The Crucifixion
Jesus is beaten, mocked, and nailed to a cross between two thieves. In His final hours, He forgives His enemies and commits His spirit to the Father.
Luke 23:26-49, John 19:17-30
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The Story
They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means 'the place of the skull'). There they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him.
It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left.
Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'
One of the criminals hanging beside him hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!'
But the other criminal rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, but this man has done nothing wrong.' 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.'
Near the cross stood Jesus' mother Mary and the disciple whom he loved. When Jesus saw his mother there, 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.
At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'
Knowing that everything had now been finished, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.' He received the drink and said, 'It is finished.'
With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion saw what had happened, he praised God and said, 'Surely this was a righteous man.'
Jesus Dies on the Cross
Kids Version
The soldiers took Jesus to a hill called Golgotha. They nailed His hands and feet to a wooden cross and lifted it up.
It hurt SO much. But do you know what Jesus said?
'Father, FORGIVE them. They don't know what they're doing.'
Even while dying, Jesus forgave the people hurting Him.
Two criminals were crucified next to Jesus—one on each side. One of them made fun of Jesus. But the other one said, 'We deserve to be punished. But this man did nothing wrong!' Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when You're in Your kingdom.'
Jesus answered, 'Today, you will be with Me in paradise.'
Even while dying, Jesus saved someone!
Jesus saw His mother Mary crying nearby. He asked His friend John to take care of her.
At noon, the sky went DARK—in the middle of the day! It stayed dark for three hours.
Jesus cried out, 'My God, My God, why have You left Me?' Jesus was taking the punishment for all the sins of the whole world. It was like God had to turn away.
Finally, Jesus said, 'IT IS FINISHED.'
Then He died.
At that moment, the big curtain in the temple ripped from TOP to BOTTOM! This meant people could now come close to God because of what Jesus did.
A Roman soldier said, 'This really WAS God's Son!'
Jesus died for YOU. He took the punishment for all the bad things you've ever done—so you can be forgiven and be with God forever.
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Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Luke 23:26-49 (KJV)
26And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
27And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
32And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Calvary: or, The place of a skull
34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
35And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. earth: or, land
45And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
46And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
47Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
48And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
49And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Memory Verse
“And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.”
— Luke 23:26 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Crucifixion” in the Bible?
Jesus is beaten, mocked, and nailed to a cross between two thieves. In His final hours, He forgives His enemies and commits His spirit to the Father. This story is found in Luke 23:26-49, John 19:17-30.
Where is “The Crucifixion” found in the Bible?
“The Crucifixion” is found in Luke 23:26-49, John 19:17-30, in the book of Luke.
What can children learn from “The Crucifixion”?
This story teaches children about Sacrifice, Forgiveness, Salvation, Love. Soldiers nailed Jesus to a wooden cross. Even while dying, Jesus forgave them. He died to take the punishment for all the wrong things everyone has ever done.