This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Mark 15:15-22, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Pilate who was in charge of the city where Jesus lived. Many Jews didn’t like Jesus, so Pilate wanted to make them happy. He decided to let a man named Barabbas go free instead of Jesus.
After that, some soldiers took Jesus away to a big building called the governor’s headquarters. They put a purple robe on him and made a crown out of thorns and put it on his head. Then they called him the “King of the Jews” and made fun of him by hitting him with a stick and spitting on him.
Finally, the soldiers took off the purple robe and put Jesus’ own clothes back on him. Then they led him to a place where he would be crucified, which means that he would be hung on a cross until he died.
As Jesus was walking, he was very tired and weak, so the soldiers made a man named Simon of Cyrene carry Jesus’ heavy cross for him. Simon was just passing by when the soldiers grabbed him and made him help Jesus.
The soldiers took Jesus to a place called Golgotha, which means “Place of a Skull,” and they hung him on a cross until he died.
Biblical Lessons
- Jesus’ death on the cross shows us the extent of God’s love for us, and how much He was willing to sacrifice in order to save us.
- God can bring good out of bad situations, as He did by using Jesus’ death to save us from our sins.
Related Stories
The Apostles Arrested and Freed
Must-Read Christian Books
The Pursuit of God
A heartfelt call to pursue God Himself above all else, with a strong emphasis on holiness and devotion.
View on Amazon
Desiring God
Piper unpacks "Christian Hedonism": that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, grounded in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Cost of Discipleship
A penetrating look at Jesus' call to follow Him, contrasting cheap grace with true, costly discipleship.
View on Amazon
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Practical, biblical guidance on disciplines like prayer, Bible intake, worship, and fasting to grow in godliness.
View on Amazon
Chosen by God
A clear, pastoral explanation of biblical election and God's sovereignty in salvation.
View on Amazon
Faith Alone
Defends justification by faith alone as the heart of the biblical gospel and Reformation.
View on Amazon
Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands
Biblical counseling and discipleship that helps believers speak God's truth into one another's lives.
View on Amazon
Overcoming Sin and Temptation
A classic Puritan work on mortifying sin and living in the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Don't Waste Your Life
A passionate plea to live for Christ's glory rather than trivial pursuits.
View on Amazon
Let the Nations Be Glad!
Missions-focused theology showing that worship is the goal of evangelism to the nations.
View on Amazon
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
Outlines nine biblical priorities for congregations that want to be faithful and healthy.
View on Amazon
Redemption Accomplished and Applied
A concise, biblical study of Christ's atonement and the application of salvation to believers.
View on Amazon
Morning and Evening
Devotional readings for each day that point believers to Christ and His promises.
View on Amazon
All of Grace
A simple, powerful explanation of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.
View on Amazon
Preaching and Preachers
Classic lectures on the nature and power of biblical preaching.
View on Amazon
Worship Matters
Helps worship leaders and churches keep the gospel central in congregational worship.
View on Amazon
The Universe Next Door
Surveys competing worldviews and contrasts them with the Christian view of reality.
View on Amazon