 
 
Crucifixion and burial: (Matthew 27:27-66; Mark 15:16-47; Luke 23:26-56; John 19:17-42)  – The death of Jesus on the cross was the culmination of His ministry  on earth. It is the reason He was born as a man—to die for the sins of  the world so that those who believe in Him would not perish, but have  everlasting life (John 3:16-18).  After being found innocent of all charges against Him, Jesus was  nevertheless handed over to the Romans to be crucified. The events of  that day are recorded as including His seven last sayings, the mocking  and taunting by the soldiers and the crowd, the casting of lots among  the soldiers for His clothing, and three hours of darkness. At the  moment Jesus gave up His spirit, there was an earthquake, and the huge,  heavy curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple  was torn from top to bottom, signifying that access to God was now open  to all who believe in Jesus. The body of Jesus was taken down from the  cross, laid in a borrowed tomb, and left until after the Sabbath.