Jesus - Crucifixion in the Gospels

Christian theology teaches Jesus' death provided the perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of all humankind

Collectively referred to as the Passion, Jesus' suffering and redemptive death by crucifixion are the central aspects of Christian theology concerning the doctrines of salvation and atonement. Thus making the crucifix, or cross, one of the defining symbols of Christianity.

Many people believe the gospels Mark, Matthew, Luke and John contain the actual words of Jesus. The comparison grid below compares the gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John as they record the same historical event, the crucifixion of Jesus, often with significant textual differences.

	Mark	Matthew	Luke	John
Crucifixion \| BEFORE
Pilate asks if Jesus or Barabbas be released?	Barabbas [MARK 15:6-7]	Barabbas [MATTHEW 27:15-16]	Barabbas [LUKE 23:18]	Barabbas [JOHN 18:38-40]
Crucifixion	Jesus handed over [MARK 15:20]	Jesus handed over [MATTHEW 27:31]	Jesus handed over [LUKE 23:25]	Jesus handed over [JOHN 19:16]
On way to Golgotha	No mention	No mention	Jesus speaks to women [LUKE 23:28-29]	No mention
Arrive at Golgotha	Jesus arrives [MARK 15:22]	Jesus arrives [MATTHEW 27:33]	Jesus arrives [LUKE 23:33]	Jesus arrives [JOHN 19:17]
Who carried the cross?	Simon of Cyrene [MARK 15:21]	Simon of Cyrene [MATTHEW 27:32]	Simon of Cyrene [LUKE 23:26]	Jesus [JOHN 19:17]
Crucifixion \| AFTER
Inscription on cross	"The King Of The Jews" [MARK 15:26]	"This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews" [MATTHEW 27:37]	"This is the King Of The Jews" [LUKE 23:38]	"Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews" [JOHN 19:19]
Crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head?	YES [MARK 15:17]	YES [MATTHEW 27:29]	No mention	YES [JOHN 19:2]
Who is present at the crucifixion?	Mary Magdalene Mary, mother of James the less and of Joses Salome Watch Jesus from afar [MARK 15:40-41]	Mary Magdalene Mary, mother of Jesus Mother of Zebedee children Watch Jesus from afar [MATTHEW 27:56]	Women are present, but not named Watch Jesus from afar [LUKE 23:49]	Mary Magdalene Mary, mother of Jesus Marys sister Mary, wife of Clopas Jesus talks to Mary, his mother (contrary to Roman practice) [JOHN 19:25-26]
Crucifixion time	Third hour (9:00am) [MARK 15:25]	Sixth hour [MATTHEW 27:35]	Sixth hour [LUKE 23:33]	After the Sixth hour [JOHN 19:14]
Crucifixion day	15th day of Nissan First day of Passover [MARK 14:17-25]	15th day of Nissan First day of Passover [MATTHEW 26:20-30]	15th day of Nissan First day of Passover [LUKE 22:14-23]	14th day of Nissan Day before Passover [JOHN 13:1]
	Mark, Matthew and Luke insist the Last Supper was a Passover Seder. Therefore the crucifixion occurred on the first day of Passover.			Crucifixion occurred on the eve of Passover
Other crucifixions	Two thieves on either side. No conversation [MARK 15:27]	Two thieves on either side taunt Jesus [MATTHEW 27:38]	Two malefactors [LUKE 23:33]	Two others [JOHN 19:18]
Do thieves mock Jesus?	YES [MARK 15:32]	YES [MATTHEW 27:44]	NO One thief mocks Jesus. The other asks to be remembered in his kingdom [LUKE 23:39-42]	No mention
Do passers-by mock Jesus?	YES [MARK 15:29]	YES [MATTHEW 27:39]	YES [LUKE 23:35]	No mention
What drink was Jesus offered?	Wine and myrrh. He tastes it, but does not drink [MARK 15:23]	Wine and gall. He tastes it, but does not drink [MATTHEW 27:34]	Vinegar (sour wine) offered by soldiers [LUKE 23:36]	Vinegar (sour wine). He drinks it [JOHN 19:29]
What were Jesus' last words?	"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" = "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" [MARK 15:34]	"Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" = "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [MATTHEW 27:46]	"Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit." [LUKE 23:46]	"It is finished." [JOHN 19:30]
How long was Jesus on cross?	6 hours Darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour (12 pm to 3 pm) [MARK 15:33]	6 hours Darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour (12 pm to 3 pm) [MATTHEW 27:45]	6 hours Darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour (12 pm to 3 pm) [LUKE 23:44]	No mention
What happened at point of his death?	Temple veil torn No earthquake [MARK 15:38]	Temple veil torn Huge earthquake, graves opened, saints resurrected [MATTHEW 27:51-53]	Temple veil torn No earthquake [LUKE 23:45]	No mention
Crucifixion \| AFTER
What do Roman soldiers say after the crucifixion?	"Truly this man was the son of God" [MARK 15:39]	"Truly this was the son of God" [MATTHEW 27:54]	"Truly this man was innocent" [LUKE 23:47]	No mention
What soldiers do to ensure Jesus is dead?	No mention	No mention	No mention	A soldier pierces Jesus' side with a spear; legs of others are broken [JOHN 19:31-37]
How does Pilate react to Jesus' death?	Pilate is surprised to hear that Jesus is dead in 6-hours of being nailed to the cross [MARK 15:44]	No mention	No mention	No mention
How did Jesus die after 6 hours on the cross?	Crucifixion was designed as a slow and painful means to death. Normally, a crucified person would take 3 to 7 days to die. The Romans would make a public example of the crucified person and leave them hanging for days or even weeks; so people could witness the ruthless nature of the Roman authorities
Burial In Tomb
Who is present at the burial?	Mary Magdalene Mary, mother of Joses [MARK 15:47]	Mary Magdalene "the other Mary" [MATTHEW 27:61]	Women are present but not named [LUKE 23:55-56]	No mention [JOHN 19:38-42]
Is Mary Magdalene at the burial?	YES [MARK 15:47]	YES [MATTHEW 27:61]	YES [LUKE 23:55]	No mention
What happened at the burial?	Joseph of Arimathaea asks Pilate for Jesus' body. Joseph wraps the body in a linen cloth, and buries Jesus in his own tomb. A stone is rolled over the door of the tomb			Joseph and Nicodemus wrap the body in a linen cloth with spices, and bury Jesus in a tomb [JOHN 19:37-42]
What happened at the burial?	[MARK 15:42-46]	[MATTHEW 27:57-60]	[LUKE 23:50-53]
Were guards placed at Tomb?	No mention	The Jews ask Pilate for guard. He gives a guard and seals Tomb [MATTHEW 27:62-66]	No mention	No mention
Who discovers the empty Tomb?	3 Women Mary Magdalene Mary, mother of James Salome [MARK 16:1]	2 Women Mary Magdalene "the other Mary" [MATTHEW 28:1]	3 Women Mary Magdalene Joanna Mary, mother of James "others with them" [LUKE 24:10-11]	1 Woman Mary Magdalene [JOHN 20:1]

Author: Guest • Updated: 21 May 2018

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Say, We believe in God and what was sent down to us, and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and what was given to Moses, Jesus and all the Prophets by their Lord
Quran 2:136

Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me
John 14:6

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I
John 14:28

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord
Deuteronomy 6:4

The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you mates from yourselves, and for the cattle (also) mates. By this means He creates you (in the wombs)
Quran 42:11

O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah
Quran 3:64

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me
John 5:30

Indeed, We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad), as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book (of Psalms)
Quran 4:163

Blessed be He Who has placed in the heaven big stars, and has placed therein a great lamp (sun), and a moon giving light. And He it is Who has put the night and the day in succession
Quran 25:61

He (Jesus) Himself stood in their midst and said to them, Peace be to you
Luke 24:36

O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of God. Indeed, God forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful
Quran 39: 53

Indeed, man is in loss, except those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and advise one another to truth and patience
Quran 103:1-3

The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord
Mark 12:29

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God
John 20:17

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Matthew 27:46

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
John 13:16

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind
Matthew 22:37

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
John 5:30

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
John 5:19

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me
Isaiah 49:9

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Jesus - Crucifixion in the Gospels

Christian theology teaches Jesus' death provided the perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of all humankind

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