What are the Stations of the Cross?

Definition and Origin

The Stations of the Cross refer to a devotional practice that traditionally highlights key moments in Jesus Christ’s journey from His condemnation by Pontius Pilate to His burial. Often traced back to early Christian pilgrimages in Jerusalem, believers would walk the path reportedly taken by Jesus on His way to Golgotha (cf. Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; Luke 23:33; John 19:17). Over the centuries, these commemorations were formalized into “stations” to help Christians reflect on Christ’s suffering and sacrificial love.

Historical Development and Purpose

Early Christian accounts show that those who visited Jerusalem in the 4th century, such as Egeria (a Christian pilgrim whose writings date to the late 4th century), described walking to the places where Jesus’ trial, condemnation, and crucifixion took place. Over time, for those unable to travel to the Holy Land, various communities reproduced the practice locally. By the medieval era, thanks in part to Franciscan influence, the Stations became a structured, prayerful devotion.

The Stations of the Cross serve as an opportunity for believers to reflect on Christ’s passion, His atoning sacrifice, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah (cf. Isaiah 53:3–5: “He was despised and rejected by men…”). Though initially associated more with certain liturgical traditions, many Christians from diverse backgrounds have used these reflections as a way to meditate on the biblical record.

Traditional Numbering and Summary of Each Station

Typically, there are fourteen Stations of the Cross, with some traditions adding a fifteenth station focusing on the Resurrection. Below is a concise overview of the fourteen traditional stations, along with relevant or corresponding Scriptures (quoted from the Berean Standard Bible unless the station is purely based on church tradition):

1. Jesus Is Condemned to Death

– Biblical Basis: Matthew 27:24–26; Mark 15:14–15; Luke 23:24–25; John 19:16.

– “So then he handed Him over to be crucified…” (John 19:16).

2. Jesus Takes Up His Cross

– Biblical Basis: John 19:17; cf. Matthew 27:31.

– “Carrying His own cross, He went out to The Place of the Skull…” (John 19:17).

3. Jesus Falls for the First Time

– Traditional Station without a direct Gospel reference, possibly inferred from the difficulty of the journey. Scripture indicates His physical suffering (Matthew 27:32; Luke 23:26).

4. Jesus Meets His Mother, Mary

– Traditional Station based on passages showing Mary at the crucifixion (John 19:25–27).

– “Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother…” (John 19:25).

5. Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross

– Biblical Basis: Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26.

– “As they led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene…and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.” (Luke 23:26).

6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

– Traditional Station not directly in Scripture. It reflects an act of compassion toward Christ during His agony.

7. Jesus Falls for the Second Time

– Traditional Station emphasizing Jesus’ burden and weakness on the way to Golgotha.

8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

– Biblical Basis: Luke 23:27–31.

– “A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him.” (Luke 23:27).

9. Jesus Falls for the Third Time

– Traditional Station illustrating the intensity of Christ’s suffering shortly before His crucifixion.

10. Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments

– Biblical Basis: Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; John 19:23–24.

– “When the soldiers had crucified Him, they divided His garments among the four of them…” (John 19:23).

11. Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross

– Biblical Basis: Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:25; Luke 23:33; John 19:18.

– “There they crucified Him, and with Him two others…” (John 19:18).

12. Jesus Dies on the Cross

– Biblical Basis: Matthew 27:45–50; Mark 15:33–37; Luke 23:44–46; John 19:28–30.

– “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.” (John 19:30).

13. Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross

– Biblical Basis: John 19:38–40; Mark 15:45–46; Luke 23:52–53.

– “Joseph of Arimathea…came and removed His body.” (John 19:38).

14. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

– Biblical Basis: Matthew 27:59–60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53; John 19:41–42.

– “So because it was the Jewish day of Preparation…they laid Jesus there.” (John 19:42).

(Some traditions include a fifteenth station celebrating the Resurrection, based on Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–18.)

Scriptural and Devotional Importance

Though not all stations are directly attested in Scripture, the overall narrative is predominantly grounded in the canonical Gospels. These events collectively illustrate Christ’s solidarity with human suffering and fulfill the Old Testament’s prophecies of a suffering Messiah (cf. Psalm 22:16–18). The reflection on these stations can heighten one’s appreciation of the cost of redemption, echoing the apostolic witness that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

1st-century archaeological examinations in Jerusalem highlight possible paths near the Antonia Fortress to Golgotha. Discoveries of crucifixion nails and skeletal remains in the area (notably the remains of a crucified man named Yehohanan, unearthed in 1968) confirm the Roman practice of nailing individuals to crosses in that era.

Roman historians like Tacitus (Annals 15.44) and Jewish historians like Flavius Josephus (Antiquities 18.3.3) corroborate that Jesus was a historical figure crucified under Pontius Pilate. These sources align with the biblical date range, which fits both a consistent manuscript record and early Christian testimony.

Practical Use and Reflection

Devotion to the Stations of the Cross can be a method to prayerfully contemplate Christ’s sacrifice. Many believers enacting these stations encourage repentance, humility, and gratitude for salvation, aligning with the biblical injunction to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

Relationship to the Resurrection

While the primary focus is often on Christ’s suffering and death, the broader Christian testimony hinges upon the Resurrection (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:14–17). Meditating on the Stations of the Cross need not separate the crucifixion from the resurrection narrative. Instead, it can enrich believers’ awareness of the victory over death, since Jesus’ suffering culminates in the triumphant truth that He is indeed risen (Luke 24:5–6).

Conclusion

The Stations of the Cross are a longstanding devotional tool, rooted in Scripture and tradition, that helps believers identify with the events of Christ’s final hours before His crucifixion. By reinforcing biblical teaching through a structured journey of reflection, the Stations lead participants into deeper gratitude and worship for the atoning work of the Messiah. As such, contemplating these events encourages the faithful to remember that “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).