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The Last Supper

The night before Jesus’ crucifixion, he and his apostles gathered for the Last Supper. During the meal, Jesus explained to them that he was going to die to make amends for humanity’s sins:

Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’ (Matthew 26:26–28)

Christians remember the Last Supper when they participate in the Eucharist, as Jesus asked them to. The Eucharist is a celebration of thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice, which made salvation possible.

The crucifixion

Christians call the day that Jesus died on the cross as Good Friday. The following points describe the events told in the Gospel of Matthew (27:28–50):

Jesus is mocked and beaten by the soldiers

• “They [the soldiers] stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand.”
• “Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.”
• “They spat on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.”
• “After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.”

Jesus is taken to be crucified

• “As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.”
• “They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall [a bitter substance]; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.”

Jesus on the cross

• “Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

Jesus dies

• “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.”
• “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.””
• “Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.””
• “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”

After the crucifixion

• “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.”
• “Above his head they placed the written charge against him: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.””