Good Friday is a solemn occasion remembered today by millions around the world. As Christians mark this special day in honor of Jesus Christ’s death and ultimate sacrifice for humankind, many turn to Scripture passages as part of their spiritual observance.
Here are some Good Friday Bible verses that offer comfort and hope through reflection upon Christ’s redeeming love on the cross.
What Is the Main Message of Good Friday?
The main message of Good Friday is the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity. It is the day that Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and his death on a Roman cross (Matthew 27:33-50; Mark 15:22-37).
This event is the center of the Christian faith in salvation for mankind and repentance from sins. Apostle Paul wrote about Good Friday when he stated that “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3) – an essential component of Christian understanding regarding what happened during the passion of Jesus Christ.
What Gospel Is Read on Good Friday?
On Good Friday, the Gospel reading typically includes the account of the Passion of Jesus Christ, which can be found in the following chapters and verses of the New Testament:
- Matthew 26:14-27:66
- Mark 14:1-15:47
- Luke 22:1-23:56
- John 18:1-19:42
These passages describe the events leading up to and including Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and burial.
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Good Friday Bible Verses
The Crucifixion of Jesus
Good Friday marks the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. On this day, Jesus was betrayed by one of his own disciples and crucified in a cruel act known as “scourging.”
He then died on the cross, facing accusations that he believed himself to be God, and forgiving humanity for its sins attached him to it.
Although painful at the time, these events proved significant because they resulted in the redemption from eternal damnation according to what had been promised beforehand through Old Testament prophecy.
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”
Matthew 27:35
“And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.”
Mark 15:24
“And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take.”
Luke 23:33
“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.”
John 19:18
“There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.”
Hebrews 9:28
“So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
The Meaning of the Crucifixion
On Good Friday, We commemorate and venerate the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity by taking upon Himself all sin in order to make salvation possible through His death and resurrection.
The event highlights God’s great love for us; rather than punish us harshly as sinners deserve, He chose instead to send his one perfect Son with a radical act of grace; Jesus sacrificing himself so you might have everlasting life if you choose it (John 3:16-17).
This image serves both reminder and comfort – reminder because its very graphicness puts into focus our fallen nature deserving death in contrast with His holiness and mercy granting life (Romans 5:8); comfort because when we look at it, we know despite human suffering, redemption may be found in Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:3
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.”
1 Peter 2:24
“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.”
Romans 5:8
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Galatians 3:13
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”
Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Colossians 1:14
“In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
The Significance of Good Friday
Good Friday is a holy day that holds deep spiritual significance within Christianity. Good Friday has religious importance because it serves as an opportunity for believers to reflect on how much sacrifice our savior made for us through His own crucifixion so that we may have eternal life with Him after death.
Through this reflection comes a great deeper personal understanding of one’s faith which brings about spiritual renewal within our lives.
Furthermore, Good Friday is also a symbol of hope as Jesus’ resurrection gives believers the assurance that death does not have to be final and allows us to face life’s struggles with faith in something greater.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Matthew 26:28
“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Acts 2:23
“This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
1 John 2:2
“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Revelation 1:5
“And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.”
Hebrews 10:12
“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.”
The Power of the Cross
The power of the cross on Good Friday is a symbol that communicates God’s unparalleled love and His willingness to sacrifice everything, even His own Son, in order for us to be saved.
It represents how Christ suffered so we could have hope through his death and resurrection. Its significance lies not only in its role as an emblematic marker of grace but also in what Jesus did by dying on this day.
He paid our debts when there was no other way out, defeating sin once and for all so that nature can enjoy freedom at last from oppression!
Galatians 6:14
“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
John 12:32
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Colossians 2:14
“By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”
Hebrews 12:2
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
1 Peter 2:21
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
Ephesians 2:16
“And in him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
The Sacrifice of Jesus
According to the Bible, after being convicted by Pontius Pilate and sentenced to death, Jesus was crucified at Golgotha (the place of skull) outside Jerusalem’s city walls.
His sacrifice was voluntary, and he chose before time began to lay down his life as an ultimate act of love and obedience towards God so that humans could ultimately be redeemed from their sins if they believed in him.
Isaiah 53:10
“Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”
John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Hebrews 9:26
“For then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
1 Peter 1:18-19
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
The Resurrection of Jesus
Good Friday marks the day when Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. The Resurrection of Jesus happened three days after His death, which is commemorated as Easter Sunday (or Resurrection Sunday).
This event marked a new beginning for humanity, with Christ proving that He alone has power over sin, death, and evil by fulfilling God’s plan to save us.
Matthew 28:5-6
“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.”
John 20:9
“For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.”
Romans 8:11
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”
1 Corinthians 15:20
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruit of those who have fallen asleep.”
1 Peter 1:3
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Revelation 1:18
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
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Good Friday Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before you on this Good Friday and praise your name for the great love that brought Your Son to suffer in our place. We thank You for sending Jesus to be a living sacrifice and atone for all of our sins.
Help us remember what He endured and how it enabled us to stand redeemed before You today. May His passion press upon our hearts daily so we may draw ever closer into a relationship with Him through worshipful obedience & humble service throughout all generations.
Amen!