Key Scripture Readings: Matthew 27:27-66; Mark 15:22-47; Luke 23:33-56; John 19:17-42
Fast Facts
- Jesus was crucified in a place called Golgotha. (Matthew 27:33). Golgotha was located just outside of Jerusalem.
- Jesus was crucified between two thieves.
- While hanging on the cross, the Lord was offered wine mixed with myrrh (a painkiller), but He refused it (Matthew 27:34).
- The soldiers divided Jesus’ clothes up amongst themselves. They cast lots for His undergarment (John 19:23-24).
- The crowds and religious leaders mocked Jesus as He hung on the cross (Luke 23:35).
- One of the two thieves asked Jesus for forgiveness and to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus told him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in paradise (Luke 23:46).
- While being mocked, Jesus said a prayer for His enemies (Luke 23:34). He also made provision for the Apostle John to care for His mother (John 19:25-27).
- At about the ninth hour (after hanging on the cross for around six hours), Jesus shouted, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani.”
- After drinking from a sponge soaked with wine and vinegar, Jesus cried out to God and died. Pilate placed a sign above Jesus on the cross (John 19:19-22).
- Several signs accompanied Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:45, 51-54). These things convinced the centurion that Jesus was God’s Son (Matthew 27:54; Luke 23:47).
- Since the Sabbath Day was approaching, the two thieves’ legs were broken to speed up their deaths. Jesus’ legs were not broken since He was already dead when examined.
- Joseph of Arimathea (a secret disciple) took Jesus’ body and buried it in a new tomb that he owned. Some women who were disciples of Jesus looked to see where the body was laid and made plans to return Sunday (Luke 23:55-56).
Study Questions
- What is significant about Golgotha? What does the name mean?
- Describe the two men Jesus was crucified between?
- What Old Testament prophecy did the casting of lots for Jesus’ garment fulfill?
- What did the crowds, chief priests and elders say to Jesus as He hung on the cross?
- What did one of the thieves ask Jesus to remember? How did the Lord respond?
- What lesson can we learn from Jesus’ prayer for His enemies in Luke 22:34?
- What does “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” mean?
- When looking at some of the final words spoken by Jesus, which ones stand out to you the most? Why?
- Why were the legs of Jesus not broken like the two thieves?
- List some of the signs that accompanied Jesus’ death.
