The Bible does not explicitly state exactly how long Jesus was on the cross before he died. However, based on the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, scholars have estimated that the total time was most likely between 6-9 hours.
The Gospels tell us that Jesus was crucified at the third hour (Mark 15:25), which equates to 9 AM according to the Jewish method of reckoning time. The Gospel of Mark then states that darkness came over the whole land from the sixth hour to the ninth hour (Mark 15:33), which would be from around noon to 3 PM. Jesus cried out and died soon after the ninth hour (Mark 15:34-37).
So based on these details, we can construct a rough timeline:
- 9 AM – Jesus crucified
- Noon to 3 PM – Darkness over the land
- Around 3 PM – Jesus cries out and dies
Jesus was on the cross for at least 6 hours, from 9 AM to 3 PM. However, the Gospels also tell us that the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath (which began at sunset on Friday). So they asked Pilate to order that the legs of the crucified men be broken to hasten death (John 19:31). The soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals crucified with Jesus, but when they came to Jesus they saw he was already dead so did not break his legs (John 19:32-33).
For Jesus to be confirmed dead before sunset, most scholars estimate the crucifixion lasted between 6-9 hours, from the third hour to sometime before the twelfth hour (6 PM). So the total time Jesus was on the cross was likely between 6-9 hours.
A few key points help explain the plausible time range:
- Crucifixion was designed to prolong suffering. Death often took days.
- Jesus was scourged and beaten beforehand, which weakened him (Mark 15:15).
- The spear thrust into his side verified his premature death (John 19:34).
- The Sabbath day limit forced a quicker crucifixion.
In summary, even though the specific duration is not revealed, based on Gospel accounts we can deduce Jesus was crucified for somewhere between 6-9 hours total before his death.
Jesus was taken down from the cross late Friday afternoon, before the Sabbath began at sunset. We know from the Gospel accounts that Joseph of Arimathea received permission from Pilate to take Jesus’ body and bury him quickly before sundown (Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-54, John 19:38-42). The Gospels confirm that Jesus was crucified on the day of Preparation before the Sabbath (Matthew 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, John 19:31).
So while the exact duration of time on the cross is uncertain, the general timeline fits with Jesus being crucified for several hours on Friday afternoon, then taken down and buried hastily before sunset and the start of the Jewish Sabbath.
Details from each Gospel account
Now let’s look at what each of the four Gospels tells us about the timeline and duration of Jesus on the cross:
Gospel of Mark
- “It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.” (Mark 15:25)
- “At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.” (Mark 15:33)
- “And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)
- “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.” (Mark 15:37)
Based on Mark’s Gospel, Jesus was on the cross for at least 6 hours, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Mark does not specify exactly when Jesus died, only that it was sometime after his loud cry at the ninth hour (3 PM).
Gospel of Matthew
- “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.” (Matthew 27:45)
- “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?”)” (Matthew 27:46)
- “When he had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.” (Matthew 27:50)
Matthew confirms the same timeframe as Mark – Jesus on the cross from at least noon to 3 PM, crying out at the ninth hour and then dying at an unspecified time after that cry.
Gospel of Luke
- “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining.” (Luke 23:44-45a)
- “Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46)
Luke reiterates the same time sequence – darkness from noon to 3 PM, then Jesus crying out in a loud voice and breathing his last.
Gospel of John
- “So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.” (John 19:32-33)
- “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.” (John 19:38)
John’s account does not provide specific daytime hour details but corroborates that Jesus died before the other two crucified men. This was likely late afternoon before sunset.
Additionally, John reports that Joseph of Arimathea removed Jesus’ body from the cross and buried it hastily on that same day, before the Sabbath began at sunset.
Summary of the Gospel accounts
Taken together, we can synthesize a general timeline from the four Gospel writers:
- Jesus was crucified at 9 AM (Mark 15:25)
- Darkness fell over the land from Noon to 3 PM (Mark 15:33, Matthew 27:45, Luke 23:44-45a)
- Jesus cried out loudly near time of death (Mark 15:37, Matthew 27:50, Luke 23:46)
- Jesus’ legs were not broken since he was already dead (John 19:32-33)
- Jesus confirmed dead before the other crucified men (John 19:32-33)
- Jesus was taken down and buried on same day, before Sabbath at sunset (John 19:38-42)
While the exact details are not provided, this general timeline based on the Gospels fits with a crucifixion of 6-9 hours, from morning until late afternoon on the day of Preparation before the Sabbath.
Medical analysis of crucifixion and Jesus’ death
Modern medical analysis of crucifixion and the details of Jesus’ death can also lend some insights into the plausible duration.
Crucifixion was designed to prolong suffering, sometimes for days. Death often occurred due to hypovolemic shock, pleural effusion fluid around the lungs, or heart failure.
But Jesus’ experience had some key differences:
- He was severely flogged and beaten before crucifixion (Mark 15:15). This caused blood loss and traumatic shock.
- He carried the heavy crossbar (patibulum) to the crucifixion site, further weakening him (John 19:17).
- His wounds likely did not clot due to shock.
- His fluid loss led to extreme thirst (John 19:28).
- Rapid heart rate and rapid shallow breathing accelerated his death.
- The spear thrust into his side verified his premature death (John 19:34).
Given Jesus’ exhausted state even before crucifixion, his wounds and traumatic blood and fluid loss without clotting, medical experts generally agree his time on the cross was closer to the shorter end of the plausible 6-9 hour range.
Extrabiblical evidence on crucifixion duration
There are a few potential non-biblical references to the crucifixion duration, though these sources are debated:
- In the mid-2nd century, Gnostic philosopher Basilides cited the Gospel of Peter as saying Jesus was on the cross for one hour.
- A North African apologist named Vigilius Tapensis in the late 400s AD referred to a 3-hour duration.
- The Gospel of Nicodemus from the mid-4th century AD mentions a duration of 3 hours.
However, most scholars view these sources as unreliable. The details contradict the New Testament Gospels. The references are very late and may have been influenced by an attempt to supernaturally explain Jesus’ quick death.
Overall, the biblical Gospel accounts provide the most reliable historical information we have on the duration of Jesus on the cross.
Significance of the duration of Jesus on the cross
More important than the exact number of hours Jesus hung on the cross is the significance of what He accomplished:
- He willingly suffered and died an excruciating death as payment for sin (Hebrews 12:2).
- He endured the wrath of God toward sinners (Romans 3:25).
- His death purchased redemption and forgiveness for those who believe (Ephesians 1:7).
- His righteousness is credited to our account through faith in Him (Romans 3:22).
- He died as a ransom sacrifice to release us from sin’s penalty (Mark 10:45).
While the Gospel writers do not give us an exact duration, they assure us that Jesus’ sacrifice was accepted by God. As Jesus Himself said: “It is finished” (John 19:30).
The precise number of hours he hung on the cross is not as important as what His sacrificial death accomplished eternally for those who put their faith in Him.