Crucifixion of Jesus Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids The 17th-century painting Christ Crucified by Diego Velázquez, held by the Museo del Prado in Madrid
Date	AD 30/33
Location	Jerusalem, Judea, Roman Empire
Participants	Jesus, Roman Army

The crucifixion of Jesus is a very important event in Christianity. It happened in ancient Judea, which was part of the Roman Empire, most likely around 30 or 33 AD. This event is described in the four main Gospels of the Bible. It is also mentioned in other parts of the New Testament and by other ancient writers.

Most historians agree that Jesus' crucifixion was a real historical event, even if they don't agree on every small detail.

According to the Gospels, Jesus was arrested and put on trial by a Jewish council. Then, Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor, sentenced him to be whipped and then crucified by the Romans.

Jesus' clothes were taken from him. He was offered a sour drink, possibly posca, after he said, "I am thirsty." He was then hung on a cross between two criminals. The Gospel of Mark says he died in the afternoon, around 3:00 p.m.

During this time, Roman soldiers put a sign on top of the cross. It said "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." The Gospel of John says this sign was written in three languages: Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. The soldiers also divided Jesus' clothes among themselves. They gambled for his special seamless robe.

The Gospel of John also says that after Jesus died, a soldier used a spear to pierce his side to make sure he was dead. The Bible says that blood and water came out of the wound. The Bible also describes seven things Jesus said while he was on the cross. It also mentions several amazing things that happened at that time.

Christians call Jesus' suffering and death on the cross the "Passion." This event is a central part of Christian theology. It helps explain how Christians believe people can be saved and forgiven for their sins.

Images for kids

A depiction of the Raising of the Cross, by Sebastiano Mazzoni, 17th century, Ca' Rezzonico
Bronzino's depiction of the crucifixion with three nails, no ropes, and a hypopodium standing support, c. 1545.
Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, medieval illustration from the Hortus deliciarum of Herrad of Landsberg, 12th century
Andrea di Bartolo, Way to Calvary, c. 1400. The cluster of halos at the left are the Virgin Mary in front, with the Three Marys.
The dead Christ with the Virgin, John the Evangelist and Mary Magdalene. Unknown painter of the 18th century
Crucifixion of Jesus on a two-beamed cross, from the Sainte Bible (1866)
Crucifixion, seen from the Cross, by James Tissot, c. 1890, Brooklyn Museum
Christ on the Cross, by Carl Heinrich Bloch, showing the skies darkened
Bronzino's Deposition of Christ
Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (detail of the Ghent Altarpiece, Jan van Eyck, c. 1432). Christ is represented as the sacrificial Lamb of God.
Detail of the countenance of Christ just dead, by José Luján Pérez, 1793, Las Palmas Cathedral
Betrayal of Christ, stained glass, Gotland, Sweden, 1240
Mateo Cerezo, Ecce Homo, 1650
Carrying the Cross fresco, Decani monastery, Serbia, 14th century
Orthodox Crucifixion icon, Athens, Greece
Crucifixion of Christ, Michelangelo, 1540
Print of the Crucifixion, made at the end of the 16th century
Calvary by Paolo Veronese, 16th century
From a 14th–15th century Welsh Manuscript
Pietro Lorenzetti fresco, Assisi Basilica, 1310–1329
Descent from the Cross, Raphael, 1507

Crucifixion of Jesus facts for kids

Images for kids

See also