What happened at the crucifixion of Jesus?

The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is a pivotal event recorded in all four Gospels. The chief priests of Israel falsely accused the Son of God, and together with Pilate, sentenced Him to death by crucifixion (Luke 23). This method of execution was regarded as one of the most horrific forms of capital punishment, and for a Jew, it carried even greater horror due to the curse associated with it, as stated in Deuteronomy 21:23. Crucifixion was not merely a means of execution; it was a public spectacle designed to instill fear and deter others from similar offenses. The significance of this event extends beyond the physical pain endured by Jesus; it encompasses the spiritual implications of His sacrifice for humanity.

The process began with scourging. Pilate ordered that Jesus be scourged, hoping to evoke pity and avoid a demand for further punishment (John 19:1). The beatings administered by Roman soldiers were notoriously brutal, leaving severe lacerations across His body. After the scourging, Jesus was forced to carry His own cross to the place of execution, Golgotha (John 19:17). This journey was not only physically exhausting but also emotionally tormenting, as He bore the weight of humanity’s sins. The path to Golgotha was a grim reminder of the suffering that awaited Him, yet He persevered, embodying the ultimate act of love and sacrifice.

The Process of Crucifixion

At the crucifixion site, Roman soldiers drove nails into Christ’s hands and feet (John 20:25), causing Him excruciating pain. This act fulfilled the prophecy, “Dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet. I may tell all My bones: they look and stare upon Me. They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture” (Psalm 22:16-18). The soldiers casting lots for His garments (Matthew 27:35) added to the humiliation He endured on the cross. The physical agony was compounded by the emotional and spiritual weight of the sins He bore.

Christ hung on the cross for approximately six hours (Mark 15:24-25; Matthew 27:45). During this time, He uttered words of love, comfort, and forgiveness, including, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). However, His prayer alone would not absolve His tormentors or humanity without genuine repentance. His willingness to forgive, even in the face of brutality, exemplifies the depth of His love. Each word spoken from the cross carried profound significance, revealing His heart and mission.

The Depth of His Suffering

As Jesus experienced the full wrath of God on sinners and the separation it causes, He cried out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” meaning, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:45, 46). These words were prophesied in Psalm 22:1. Through His crucifixion, Christ tasted the second death for every sinner. This moment of abandonment was perhaps the most painful aspect of His suffering, as He bore the weight of sin and separation from the Father. The anguish He felt was not just physical; it was a spiritual desolation that echoed throughout eternity.

Then, Christ said, “I thirst!” (John 19:28). They filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and offered it to His mouth. This act fulfilled another prophecy: “Reproach hath broken My heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave Me also gall for My meat; and in My thirst, they gave Me vinegar to drink” (Psalm 69:20, 21). His thirst was not merely physical but also represented a spiritual thirst for reconciliation with humanity. This moment highlights the depth of His sacrifice and the lengths He would go to restore the relationship between God and man.

The Final Moments

During the crucifixion, Jesus was placed between two criminals (Luke 23:32), fulfilling the prophecy, “He was numbered with the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). A group of four soldiers watched over Him (Matthew 27:36, 54), along with their centurion. Just before His death, the Son of God uttered, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46) and declared, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Thus, the Savior completed the work of saving mankind (John 4:34). As stated, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). His final words signified the completion of His mission and the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation. The phrase “It is finished” encapsulates the essence of His sacrifice, marking the end of the old covenant and the establishment of a new one.

The Significance of His Death

The Savior drank the last drops in the cup of human woe. He relied upon the evidence of His Father’s acceptance, understanding His justice, mercy, and great love. By faith, He rested in God, whom it had always been His joy to obey. As He committed Himself to the Father, the sense of the loss of His Father’s favor was lifted, and by faith, the Redeemer was victorious over all the powers of darkness. This victory was not just for Himself but for all of humanity, offering hope and redemption to those who believe. The crucifixion is not merely a historical event; it is the cornerstone of Christian faith, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice for sin.

At the end of the crucifixion, the Roman soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves crucified alongside Him. However, when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. The breaking of the legs of the crucified was intended to hasten death and relieve their suffering (John 19:31). The omission of breaking Jesus’ legs fulfilled a symbol (Exodus 12:46). Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out (John 19:32-34). This act symbolized the outpouring of His life for humanity and the establishment of a new covenant. The blood shed on the cross serves as the ultimate atonement for sin, bridging the gap between God and mankind.

The Impact of His Sacrifice

Jesus died of a broken heart (Luke 19:33), a result of His immense suffering and mental anguish. As He bore the sins of humanity, He experienced separation from His Holy Father, causing Him the greatest pain, which ruptured His heart. This led to the flow of blood and water from the wound made by the soldier’s spear (John 19:34). Through His crucifixion, Jesus Christ fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4, 5). His sacrifice opened the door for reconciliation between God and humanity. The impact of His death resonates through the ages, offering hope and salvation to all who accept Him.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).