Good Friday marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Before we celebrate His resurrection on Easter, we first walk through the weight of the cross. A dark, grim process – crucifixion was a brutal torture device used by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. So how did an emblem of suffering become the symbol of Christianity?
Come walk through the timeline of Good Friday, hour by hour, and by the end, you can see why they call it ‘Good Friday.’ These are the events that changed the course of history.
4-6 AM – Jesus on Trial Before Jewish Leaders
Jesus is brought before Annas and Caiaphas. False witnesses are lined up to accuse him. The high priest asks one key question: Are you the Messiah?
Jesus answers, “I am.”
Meanwhile, Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, is watching from a distance—and denies Jesus.
(Matthew 26:57–68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:66–70; John 18:12–28)
6-8 AM – Jesus Before Pilate and Herod
Jesus is taken to Pontius Pilate, then sent to Herod, and eventually brought back to Pilate. Pilate finds no guilt in Jesus but is torn over what to do. The crowd begins to shout: “Crucify him!”
To appease them, Pilate orders Jesus to be flogged and then crucified.
(Matthew 27:1–26; Mark 15:1–15; Luke 23:1–25; John 18:28–19:16)
8-8:30 AM – Jesus Carries His Cross
Mocked, beaten, and crowned with thorns, Jesus carries his cross toward Golgotha. Along the way, a man named Simon of Cyrene is forced to help him.
(Matthew 27:27–32; Mark 15:16–22; Luke 23:26–33; John 19:16–17)
9 AM – The Crucifixion
Jesus is nailed to the cross. “It was the third hour,” Mark tells us—about 9:00 AM.
(Matthew 27:35; Luke 23:33; John 19:18–22)
9:30-11 AM – Jesus is Mocked
Soldiers and bystanders mock him: “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!”
They challenge him to come down from the cross.
(Matthew 27:36–43; Mark 15:29–32; Luke 23:35–38)
11 AM – Noon Jesus Speaks to the Thieves
Jesus speaks to the criminals hanging beside him. One asks for mercy, and Jesus replies, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus also entrusts the care of his mother, Mary, to John: “Woman, here is your son… John, here is your mother.”
(Matthew 27:38–44; Luke 23:39–43; John 19:25–27)
Noon – Darkness descends
Suddenly, darkness covers the land for three hours—from noon to 3 PM.
(Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33)
Noon – 3 PM – Earthquakes and Final Moments
The earth shakes. The temple curtain is torn in two. Jesus says, “I thirst.” He cries out in agony.
(Matthew 27:51–54; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45; Matthew 27:46–50; Mark 15:33–37; Luke 23:35–38; John 19:29)
3 PM – Jesus dies
At the ninth hour, Jesus cries out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Then he declares: “It is finished.”
And he gives up his spirit.
(Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34–39; Luke 23:46; John 19:30)
Is Good Friday good?
This was the darkest day in history. Yet it became the doorway to hope and forgiveness. When we read the story above and hear Jesus cry out, “It is finished,” we realize this wasn’t just a death—it was a victory. Jesus was accomplishing something eternal. Jesus was taking on our sins on the cross. Taking the debt of those who love and believe in Him. We call Friday good not because the pain was good. But because the purpose of it – Love. Jesus loved us then and loves us today.
