The Crucifixion of Jesus: A Complete Teaching from the Four Gospels

Many people find it confusing to understand exactly what happened during the crucifixion of Jesus because the story is spread across Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each Gospel emphasizes different aspects. Some include Jesus’ prayers, others His words, the actions of the soldiers, the mocking of the crowd, or His interactions with the disciples. Reading only one Gospel can leave gaps, making it hard to grasp the full picture. In this teaching, I am combining all four accounts into one continuous narrative. I will include every significant detail, every word Jesus spoke, His actions, the responses of others, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the final events leading to His burial.

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

After the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray (Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46). Jesus took Peter, James, and John further into the garden and said to them, “Sit here while I go over there to pray” (Matthew 26:37). He became deeply troubled and sorrowful. He said, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Mark 14:34).

Jesus went a little farther and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). His anguish was so intense that His sweat fell like drops of blood to the ground (Luke 22:44). He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. He said, “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Matthew 26:40-41). He went away a second time to pray with the same words and returned to find them sleeping again. He prayed a third time and then came back to His disciples (Matthew 26:44).

The Arrest of Jesus

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived with a crowd carrying swords and clubs sent by the chief priests and elders (Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:3-12). Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Jesus asked, “Whom do you seek?” They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said, “I am He.” When He said this, they drew back and fell to the ground (John 18:4-6).

Peter, seeing what was happening, drew a sword and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear. Jesus said, “Put your sword away. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (Matthew 26:51-54, John 18:10-11). Jesus was seized and bound and taken first to Annas and then to Caiaphas, the high priest (John 18:13, Matthew 26:57).

Jesus Before the Jewish Leaders

The Sanhedrin gathered to accuse Jesus (Matthew 26:59-68, Mark 14:55-65, Luke 22:66-71, John 18:19-24). False witnesses came forward, but their testimonies did not agree. Jesus remained mostly silent. The high priest asked, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?” Jesus replied, “You have said so. But from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64).

The high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy. What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They condemned Him to death (Matthew 26:65-66). Peter, outside in the courtyard, denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, John 18:15-27). When he realized what he had done, he wept bitterly.

Jesus Before Pilate

Because the Jewish leaders could not carry out executions, they brought Jesus to Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:11-26, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23:1-25, John 18:28-40). Pilate asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so. My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).

Pilate sought to release Him and offered to punish Him lightly, but the crowd demanded Jesus be crucified and chose Barabbas to be released instead (Matthew 27:15-23, Mark 15:6-14, Luke 23:13-23). Pilate washed his hands to show he was innocent of Jesus’ blood and handed Him over to be crucified (Matthew 27:24-26).

Mocking and the Journey to the Cross

The soldiers stripped Jesus, put a purple robe on Him, and twisted together a crown of thorns (Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:1-3). They mocked Him as “King of the Jews” and struck Him. Jesus carried His cross toward Golgotha, the place of the skull. Simon of Cyrene was compelled to carry it for Him (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26). Women followed, mourning, and Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children” (Luke 23:27-31).

The Crucifixion

At Golgotha, Jesus was offered wine mixed with gall, but He did not drink it (Matthew 27:34). He was nailed to the cross, hands and feet pierced. Above His head was written: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37, Mark 15:26, Luke 23:38, John 19:19). Soldiers cast lots for His clothing (John 19:23-24).

The passersby mocked Him, saying, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:39-40, Mark 15:29-30, Luke 23:35). The chief priests and teachers of the law said, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Messiah, the chosen one of God” (Matthew 27:41-43).

One criminal mocked Him, but the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God? We are punished justly, but this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:39-43).

From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness covered the land (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44). Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34). He said, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28). A sponge soaked in sour wine was offered (John 19:29). Even in suffering, Jesus cared for His mother. He said to Mary and John, “Woman, here is your son,” and to John, “Here is your mother” (John 19:26-27).

The Death of Jesus

Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30) and prayed, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). He bowed His head and gave up His life. Immediately, the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45). The earth shook, rocks split, and many tombs opened (Matthew 27:51-53). The centurion and those with him said, “Surely this man was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47).

The Burial of Jesus

Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body (Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-53, John 19:38-42). He wrapped Jesus in a clean linen cloth and placed Him in a new tomb carved out of rock. Women who had followed Jesus from Galilee prepared spices and ointments and observed where He was laid (Matthew 27:61, Mark 15:47, Luke 23:55-56, John 19:39-42).

In Summary

By combining all four Gospels, we see the full story of the crucifixion. Jesus endured betrayal, false accusations, humiliation, extreme suffering, and death to fulfill prophecy and redeem humanity. He showed obedience, compassion, and care even in His final hours. Each Gospel provides pieces, but together they reveal the depth of His sacrifice. Understanding this unified account allows us to grasp fully the power, love, and purpose of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.