Crucifixion of Jesus

The execution of Jesus of Nazareth by Roman crucifixion at Golgotha (Place of the Skull) outside Jerusalem on Friday during Passover (c. 30 or 33 CE), following his trial before Pontius Pilate. After being flogged and mocked by Roman soldiers who placed a crown of thorns on his head and a purple robe on him, Jesus carried his cross toward Golgotha but Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry it when Jesus collapsed. At Golgotha, soldiers crucified Jesus between two criminals, nailing him to the cross around 9 AM (“the third hour”), and casting lots for his garments.

Jesus spoke seven sayings from the cross, including “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (to the repentant criminal), “Woman, behold your son” (entrusting Mary to John), “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (quoting Psalm 22), “I thirst,” “It is finished,” and “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Darkness covered the land from noon to 3 PM, when Jesus cried out and died. At that moment, the temple veil tore in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, and rocks split. A Roman centurion declared, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin and secret disciple, requested Jesus’s body from Pilate. He and Nicodemus wrapped the body in linen with spices and laid it in Joseph’s new tomb cut from rock, rolling a large stone across the entrance before the Sabbath began at sundown. This execution became the central event of Christian faith, understood as God’s atoning sacrifice for human sin. Islam teaches that Jesus was not crucified but was raised to heaven, with someone else crucified in his place (Quran 4:157-158).