The Stations of the Cross from the Gospels

1. Jesus prays in the garden

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.” And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. When Jesus rose from prayer and returned to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” He asked. “Get up and pray so that you will not enter into temptation.”

Luke 22:39–46 · BSB

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives “as usual,” to a place he knows well. He kneels a stone's throw from his friends and tells the Father plainly what he wants: take this cup away. Then he adds, “not my will, but yours.” His friends are asleep, worn out by sorrow, and he wakes them to rise and pray. Find your own quiet place today. Say honestly what frightens you, then put it in the Father's hands.

2. Jesus is betrayed and arrested

While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him and lead Him away securely.” Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Then the men seized Jesus and arrested Him. And one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus asked the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has happened that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.” Then everyone deserted Him and fled.

Mark 14:43–50 · BSB

Judas arrives with a crowd carrying swords and clubs, and the signal he has chosen is a kiss. “Rabbi,” he says, the everyday greeting of a student to his teacher. Someone lashes out with a sword and wounds a servant. Jesus only asks why they came for him like this, when he taught in the temple every day. Then everyone runs. Today, notice where you have drifted away from him, and take one step back.

3. Jesus is condemned by the council

At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said, “If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe. And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.” “Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.”

Luke 22:66–71 · BSB

At daybreak the council gathers, minds already made up. “If you are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus knows they will not believe whatever he says. Still, he does not hide who he is. Tired, bound, with no friend beside him, he speaks of the Son of Man seated at God's right hand. They want no more witnesses. Where are you asked, quietly, whom you belong to? Today, let your answer be calm and true.

4. Peter denies Jesus

Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance. When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said. But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said. A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.” “Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. While he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Luke 22:54–62 · BSB

Peter has followed at a distance, as far as the courtyard. He sits by the fire, and a servant girl studies his face in its light. Three times he says he does not know Jesus. Then the rooster crows, and the Lord turns and looks at Peter. Not a word, only that look. Peter goes out and weeps bitterly. The look holds no contempt; it calls him back. Let Jesus look at you today, and stay.

5. Jesus is judged by Pilate

Early in the morning, the chief priests, elders, scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin devised a plan. They bound Jesus, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. So Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. And the chief priests began to accuse Him of many things. Then Pilate questioned Him again, “Have You no answer? Look how many charges they are bringing against You!” But to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus made no further reply. Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing. And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom. “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked. For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead. So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?” And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!” “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!” And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

Mark 15:1–15 · BSB

They bind Jesus and lead him to Pilate early in the morning. The accusations pile up, and Jesus says nothing, so that Pilate is amazed. Pilate can see that this is envy. He asks the crowd, “What evil has he done?” but they only shout louder. Wanting to please them, he sets Barabbas free and hands Jesus over. Where do you feel the pull of the crowd? Today, choose one right thing, even if no one applauds.

6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe. And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.

John 19:1–3 · BSB

The soldiers have orders to flog him, and then they turn it into a game. One twists thorny branches into a crown; another finds a purple robe. They come up to him again and again, “Hail, King of the Jews!”, and strike him with their hands. Jesus takes the mockery without striking back. Think of someone who is laughed at today, at school, at work, online. Stand beside them, and treat them with the dignity others refuse them.

7. Jesus takes up his cross

Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away. Carrying His own cross, He went out to The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.

John 19:16–17 · BSB

Pilate hands him over, and they take Jesus away. John says simply that he went out carrying his own cross. The beam is rough and heavy, and his back is already torn. The road leads outside the city, to a place named for a skull. He does not wait for someone else to lift it. What weight is yours to carry right now? Pick it up today, not alone, but walking behind him.

8. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus

As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.

Luke 23:26 · BSB

Simon is coming in from the country, perhaps tired, perhaps with plans for the day. Soldiers seize him and lay the cross on his shoulders. He did not volunteer. Yet Luke remembers his name and where he came from, and Simon walks the rest of the way right behind Jesus. Help is often asked of us at an awkward moment. Who needs you to carry something with them today? Say yes, even if it upsets your plans.

9. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Look, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed!’ At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Luke 23:27–31 · BSB

A great crowd follows, and among them are women mourning and wailing for him. Jesus, barely able to walk, turns towards them. He does not dismiss their grief; he directs it beyond himself, to their children and the hard days coming. Even now his thoughts go to others. Today, let your compassion reach past your own troubles to someone else's, and pray for the children of your city.

10. Jesus is nailed to the cross

When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

Luke 23:33–34 · BSB

At the place called the Skull they nail him to the wood, with a criminal on either side. While the hammers are still sounding, Jesus prays: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” At his feet the soldiers cast lots for his clothes, unaware. His first words from the cross are for the people hurting him. Is there someone you have not forgiven? Today, say their name to God, and ask for the grace to begin.

11. Jesus promises paradise to the thief

One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!” But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:39–43 · BSB

Two men hang beside Jesus. One mocks him: save yourself, and us too. The other has nothing to offer, and no time left to put things right. He simply says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus answers at once: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” No long speech, no conditions. Whatever you carry, it is not too late. Say his name today, and ask him to remember you.

12. Jesus speaks to his mother and his friend

Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.

John 19:25–27 · BSB

Near the cross stand the few who stayed: his mother, her sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene, and the disciple Jesus loved. In great pain, Jesus sees them, and gives his mother and his friend to each other: “Woman, here is your son.” “Here is your mother.” From that hour the disciple takes her into his home. Even while dying, Jesus makes a family. Whom has he placed in your care? Reach out to them today.

13. Jesus dies on the cross

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over all the land until the ninth hour. The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.

Luke 23:44–46 · BSB

At midday darkness covers the land, and for three hours the sun gives no light. The curtain of the temple is torn in two. Then Jesus cries out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” and breathes his last. He dies praying the words of a psalm, words he may have learned as a boy. Stay here a moment in silence. Whatever weighs on you today, place it, with him, into the Father's hands.

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb

Now there was a Council member named Joseph, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision or action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea, and was waiting for the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed. Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.

Luke 23:50–56 · BSB

Joseph of Arimathea, a council member who had not agreed with their decision, asks Pilate for the body. He takes it down himself, wraps it in linen, and lays it in a new tomb cut from rock. The women from Galilee watch where he is laid, then go home to prepare spices. The Sabbath begins, and they rest. Sometimes love can only wait. Today, offer God one quiet act of faithfulness, and trust him with what is unfinished.

A fifteenth station, if you like

He is risen

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’” Then they remembered His words.

Luke 24:1–8 · BSB

Early on the first day of the week, the women come back with the spices they prepared. The stone has been rolled away and the tomb is empty. Frightened, they bow to the ground before two men in dazzling clothes: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” And they remember his words. The story does not end at the tomb. Go into your day carrying good news: he is alive!