The exact time of day that Jesus was crucified is not definitively stated in the Bible. However, based on the Gospel accounts and historical context, scholars have analyzed the timeline of Jesus’ final days to estimate the approximate time of His crucifixion.
According to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus was crucified on the day of Preparation before the Sabbath (Matthew 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54). This refers to Friday, the day before the Sabbath (Saturday). The Gospel of John agrees, stating that the crucifixion took place on the “day of Preparation of the Passover” (John 19:14).
On the day of His crucifixion, Jesus was brought before Pilate early in the morning (Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1, Luke 23:1, John 18:28). After interrogation, Pilate sentenced Jesus to death by crucifixion. The Gospels state this took place around the third hour (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:25, Luke 23:44). Based on the Jewish method of reckoning time, the third hour corresponded to 9:00 AM.
Thus, the biblical evidence indicates Jesus was crucified sometime after 9:00 AM on Friday morning. According to Mark’s Gospel, “It was the third hour when they crucified him” (Mark 15:25). This aligns with John’s account, which states Jesus was still before Pilate during the sixth hour, when the Jewish day started at sunrise around 6:00 AM (John 19:14).
The Synoptic Gospels record that darkness came over the land from the sixth to the ninth hour, or from noon to 3:00 PM (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44). This darkness was likely caused by a khamsin, a sandy desert storm common in Jerusalem before Passover. It signified the wrath of God at the unjust crucifixion of His Son.
Jesus cried out in a loud voice and gave up His spirit at the ninth hour, soon after the darkness ended around 3:00 PM (Matthew 27:46-50, Mark 15:34-37, Luke 23:44-46). Thus, after being crucified around 9:00 AM, Jesus hung on the cross for six agonizing hours until His death mid-afternoon.
The Gospel of Mark confirms Jesus was on the cross for six hours: “When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.” (Mark 15:33). Based on these details, most scholars agree that Jesus’ crucifixion lasted from approximately 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
After Jesus’ death, His body had to be removed from the cross and buried before sunset and the start of the Sabbath at sundown. There was a sense of urgency because the Sabbath was a “high day” during that Passover week (John 19:31). Joseph of Arimathea requested permission from Pilate to remove Jesus’ body and place it in his own nearby tomb late Friday afternoon before sundown (Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-53, John 19:38-42).
In summary, the Gospels record that Jesus was crucified at the third hour (around 9:00 AM) on Friday morning during Passover week. He hung on the cross for six agonizing hours until His death at the ninth hour (around 3:00 PM). His body was then hurriedly removed and buried before sunset and the start of the Sabbath that Friday evening.
While the exact minute of Jesus’ death is not specified, the general timeline is consistent in all four Gospels. Jesus willingly gave His life as the Lamb of God between approximately 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on that Passover Friday, providing salvation for all who place their faith in Him.
Though the crucifixion brought deep sorrow, Christians can rejoice that His death paid for our sins. As Jesus declared from the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The price of redemption was fully paid at Calvary.
Other biblical details related to the timeline of Jesus’ crucifixion include:
- Jesus was betrayed by Judas late Thursday night in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly after the Last Supper (Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:2-12).
- He was arrested and brought before Annas, the former high priest, sometime after midnight. He was then sent to Caiaphas, the current high priest (Matthew 26:57, John 18:13-14, 19-24).
- Early Friday morning Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, who pronounced Him guilty of blasphemy (Matthew 27:1, Luke 22:66-71).
- He was delivered to Pontius Pilate Friday morning before the crucifixion (Matthew 27:2, John 18:28-29).
- Pilate interrogated Jesus and sent Him to Herod Antipas before returning Him back to Pilate (Luke 23:6-12).
- Pilate offered the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas and ultimately sentenced Jesus to crucifixion (Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:18-25, John 18:39–19:16).
- Jesus was mocked and beaten by the Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:1-3).
- He was led away to be crucified at the third hour, around 9:00 AM Friday morning (Matthew 27:32-44, Mark 15:21-32, Luke 23:26-43, John 19:17-27).
Though the Gospel writers do not provide an exact timestamp for the crucifixion, the sequence of events indicates Jesus was most likely crucified between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on that Friday.
The time of Jesus’ death carries great theological significance. As the apostle Paul wrote:
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
The death of Christ for sinners is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love. The crucifixion timeline affirms that Jesus willingly gave His life during the day as a sacrifice to redeem all who trust in Him.
Though mocked, beaten, and rejected by men, Jesus submission to the Father’s will fulfilled God’s plan of salvation. The darkness that covered the land reflected the agonizing separation from the Father Jesus endured as He bore the sins of the world.
His willing sacrifice made redemption possible. Jesus’ last words, “It is finished” signaled the completion of His mission to provide atonement for sin once for all (Hebrews 9:24-28).
As the prophet Isaiah wrote about the suffering Messiah:
“He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
Though crucified in weakness, Jesus rose again in power and victory over sin and death. His resurrection on Sunday morning confirmed the efficacy of His sacrifice (Romans 4:25).
The crucifixion timeline also established Jesus as the true Passover Lamb. As John emphasizes, Jesus was sentenced and sacrificed at the same time Passover lambs were being slaughtered for the feast that evening (John 19:14).
Paul affirms this typological connection, writing, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Just as the blood of the Passover lambs delivered the Israelites from slavery, Christ’s blood delivers believers from slavery to sin.
Though the exact time is uncertain, Jesus’ crucifixion fulfilled God’s plan of redemption. As Peter proclaimed:
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
The agonizing events of the cross demonstrate God’s unwavering love for humanity. Though Jesus bore the wrath for sinners, He willingly sacrificed Himself to bring salvation to all who place their trust in Him. The timeline of the crucifixion provides powerful testimony of Christ’s perfect redemption.
In conclusion, while the Bible does not definitively state the exact time Jesus was crucified, the Gospel accounts point to a six-hour window from approximately 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Friday of Passover week. Jesus willingly endured the cross during those agonizing hours to pay the penalty for sin and provide eternal life to all who believe in Him. Even in death, Jesus’ perfect submission to the Father’s plan achieved redemption for lost sinners and continues to demonstrate God’s deep, unfailing love.