“Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)

Crucifixion, by Louise Parker

Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19

Pilate questioned Jesus Christ, released Barabbas, and sentenced Christ to be crucified. In fulfillment of prophecy, the Savior was scourged, mocked, and crucified. Joseph of Arimathea buried the Savior’s body in a tomb.

Additional Resources

Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19”

The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.

Encouraging Personal Study

Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:

Read Matthew 27:26–50, and consider how you might answer the following question: Why did Jesus Christ have to suffer and die? You could also watch “Jesus Is Scourged and Crucified” (4:59).
Read Matthew 27:46–50 (see also Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 27:54 [in Matthew 27:50, footnote a]); Luke 23:34–46; John 19:25–30, and look for what Jesus Christ said while He suffered on the cross. What do these statements teach you about His character?
As you study the events leading up to the Crucifixion in Mark 15:1–15; Luke 23:1–25; and John 19:1–16, compare the actions and choices of Pilate to those of the Savior. How did they react differently to the opposition and challenges they each faced?

Questions and Sharing

Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19.

Skill Training

Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; and John 19 might be helpful places to use the skills “Using Restoration Scripture to Understand the Bible” and “Looking for Contrasts in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.

Learning Activity Options

Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class.

Matthew 27:26–50; Mark 15:15–37; Luke 23:33–46; John 19:16–30

Why did the Savior have to suffer and die?

You could begin class by displaying a few pictures of the Savior’s suffering leading up to and during the Crucifixion. Invite students to share what thoughts and feelings they have as they think about what He suffered.

Christ standing with wrists bound and wearing a purple robe and a crown of thorns with Pilate sitting behind him — Christ and Pilate Behold the Man, by Marcus Vincent

Christ crucified between two men while Mary and John look at Him — Crucifixion, by Louise Parker

Write the following scripture references on the board: Matthew 27:26–50; Mark 15:15–37; Luke 23:33–46; John 19:16–30. Have students divide into small groups. Invite each group member to read one or more of the passages.

After giving students time to study, have group members discuss with each other what they thought and felt as they read about the Savior’s suffering.

Consider sharing and discussing the following scenario:

A friend has just read the Gospels for the first time. They are troubled by what they read about Jesus Christ’s suffering and Crucifixion. Your friend asks, “Why did Jesus have to suffer and die?”

How would you respond to this question?
What scriptures might be most helpful to answer this question?

Explain that some of the most insightful passages about why Jesus Christ suffered and died can be found in the scriptures of the Restoration (see “Using Restoration Scripture to Understand the Bible” in Scripture Study Skills). Write the following scripture references on the board: 2 Nephi 9:21–23; Alma 7:12–14; Helaman 14:15–18; 3 Nephi 11:11–14; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19.

Invite group members to read one of the passages, looking for what the verses teach about why Jesus Christ had to suffer and die. After giving students time to study, have group members share with each other what they found.

Consider discussing the following questions as a class:

Why is it important to include Restoration scripture in our study of the Savior’s life?
What truths did you discover in these Restoration scripture passages about why Jesus Christ had to suffer and die? (Answers could include truths like the following: Jesus Christ suffered pains and afflictions of every kind so He would know how to succor, heal, and strengthen us. Jesus Christ suffered and died to bring to pass the Resurrection of the dead. Jesus Christ suffered so we can repent of our sins.)
How do these truths influence the way you think and feel about the Savior’s suffering and Crucifixion?

Consider displaying the following statement by Bishop Gérald Caussé:

Although infinite and universal in its reach, the Lord’s Atonement is a remarkably personal and intimate gift, suited to each of us individually. Just as Jesus invited each one of the Nephite disciples to feel His wounds, He died for each one of us, personally, as if you or I were the only person on earth. He extends to us a personal invitation to come unto Him and draw upon the marvelous blessings of His Atonement. (“A Living Witness of the Living Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 40)

Why is it important to understand that Jesus Christ suffered and died for you personally?
What could you do to show your gratitude for the Savior’s suffering for you? (Encourage students to record their thoughts and impressions.)

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Matthew 27:46–50; Luke 23:34–46; John 19:25–30

What can we learn from the example of the Savior during His Crucifixion?

Invite students to think about the last time they experienced a stressful situation. Then ask them to reflect on what we can learn about our own character when we face adversity.

Consider displaying the following image of the Savior’s Crucifixion. You may want to briefly share what crucifixion was like by reviewing “Matthew 27:22–50. What do we know about crucifixion?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.

Jesus Christ on the cross next to two thieves — The Crucifixion of Christ, by Louise Parker

Point out that the actions and words of the Savior while He was experiencing unimaginable stress and suffering on the cross give us insight into His divine character.

Write the following scripture references on the board (do not include the words in parentheses). Invite students to search these scripture passages and identify the Savior’s final words. Have a few students write the Savior’s words on the board next to their corresponding references.

Luke 23:34 (“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”)
Luke 23:43 (“Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”)
John 19:26–27 (“Woman, behold thy son! … Behold thy mother!”)
Matthew 27:46 (“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”)
Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 27:54 (in Matthew 27:50, footnote a) (“Father, it is finished, thy will is done.”)
John 19:28 (“I thirst.”)
John 19:30 (“It is finished.”)
Luke 23:46 (“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”)

Invite students to share what they find significant about the Savior’s final recorded statements. (The following entries in Scripture Helps: New Testament may help enrich your discussion: “Matthew 27:46. Why did Jesus feel forsaken?” and “John 19:30. What is significant about the Savior’s declaration, ‘It is finished’?”)

What can the words of the Savior teach you about His character while He suffered on the cross? (Students may identify truths such as the following: Even as He faced terrible suffering, Jesus Christ thought about the needs of others. In the face of adversity, Jesus Christ endured to the end.)
How does knowing these things about the Savior influence your feelings for Him?

To help students understand what it means to have a Christlike character when facing adversity, read and discuss the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar.

Character is demonstrated by looking, turning, and reaching outward when the instinctive response of the natural man in each of us is to turn inward and to be selfish and self-absorbed. … Throughout His mortal ministry, and especially during the events leading up to and including the atoning sacrifice, the Savior of the world turned outward—when the natural man or woman in most of us would have focused inward. (in Sarah Jane Weaver, “Elder Bednar Urges Mission Leaders to Seek to Develop ‘Essential Elements of a Christlike Character,’” Church News, July 9, 2019, newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

You could invite students to identify ways they can focus outward as they face the challenges of their lives.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

John 19:1–16; Matthew 27:11–26; Mark 15:1–15; Luke 23:1–25

How can I have greater moral courage?

Display the following statement by Elder Ulisses Soares:

The pamphlet For the Strength of Youth contains the following counsel … : “Have the moral courage to stand firm in obeying God’s will, even if you have to stand alone” ([booklet, 2011], 2). (“Yes, We Can and Will Win!,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 75)

Why is it important to live with moral courage?

Explain that we can learn important lessons about moral courage by contrasting the actions of Jesus Christ and Pontius Pilate (see “Looking for Contrasts in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills). Provide students with the accompanying handout. They could work with a partner or in a small group.

Handout: Learning about Moral Courage by Contrasting Jesus Christ and Pontius Pilate

Display the following truth: We follow the Savior’s example of moral courage when we strive to do God’s will in all circumstances.

Invite students to apply this truth by doing one or more of the following on their own, in small groups, or as a class:

Make a list of social, cultural, or moral challenges you face that might require moral courage.
Discuss how you can follow the Savior’s example and develop the moral courage to do what is right when faced with difficult circumstances.
Share experiences that have helped you develop the moral courage to do what is right when facing difficult circumstances.
Share examples of young adults you know who have demonstrated moral courage when faced with difficult circumstances.

To encourage students to act on what they have learned, you might give them time to ponder and record how they would complete the following statement: I will follow the Savior’s example of moral courage by …

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”