| For Christians, or those simply wishing to study the | | | | - Jesus is Led Away to Calvary-Jesus is taken to |
| Christian origins of Easter, the Bible gives the following | | | | Calvary, to a place known as Golgotha, where he is to |
| information- | | | | be crucified. (Matthew 27:32-34; Mark 15:21-24; Luke |
| During the Easter season, (especially on Good Friday), | | | | 23:26-31; John 19:16-17) |
| Christians focus on the passion of Jesus Christ. This is | | | | - Jesus is Crucified-Scriptures record that he was |
| the phrase used to describe his suffering and death on | | | | crucified in the third hour, which in Jewish time, would |
| the cross. Here is a breakdown of the significant | | | | have been about 9 a.m. While on the cross, Jesus is |
| events recorded in Scripture, including the events just | | | | reported to have asked for forgiveness for those |
| before and immediately following the Crucifixion. It is | | | | around him. In addition, soldiers cast lots for his clothing |
| these events that comprise the Christian view of | | | | while a crowd mocks and taunts him. (Luke 23:34; |
| Easter. It is important to keep in mind that many of the | | | | Mark 15:24; Matthew 27:39-40; Mark 15:31; Luke |
| actual times of these events are not recorded in | | | | 23:36-37; Luke 23:39; Luke 23:40-43) |
| Scripture. This timeline represents an approximate | | | | - Jesus Speaks to Mary and John-A significant event |
| sequence of events, and can be referred to in the | | | | is recorded in the Bible, as Jesus is reported to have |
| referenced scriptural passages. | | | | spoken to his mother, and the disciple he loved, by |
| - The Last Supper-Jesus has a last supper with his | | | | saying they are now family. After this John takes |
| disciples. He explains that he is leaving them, but they | | | | Mary into his home. (John 19:26-27) |
| fail to understand the significance of his words. | | | | - Jesus cries out to the Father-At hour six, Jesus is |
| (Matthew 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-38; John | | | | reported to have cried out to the Father. He is given |
| 13:21-30) | | | | vinegar to drink, and then declares, "It is finished". He |
| - Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane-Jesus prays | | | | commends his spirit into the hands of God. (Matthew |
| alone, while a few of his closest disciples stand watch. | | | | 27:46; John 19:28-29; Luke 23:46) |
| It is at this point Christians believe that he atoned for | | | | - Jesus is Laid in the Tomb-Jesus is laid in the tomb of |
| the sins of the world, and bled from every pore. | | | | a friend. Scriptures record that this was done hastily, |
| (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-45) | | | | as the Jewish Sabbath was approaching, and one |
| - Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested-It was at this time | | | | could not be dealing with these matters on a Sabbath |
| that Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot and is | | | | day. The rock was rolled over the entrance, to guard |
| arrested. (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke | | | | the body. (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke |
| 22:47-53; John 18:1-11) | | | | 23:50-56; John 19:38-42) |
| - The Religious Leaders Condemn Jesus-At this point | | | | - Jesus Rises from the Dead-The scriptures record |
| in the timeline, the ruling religious leaders condemn | | | | that Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb to dress the |
| Jesus. He is first sent to stand trial before Pilate, then | | | | deceased body of Christ. She finds the tomb empty, |
| Herod, and then back to Pilate, where he is sentenced | | | | and then converses with the resurrected Christ, who |
| to death. (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71; | | | | urges her to tell others of what she has seen. This |
| Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:1-5; John | | | | resurrection is the key point of the Easter celebration |
| 18:28-37; Luke 23:6-12; Luke 23:11; Matthew 27:26; Mark | | | | for Christians who believe Jesus Christ arose and lives |
| 15:15; Luke 23:23-24; John 19:16) | | | | again. |