Last Hours Before The Crucifixion of Jesus
Bible study on the crucifixion.

You may often read about the last hours of Jesus' life before He was crucified. It is indeed sobering to meditate upon the love of Christ. He suffered that everyone coming to Him in believing obedience may have eternal life.

The Bible does not set forth the final events in Jesus' life in a single historical record. Below I have set forth the events leading up to the crucifixion of Christ in an approximate historical order. As you read this time line, meditate upon these events as if you were an observer of these events. And allow these thoughts to motivate you in service to God who gave His Son that we might live through Him. Note: Scriptures are suggested readings and not an exhaustive reference.

Thursday Afternoon:

• Preparation of Passover (Lk. 22:7-18).

Thursday Evening:

• Observes the Passover; Jesus washes apostles feet; Judas leaves the supper; Jesus foretells of His betrayal and Peter's Denial; Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper; Jesus' final discourse (Lk. 22:7-18; Jn. 13:1-38; Matt. 26:26-29; Jn. 14-17).

Thursday Late Evening:

• Jesus and apostles walk to Gethsemane (Jn. 18:1).

Thursday Night:

• Jesus prays in the garden; Judas betrays Jesus & He is arrested; all forsake Jesus (Matt. 26:36-56; Jn. 18:2-11).

Friday Pre-Dawn:

• First stage of Jewish trial, Jesus before Annas; Peter's first denial (Jn. 18:12-23).

Friday Early Dawn:

• Second stage of Jewish trial, Jesus before Caiaphas & Sanhedrin (Jn. 18:24; Matt. 26:57-68).

Friday Late Dawn:

• Third stage of Jewish trial, Jesus formerly condemned by the Sanhedrin and led to Pilate; Peter denies Christ two more times (Lk. 22:58-23:1).

Friday Sunrise Begins:

• First stage of Roman trial, Jesus before Pilate (Jn. 18:28-38).

Friday Sunrise Continues:

• Second stage of Roman trial, Jesus before Herod (Lk. 23:6-12).

Friday Sunrise:

• Third stage of Roman trial, Pilate has Jesus scourged and sentences Him to death (Jn. 18:39-19:16; Matt. 27:15-30).

Friday Morning:

• Judas remorseful, hangs himself (Matt. 27:3-10).

Friday 8:00 - 8:30 AM:

• Jesus led out to be crucified (Matt. 27:31-34).

Friday 9:00 AM:

• Jesus crucified (Matt. 27:35-56; Mk. 15:24-41; Lk. 23:33-49; Jn. 19:17-37).

Friday 3:00 PM:

• Jesus dies (Matt. 27:35-56; Mk. 15:24-41; Lk. 23:33-49; Jn. 19:17-37).

Friday Afternoon:

• Jesus buried (Matt. 27:57-66; Jn. 19:38-42).