifixion of Jesus.
Evidence:John the apostle participates in The crucifixion of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe disciple whom Jesus loved stands at the cross and takes Jesus' mother into his home; Christian tradition identifies him with John.
Evidence:Mary Magdalene participates in The crucifixion of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceMary Magdalene is named among the women at the cross.
Evidence:Mary, mother of Jesus participates in The crucifixion of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJohn records Jesus' mother standing near the cross and being entrusted to the beloved disciple.
Evidence:Pontius Pilate participates in The crucifixion of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidencePilate presides over the trial and hands Jesus over to be crucified.
Evidence:Simon of Cyrene participates in The crucifixion of Jesus
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceSimon of Cyrene is compelled to carry the cross on the way to Golgotha.
Evidence:The crucifixion of Jesus occurs at Golgotha
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceAll four Gospels name the Place of the Skull as the site of the crucifixion. The site's modern location is disputed, the name is not.
Evidence:The crucifixion of Jesus develops the theme Covenant
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe cup at the supper is the new covenant in Jesus' blood, and Hebrews presents His death as the sacrifice that inaugurates it.
Evidence:The crucifixion of Jesus develops the theme Sacrifice and atonement
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe New Testament describes Jesus' death as an atoning sacrifice offered once for all.
Evidence:The crucifixion of Jesus develops the theme Sacrifice and atonement
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceJesus says His blood is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins, and the apostles describe the cross as a sacrifice for sin.
The crucifixion of Jesus explicitly fulfills Exodus 12:46
Explicit fulfillmentMedium confidenceJohn presents the unbroken bones as fulfillment of Scripture, and the Passover lamb rule is one of the two texts his words match; John has already called Jesus the Lamb of God.
Other responsible views
- Psalm 34 as the text: If John means Psalm 34:20 alone, the link to the Passover lamb is an echo rather than an explicit fulfillment.
The crucifixion of Jesus explicitly fulfills Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Explicit fulfillmentHigh confidenceThe New Testament explicitly applies Isaiah's suffering servant to the passion of Jesus. On the night of His arrest Jesus says that the words "He was numbered with the transgressors" must be fulfilled in Him; Philip explains the passage to the Ethiopian official as being about Jesus; Matthew cites it as fulfilled in His healing ministry; and 1 Peter describes the cross in its language.
The crucifixion of Jesus explicitly fulfills Psalms 2:1-2
Explicit fulfillmentHigh confidenceThe church's prayer states that the gathering of Herod, Pilate, Gentiles, and Israel against Jesus is what the psalm described.
Evidence:The crucifixion of Jesus explicitly fulfills Psalms 22:18
Explicit fulfillmentHigh confidenceJohn introduces the soldiers' act with the statement that it happened to fulfill the Scripture.
Evidence:The crucifixion of Jesus explicitly fulfills Psalms 69:21
Explicit fulfillmentHigh confidenceJohn says Jesus spoke of thirst to fulfill the Scripture and was given sour wine; Psalm 69 speaks of gall for food and vinegar for thirst, and Matthew records wine mixed with gall.
Other responsible views
- Which Scripture John means: John does not name the psalm. Psalm 69:21 is the usual identification because of the vinegar; some readers hear Psalm 22:15 as well.
The crucifixion of Jesus explicitly fulfills Zechariah 12:10
Explicit fulfillmentHigh confidenceJohn cites the passage as Scripture fulfilled at the piercing of Jesus' side.
Evidence: