In the narrative of the crucifixion, the suffering of Jesus on the cross represents the pinnacle of his earthly sacrifice for humanity’s salvation. This profound moment in Christian theology encapsulates themes of redemption, love, and divine purpose. The following compilation explores Bible verses that illuminate the depth of Jesus’ agony on the cross, providing a reflection on his sacrifice and its transformative implications for believers.
Bible Verses about Jesus Suffering On The Cross
1. Matthew 27:46 – Jesus’ Cry of Abandonment
“About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’)” – Matthew 27:46
Cross-References
Psalm 22:1 – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?”
Mark 15:34 – “And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’).”
2. Acts 7:60 – Forgiveness on the Cross
“Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” – Acts 7:60
Cross-References
Matthew 5:44 – “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Isaiah 53:12 – “Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
3. John 19:30 – It is Finished
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” – John 19:30
Cross-References
Hebrews 9:12 – “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”
John 17:4 – “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”
Revelation 21:6 – “He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.’”
4. Mark 15:37 – Jesus’ Last Breath
“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.” – Mark 15:37
Cross-References
John 19:33 – “But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.”
5. Matthew 27:45 – Darkness Over the Land
“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.” – Matthew 27:45
Cross-References
Mark 15:33 – “At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.”
6. John 19:23-24 – Casting Lots for His Garments
“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. ‘Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’ This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, ‘They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.’ So this is what the soldiers did.” – John 19:23-24
Cross-References
Matthew 27:35 – “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
7. Luke 23:39-41 – The Penitent Thief
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’” – Luke 23:39-41
Cross-References
Matthew 27:44 – “In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”
Mark 15:32 – “Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe. Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”
Luke 23:42-43 – “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”
8. John 19:31-32 – The Breaking of The Legs
“Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other.” – John 19:31-32
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 – “If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day.”
Numbers 9:12 – “They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations.”
Psalm 34:20 – “He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.”
9. Matthew 27:51 – The Temple Curtain Torn
“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split.” – Matthew 27:51
Cross-References
Mark 15:38 – “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”
Hebrews 10:19-20 – “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.”
10. John 19:34 – The Piercing of Jesus’ Side
“Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.” – John 19:34
Cross-References
Zechariah 12:10 – “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child.”
1 John 5:6 – “This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood.”
Revelation 1:7 – “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him””
11. Luke 23:44-45 – Darkness and the Tearing of the Curtain
“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.” – Luke 23:44-45
Cross-References
Amos 8:9 – “‘In that day,’ declares the Sovereign Lord, ‘I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.’”
12. John 19:28 – Jesus’ Declaration of Thirst
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’” – John 19:28
Cross-References
Psalm 22:15 – “My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.”
John 4:14 – “But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
13. Mark 15:29-30 – Mocking by Passersby
“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!’” – Mark 15:29-30
Cross-References
Psalm 22:7 – “All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.”
Matthew 27:39-40 – “Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!’”
John 2:19 – “Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.'”
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14. Luke 23:36-37 – The Mocking by Soldiers
“The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’” – Luke 23:36-37
Cross-References
Matthew 27:34 – “There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.”
Mark 15:23 – “Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.”
15. Matthew 27:41-42 – Mockery by the Chief Priests
“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.’” – Matthew 27:41-42
Cross-References
Psalm 22:8 – “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”
Mark 15:31-32 – “In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself!'”
Luke 23:35 – “The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.'”
16. John 19:19-20 – The Inscription over His Head
“Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.” – John 19:19-20
Cross-References
Luke 23:38 – “There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Matthew 27:37 – “Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews.”
Mark 15:26 – “The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.”
17. Matthew 27:55-56 – The Witnessing Women
“Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.” – Matthew 27:55-56
Cross-References
Mark 15:40-41 – “Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome.”
Luke 23:49 – “But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.”
John 19:25 – “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
18. Luke 23:46 – Jesus’ Final Words
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” – Luke 23:46
Cross-References
Psalm 31:5 – “Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.”
Matthew 27:50 – “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”
19. John 19:26-27 – Jesus Cares for His Mother
“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” – John 19:26-27
Cross-References
Luke 2:34-35 – “Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.'”
Proverbs 31:28 – “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”
John 13:23 – “One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.”
20. Matthew 27:58-60 – The Burial of Jesus
“Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.” – Matthew 27:58-60
Cross-References
John 19:38-42 – “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.”
Mark 15:43-46 – “Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead.”
Luke 23:50-53 – “Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.”
21. Mark 15:21 – Simon of Cyrene
“A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.” – Mark 15:21
Cross-References
Matthew 27:32 – “As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.”
Luke 23:26 – “As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.”
Romans 16:13 – “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.”
22. John 19:14-15 – The Demand for Crucifixion
“It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. ‘Here is your king,’ Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted, ‘Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’ ‘Shall I crucify your king?’ Pilate asked. ‘We have no king but Caesar,’ the chief priests answered.” – John 19:14-15
Cross-References
Luke 23:21 – “But they kept shouting, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’”
Mark 15:13 – “‘Crucify him!’ they shouted.”
Matthew 27:22 – “‘What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ Pilate asked. They all answered, ‘Crucify him!’”
23. Matthew 27:27-28 – Mocking of the Soldiers
“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.” – Matthew 27:27-28
Cross-References
Mark 15:16-17 – “The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.”
John 19:2-3 – “The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they slapped him in the face.”
Isaiah 53:3 – “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.”
24. Luke 23:34 – Forgiveness to the Transgressors
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” – Luke 23:34
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 5:19 – “That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.”
Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
25. Matthew 27:48 – Jesus Offered Vinegar
“Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.” – Matthew 27:48
Cross-References
Psalm 69:21 – “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”
John 19:29 – “A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.”
Mark 15:36 – “Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.”
26. John 19:12 – Pilate’s Struggle with Jesus’ Fate
“From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, ‘If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.’” – John 19:12
Cross-References
Mark 15:14 – “‘Why? What crime has he committed?’ asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!'”
Luke 23:22 – “‘For the third time he spoke to them: ‘Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty.'”
27. Matthew 27:29-30 – The Mockery and Abuse of Jesus
“and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.” – Matthew 27:29-30
Cross-References
Isaiah 50:6 – “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.”
Mark 15:19 – “Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.”
John 19:3 – “and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they slapped him in the face.”
28. Luke 23:33 – The Place Called the Skull
“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.” – Luke 23:33
Cross-References
Matthew 27:33 – “They came to a place called Golgotha (which means ‘the place of the skull’).”
Mark 15:22 – “They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means ‘the place of the skull’).”
John 19:17 – “Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).”
29. John 18:38 – Pilate’s Question About Truth
“‘What is truth?’ retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against him.’” – John 18:38
Cross-References
John 19:4 – “Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, ‘Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.'”
Luke 23:4 – “Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, ‘I find no basis for a charge against this man.'”
30. Matthew 27:24 – Pilate Washes His Hands
“When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’” – Matthew 27:24
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 21:6-7 – “Then all the elders of the town nearest the body shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley, and they shall declare: ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done.'”
Isaiah 53:4–6 – “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
31. Psalm 22:18 – Dividing the Garments
“They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” – Psalm 22:18
Cross-References
Mark 15:24 – “And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.”
32. Luke 23:47 – Centurion’s Declaration
“The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’” – Luke 23:47
Cross-References
Matthew 27:54 – “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!'”
Mark 15:39 – “And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!'”
Acts 10:1-2 – “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.”
Also check out this article on: Bible verses about Dealing With Death (With Cross-References)
Final Thoughts
In reviewing these scriptures that recount the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross, we gain insight into the depth of his sacrifice and the multifaceted significance of the crucifixion in Christian theology. Jesus’ time on the cross is a narrative of agony balanced with divinely orchestrated compassion, underscored by forgiveness amidst derision. His declarations from the cross reveal both his human vulnerability and divine mission, offering salvation. The symbolic elements—darkness, the tearing of the temple curtain, and natural phenomena—highlight the cosmic impact of his death.
The presence of witnessing figures, including soldiers, women, and penitent thieves, remind us of humanity’s myriad responses to divine intervention. The crucifixion scene culminates not just in physical sacrifice but in the ultimate act of obedience and love. Through it, believers find the pathway to redemption and a model for understanding sacrificial love, ultimately magnifying the grace bestowed upon humanity. These scriptures inspire us to live in reflection of this extraordinary act, cherishing the reconciliation Jesus achieved through his willing suffering.