Event
The Crucifixion
“It is finished”
Jesus is nailed to the cross at Golgotha, between two criminals, forgiving His executioners. As He says “It is finished” and gives up His spirit, the veil of the temple is torn, and the way to God is opened (John 19).
The cruelest execution
Crucifixion was a Roman penalty for slaves and rebels, designed to humiliate. Death came by slow asphyxiation, over hours.
The seven sayings
From the cross, Jesus speaks seven times: forgiveness for his executioners, a promise to the thief, care for his mother, the cry “why have You forsaken Me,” “I am thirsty,” “It is finished” and the surrender of his spirit.
The torn veil
At the moment of his death, the temple veil, which separated the Holy of Holies, is torn from top to bottom: access to God is now open.
Did you know?
- The temple veil was about 18 meters (60 ft) tall and was torn “from top to bottom.” Matthew 27:51
- Psalm 22, written centuries earlier, describes pierced hands and feet and garments divided by lot. Psalm 22:16–18
- Tacitus confirms it: Christ was executed by Pilate under Tiberius. Tacitus, Annals 15.44
Where to read in the Bible
- John 19:17–30
Connections
- linked to Passover · cross-reference · 1 Corinthians 5:7
- linked to The sacrifice of Isaac · cross-reference · Genesis 22:8
- linked to Isaiah · cross-reference · Isaiah 53:5
- linked to The bronze serpent · cross-reference · John 3:14
- in Golgotha · stated in the text · John 19:17
- in Passover · cross-reference · John 19:14
- linked to The 7 sayings on the cross · stated in the text · John 19:30