Jesus' Final Hours and Path to the Cross

Jesus' Final Hours and Path to the Cross

 Introduction

​

1. What a rare and awe-inspiring privilege to see and walk in the very footsteps of Jesus during His last hours and crucifixion.

​

2. We're going to walk in what the historical and archaeological evidence reveals is the authentic path Jesus took to the cross.

3. We'll relive and see from the Bible the events He experienced at each place.

​

4. These are the places we'll visit on this tour.

​

• Cave of Gethsemane ~ The place Jesus and His disciples were staying the night Jesus was arrested. From here, Jesus would go to the Upper Room for the Passover and return.

​

• Gethsemane ~ The place where Jesus sweated drops of blood in agony and was arrested.

​

• Kidron Valley ~ We'll walk through it on our way to the House of Caiaphas. It's also the place where God will judge the nations at the end of the Tribulation Period, and the blood will flow as deep as a horse's bridle.

​

• House of Caiaphas ~ The place where Jesus was tried before the High Priest and religious leaders. He was also beaten, abused, and spent the night in a dungeon.

​

• The Upper Room ~ The place where Jesus ate the Last Supper before going to Gethsemane.

​

• Pilate's Palace ~ The place where Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate and condemned to crucifixion.

​

• Via Dolorosa (Painful Path) ~ The route Jesus took to Golgotha, carrying His cross, from Pilate's Palace.

​

• Jaffa Gate ~ Gate leading into Jerusalem going to Golgotha.

​

• Gennath Gate (Garden Gate) ~ Gate leading outside Jerusalem going to Golgotha.

​

• Golgotha ~ The Place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again.

​

5. This will be a unique and sobering experience.

​

Historical Background

1. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ were real events that happened in history.

2. They were prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament.

3. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection (1 Cor. 15:6).

​

4. Soon after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, Christians began setting apart the holy sites and venerating them. Therefore, these sites were not lost or forgotten.

5. Within decades of Christ’s resurrection, Roman and Jewish historians wrote about Jesus and the events surrounding Him.

6. There is more evidence regarding Christ’s existence than Julius Caesar.

7. No other person has changed history like Christ did.

8. Christ’s disciples were willing to die for their faith in Him.

9. Throughout history, and today, billions of people confess Christ as their Savior, and proclaim that He lives within them and has changed their lives.

Places of Interest

1. Mount of Olives

​

2. Temple Mount

3. Upper Room

4. Cave of Gethsemane

5. Gethsemane

​

6. Kidron Valley

7. House of Caiaphas

8. Pilate's Palace

​

9. Herod Antipas Palace

​

10. Via Dolorosa

​

11. Jaffa Gate

12. Gennath Gate (Garden Gate)

13. Golgotha - Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Jesus' Final Hours and Path to the Cross

The Upper Room (6:00 pm)

​

1. Jesus eats the Passover Meal with His disciples.

Luke 22:11–13: And tell the master of the house, “The Teacher says to you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

​

2. The Passover meal began with Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.
John 13:1–5: Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

3. Christ taught about true love and servanthood.
John 13:12–16: When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 

4. Christ instituted the New Covenant at the Passover Meal.
Matthew 26:26–29: Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

​

5. Judas prepares to betray Jesus.

John 13:26-27: Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

​

Luke 22:4-6: And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

​

This meeting between Judas and the religious leaders most likely took place at the House of Caiaphas, the High Priest.

​

From the Upper Room, Jesus and His disciples would walk down to Gethsemane.

​

Points of Interest

• The Upper Room First Floor​

  • King David’s Tomb ~ This is just a memorial place, as Scripture says David was buried in the City of David (1 Kings 2:10).​

  • Modern-day synagogue​

  • Torah Ark Niche ​

  • Large stones in the Torah Ark Niche of the Judeo-Christian Church​

  • Large stones from the walls of the Judeo-Christian Church

​

• The Upper Room Second Floor​

  • Crusader remains.

​

• ​​​Viewing Platform Above the Upper Room

  • Temple Mount

  • Golgotha - Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Gethsemane Cave Grotto (8:00 pm)

​

1. After the Passover Meal, Jesus and His disciples went to a cave near Gethsemane.

Luke 21:37-38: Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

​

Points of Interest

• Temple Mount 

​

• Eastern Gate

​

• Mount of Olives

​

• Triumphal Entry

​

• Church of Dominus Flevit

​

• Kidron Valley

​

• The name Gethsemane comes from the Hebrew words "gat," meaning " press," and "shemanim," meaning "oil."

"

• So, it was a place for pressing olives into olive oil. It was cool and shady, the perfect place to work during the hot fall harvest days.

​

• To the right of the right-hand altar is a hole in the wall. It is just the right height to hold one end of a wooden beam, which, when weighted at the other end, presses down on crushed olives piled in loosely woven baskets.

​

• It wasn't in use during the Passover, which happened in the spring. Therefore, it served as sleeping quarters for Jesus and His followers.

​

• It was set aside and venerated shortly after Jesus' crucifixion.

• This is the most likely place Jesus spent His last moments with the disciples before being arrested and crucified.

​

Gethsemane (8:30 pm)

When people hear the word Gethsemane, they usually think of a garden. But Gethsemane wasn’t a garden. The word actually means olive press, not olive grove. It seems that everyone in Jesus’ time understood that Gethsemane was a cave—a location where olive oil was produced. In fact, the first time that we are aware of anyone using the term “Garden of Gethsemane” was around 1100 AD. 

1. Jesus began his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Matthew 26:36–38: Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me."

2. Christ’s sweat became like great drops of blood.

Luke 22:43-44: And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

3. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane very late at night.
Matthew 26:47: While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

​

Luke 22:47-51: While he was still speaking, a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

Points of Interest

• It was an olive orchard with an olive press. As a result, it became known as the Garden of Gethsemane.

​

• How fitting it would be called Gethsemane, as Christ would be pressed here beyond measure. Even to the point of His sweat becoming like drops of blood.

​

• Ancient Olive Trees (their roots date to the time of Jesus)

​

• Mount of Olives

​

• Church of All Nations

  •  The church's roof has 12 domes, one for each country that donated to its construction costs.​​

  • The dim lighting in the church evokes the night when Christ prayed in agony. ​

  • Glass plates on the floor of the church, where mosaics of the Byzantine Church from the 4th Century can be seen.

  • Rock upon which Jesus prayed.​

Kidron Valley (9:00 pm)

​

The Kidron Valley lies just east of Jerusalem’s Old City, between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives. It stretches about 20 miles to the Dead Sea. Traditionally linked with the Bible’s “Valley of Jehoshaphat,” it contains many ancient tombs carved into the rock.

​​

Jesus would have crossed this valley many times when traveling between the Mount of Olives and the Temple Mount.

​

On the night of His arrest, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with His disciples on His way to Gethsemane. After His arrest, He was taken back toward Jerusalem to appear before Annas.

1. For the Christian believer, the most poignant moment in the Kidron Valley’s history occurred on the night before the crucifixion of Jesus.

• After observing the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples left the upper room to pray. John 18:1 records: "When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered."

​

• The historical and topographical context of this single verse is staggering. It was the night of Passover. According to the Jewish Mishnah, a channel ran from the base of the Temple Mount's altar down into the Kidron Valley. The excess blood from the thousands of Passover lambs sacrificed in the Temple drained through this conduit, spilling directly into the brook Kidron.

​

• When Jesus crossed the valley that night, the waters would have been visibly stained crimson. The true Lamb of God quite literally stepped over the blood of the earthly sacrificial lambs as He made His way up the Mount of Olives into the Garden of Gethsemane.

​

​​2. God will gather the nations to the Kidron Valley at the end of the Tribulation and judge them.
Joel 3:1–3: For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, 3 and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it.

3. It is the Winepress of God’s wrath. 
Revelation 14:14–20: Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.  17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle [5 feet or 1.75 meters], for 1,600 stadia [200 miles, or 300 kilometers].

The flow of the river of blood from the Kidron Valley will run east toward the Dead Sea, then go south toward the Red Sea.

​

The ancient monuments known as the Tombs of Absalom and Zechariah stand in this valley. We cannot say for certain whether Jesus saw both monuments as they appear today.

House of Caiaphas (9:30 pm to 6:30 am next day)

​

1. Jesus was brought before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the High Priest. 
John 18:12–13: So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

2. Christ was brought before Caiaphas, the High Priest.
Matthew 26:57: Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.

3. While at the house of Caiaphas, Peter denied Christ 3 times.
Luke 22:61–62: And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times." 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

4. The religious leaders condemned and beat Jesus at the house of Caiaphas.
Matthew 26:65–68: Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?" They answered, "He deserves death." 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?"

5. Judas, the disciple who betrayed Christ, hanged himself.

Matthew 27:3–5: Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." They said, "What is that to us? See to it yourself." 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.

​

6. Christ most likely spent the rest of the night in a dungeon at the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest.

​

Points of Interest

​

• Akeldama Monastery ~ The site known as the Field of Blood. The religious leaders purchased this property with the money Judas threw at their feet just before he went and hanged himself. 

​​

• Hinnom Valley ~ Place of idol worship in the Old Testament and Gehenna in the New Testament. 

​

• Guard room where Jesus was beaten. It overlooks the dungeon where Jesus spent the night. It has rings in the walls where Jesus would have been tied up and beaten. ​

​

• Dungeon where it’s believed Christ was placed the night after He was tried and condemned by Caiaphas. 

​​

• Ruins and excavations outside the church at ground level.

​​

• A stairway beside the church that was used for ascending and descending from Mount Zion to the Kidron Valley. 

  • Jesus and His disciples most likely used them as they traveled from the Upper Room, where they had celebrated the Passover meal, to the Garden of Gethsemane.

​

• In the church courtyard is a statue that recalls the events of Peter’s denial of Jesus. It shows Peter, the rooster that crowed, a maid, a servant, and a Roman soldier.

​​

• Model of Jerusalem ~ 600 AD.

Pilate's Palace (7:00 am)

​

1. Early the next morning Christ was brought before Pilate to be judged.

John 18:28-29: Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 Therefore Pilate came out to them and said, "What accusation are you bringing against this Man?" 

​

Luke 23:1-6: Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. 4 Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” 5 But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” 6 On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

2. Jesus appeared before King Herod (Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great).
Luke 23:5–7: But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place." 6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.

Luke 23:11: And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.

3. Jesus is returned to Pilate, and the Jewish leaders seek the death penalty for Jesus by crucifixion.

John 18:30-31: They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not a criminal, we would not have handed Him over to you." 31 So Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law." The Jews said to him, "We are not permitted to put anyone to death." 32 This happened so that the word of Jesus which He said, indicating what kind of death He was going to die, would be fulfilled."

4. Pilate talks with Jesus inside his palace.

John 18:33: Therefore Pilate entered the Praetorium again, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, "You are the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered, "Are you saying this on your own, or did others tell you about Me?"

5. Pilate comes outside his palace and speaks again with the Jewish leaders.

John 18:38: And after saying this, he came out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no grounds at all for charges in His case.

6. Jesus appeared again before Pilate, and his wife warned him about condemning Jesus. Barabbas was released.

Matthew 27:19–23: While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 But the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Crucify Him!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”

7. Pilate has Jesus flogged inside his palace.

John 19:1–3: So Pilate then took Jesus and had Him flogged. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on His head, and put a purple cloak on Him; 3 and they repeatedly came up to Him and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapped Him in the face again and again.

8. Pilate comes out again with Jesus to the Jewish leaders after flogging Jesus.

John 19:4–7: And then Pilate came out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing Him out to you so that you will know that I find no grounds at all for charges in His case." 5 Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold, the Man!" 6 So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they shouted, saying, "Crucify, crucify!" Pilate said to them, "Take Him yourselves and crucify Him; for I find no grounds for charges in His case!" 7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and by that law He ought to die, because He made Himself out to be the Son of God!"

9. Pilate goes back inside his palace and speaks with Jesus again.  John 19:8–12: Therefore, when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; 9 and he entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to Him, "Are you not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" 11 Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over Me at all, if it had not been given to you from above; for this reason, the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin." 12 As a result of this, Pilate made efforts to release Him; but the Jews shouted, saying, "If you release this Man, you are not a friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar!"

10. Pilate comes out again with Jesus and speaks to the Jewish Leaders.

John 19:13: Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

11. Pilate condemned Jesus to death by crucifixion.
Matthew 27:24–26: So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." 25 And all the people answered, "His blood be on us and on our children!" 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

​

Points of Interest

​

1. Herod-Pilate's Palace Complex

• Palace

• Fortress Towers

• Courtyard

• Soldier Barracks

• Stone Walls from the Time of Jesus

2. Dirt Level Before Excavation of This Site

• In the 1970s, the city's western wall was excavated from the Jaffa Gate to the southwest corner.

3. Open Country

• Simon of Cyrene is obligated to carry Christ's cross. He is coming from outside the city when this takes place.

Luke 23:26: And when they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

4. Entrance Walls and Steps Leading Up to Pilate's Palace and the Judgment Seat Area

5. Preserved Stone Pavement (Gabbatha)

• John 19:13: Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

6. Gate Entrance to Pilate’s Palace

​

7. Steps Leading Up to the Gate Entrance to Pilate's Palace​​

​​

8. Preserved Wall of Herod the Great

9. Bema Seat – Judgment Seat

• John 19:13: Therefore, when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Pavement—but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

​

10. Bema Seat Stone

​

11. Additional Level with Stone Pavement

Via Dolorosa (8:30 am)

1. Jesus was led out to be crucified at Golgotha.
John 19:16–17: So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.

2. Because Christ’s body was so physically damaged, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry Christ’s cross the rest of the way.
Matthew 27:32–33: As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull).”

​

3. Jaffa Gate

It's very likely Jesus was led inside Jerusalem at this point and then led out at the Gennath Gate. This was likely because the Romans always sought to inflict maximum humiliation on their criminals.

4. Gennath Gate

On the way to Golgotha, there is a gate leading out of Jerusalem that would have existed in the time of Jesus.

​

Golgotha - Church of the Holy Sepulchre (9:00 am)

The amount of evidence supporting this place as Golgotha, the place Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead, is overwhelming. Here are just a few to mention.

​

• There are 2,000 years of archaeological evidence, including eyewitness accounts, a temple to the false god Jupiter and Venus built over it by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 135 AD, churches, buildings, and coins, that support it.​​​

​

• ​There are 11 eyewitness historical accounts from 60 to 650 AD that place Golgotha at this current site.

  • Josephus Flavius ~ Jewish historian.

  • Roman Emperor Hadrian ~ Who built a temple to Jupiter and Venus over Golgotha.

  • Melito of Sardis ~ The first to compile the Christian Old Testament canon.

  • Origen of Alexandria

  • Jerome ~ Who translated the Hebrew and Greek Bibles into Latin.

  • Eusebius ~ Historian and Bishop from Caesarea Maritima.

  • Roman Emperor Constantine

  • Constantine's mother, Helena.

  • Pilgrim of Bardot

  • Basilica of Santa Pudenziana in Rome

  • Madaba Map in Jordan

​

• All archaeologists support this site as the location of Golgotha.

​

• Garden Tomb was proposed as an alternative site in 1850 AD.

  • It's an Old Testament tomb dating to around 700 BC.

  • It has no ruins, as eyewitnesses have mentioned.

  • No archaeologists support it as Golgotha.

​

1. Station 10: Jesus is stripped of his robe.

John 19:24: When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

2. Station 11: Jesus is nailed to the cross.

Luke 23:33: When the soldiers came to the place called “The Skull,” they nailed Jesus to a cross. They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus.

​

3. Jesus was crucified at 9:00 Friday morning on Passover day.

Mark 15:25: And it was the third hour (9:00 am) when they crucified him.

Station 12: Jesus is crucified on the cross.

John 19:18-19: There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. 19 Now Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written: “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Remarkably, the first words recorded from Jesus' mouth are "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34).

​

The Apostle John was the only apostle present at Jesus' crucifixion. The rest of them were in hiding, probably in the Upper Room. John and Jesus’ mother, Mary, were both close enough to the cross to hear Jesus tell Mary, His mother, “Behold your son” (John 19:26), and to John, “Behold your mother” (John 19:27).

Christ on the Cross.
Matthew 27:34–37: They offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

Jesus was mocked by those who passed by, the chief priests, scribes, and elders. 
Matthew 27:38–43: Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"

One of the robbers who was crucified with Christ embraced Him as his Savior.
Luke 23:39–43: One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus dies on the Cross (3:00 pm).
Luke 23:46–49: Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

From noon until 3:00 pm, darkness fell on the earth. 
Matthew 27:45–50: Now from the sixth hour [12:00 pm] there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour [3:00 pm]. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah." 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 

​

There was an earthquake, the temple curtain was torn in two, and many people rose from the dead and appeared to others.
Matthew 27:51–53: And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

​

Beside the crucifixion spot, the rock of Golgotha shows a split from this earthquake. The split rock of Golgotha can also be seen below the crucifixion site.

Station 13 ~ Shrine of Mary

• Between stations 11 and 12 of the Via Dolorosa is a shrine of Mary, the mother of Jesus, with a spear piercing her heart.

• This is also the believed place where the body of Jesus was taken down from the Cross. 

• Luke 2:34-35: And Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

4. Stone of Unction ~ Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. 
John 19:38–42: After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

​

• Gennath Gate means Garden Gate

​

• Recent excavations beneath the church floor have revealed garden soil and vegetation.

5. Station 14: Jesus is placed in the tomb (6:00 pm), and rises from the dead three days later.

The tomb of Jesus was secured by the Romans.
Matthew 27:65–66: Pilate said to them, "You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

​

Jesus rises from the dead (early Sunday morning).

Matthew 28:1-10: After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

​

John 20:1-18: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

​

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene.
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

​

Faith Lesson

1. Christ was beaten on at least 3 occasions, and His body was so damaged that He couldn't even carry His cross.

2. Christ suffered both physically and spiritually for us. What He suffered spiritually was far more than His physical suffering.

3. He suffered the penalty of eternity in hell for each person who trusts in Him as their Savior.
Isaiah 53:5: But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

4. Words fail to express what Christ went through for us so He could restore us to Himself and have an eternal relationship with us. What about us? Do we comprehend and appreciate this reality?.

5. Because of His great sacrifice, we can have our sins forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life. Have you received Christ as your Lord and Savior?