Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  2000 Jesus Christ  »  2500 Jesus Christ, history of  »  2505 Jesus Christ, ascension of  »  2525 Jesus Christ, cross of

The death of Jesus Christ is of central importance to the Christian faith. Through Christ's death, sinners are reconciled to God and to their fellow human beings. Paul summarises the gospel as “the message of the cross”.

Jesus Christ foretold his death on the cross

Matthew 20:18-19 pp Mark 10:33-34 pp Luke 18:31-32 See also Matthew 26:2; John 3:14-15; John 8:28; John 12:32-33; John 18:32

The facts of Jesus Christ's death on the cross

Carrying Jesus Christ's cross

John 19:17 Though Jesus Christ began to carry his cross, the Romans soon forced Simon of Cyrene to continue with it. See also Matthew 27:32 pp Mark 15:21 pp Luke 23:26

Jesus Christ refused the comfort of wine, which would have lessened the pains of his suffering

Matthew 27:34 pp Mark 15:23

Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross

Luke 23:33 pp Matthew 27:35 pp Mark 15:24-25 pp John 19:18

Jesus Christ's words from the cross

See also Luke 23:34,43; John 19:26-27; Matthew 27:46 pp Mark 15:34; Psalm 22:1; Luke 23:46; John 19:28-30

Signs accompanying Jesus Christ's death on the cross

Darkness over the whole land for three hours:

Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33 pp Luke 23:44-45

The temple curtain torn from top to bottom:

Matthew 27:51 pp Mark 15:38 pp Luke 23:45; Matthew 27:52-53 the dead come back to life

People at the scene of the cross

The Roman centurion and his men:

Matthew 27:35-36,54 pp Mark 15:39 pp Luke 23:47

The two criminals crucified with Jesus Christ:

Matthew 27:38 pp Mark 15:27 pp Luke 23:32-33 pp John 19:18; Matthew 27:44; Luke 23:39-43 Matthew 27:39-43 pp Mark 15:29-32 pp Luke 23:35-37 people who insulted and mocked Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ's mother and other women:

Matthew 27:55-56 pp Mark 15:40-41 pp Luke 23:27-31 pp John 19:25; Luke 23:49 John 19:26-27 John

Responsibility for the cross

The cross as God's plan

Acts 2:23 See also Isaiah 53:10; Matthew 26:39 pp Mark 14:36 pp Luke 22:42; Matthew 26:42; John 14:30-31; Acts 4:25-28; Psalm 2:1-2; Revelation 13:8

The crowd's call for Jesus Christ's crucifixion

Matthew 27:21-22 pp Mark 15:12-14 pp Luke 23:18-21 pp John 19:15; Matthew 27:25; Acts 2:36; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15

Jewish and Roman leaders' responsibility

Matthew 27:1,20 pp Mark 15:11; Matthew 27:26 pp Mark 15:15 pp John 19:16; Luke 23:24-25; John 19:6-7; Acts 4:10; 1 Corinthians 2:8

The triumph of the cross

Colossians 2:15

The cross brings glory to Jesus Christ

John 17:1 Jesus Christ refers to his approaching death, the climax of his earthly life. See also John 12:28; John 13:31-32; John 17:5; Philippians 2:8-11; Hebrews 12:2; Revelation 5:8-14

The cross brings reconciliation

Ephesians 2:13-17 See also Romans 5:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Colossians 1:20

Identification with the crucified Christ releases believers from their old way of life

Galatians 2:20 See also Romans 6:5-13; Galatians 5:24-25; Galatians 6:14; Colossians 2:13-14

Jesus Christ's cross is central to the Christian message

1 Corinthians 2:2 See also Acts 2:23-24; Acts 3:13; Acts 5:30; Acts 13:27-29; Galatians 3:1

Jesus Christ's cross is the symbol of Christian discipleship

Matthew 16:24 pp Mark 8:34 pp Luke 9:23 See also Matthew 10:38; John 21:18-19

See also

2024  Christ, glory of
2057  Christ, obedience
2366  Christ, prophecies concerning
2372  Christ, victory
2410  cross, the
2530  Christ, death of
2570  Christ, suffering
6214  participation in Christ
6617  atonement in NT
6652  forgiveness
6684  mediator
6716  reconciliation
7950  mission of Christ