essay on good friday

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Essay on Good Friday in 500 Words: 10 Lines, Paragraph

• Updated on  
• Mar 19, 2024

Essay on Good Friday: According to Christian belief, Good Friday marks the day when Jesus was crucified. This event is central to Christian theology, representing the sacrificial death of Jesus to atone for the sins of humanity. Jesus Christ was worshipped as a ‘God’ because of his sacrifice for humanity and helping people to their righteous path. Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday before Easter. This year, Good Friday will be celebrated on 29th March 2024.

On Good Friday, devotees engage in fasting and visit seven churches, reflecting on the fourteen Stations of the Cross . The day is marked by solemn prayers and church services where passages from the Bible are shared. Also, a ritual involves the veneration of the cross, symbolizing Christ’s sacrifice.

Table of Contents

• 1 Why Do We Celebrate Good Friday?
• 2 Good Friday Celebrations
• 3 Conclusion
• 4 10 Lines Essay on Good Friday

Popular Essay Topics for Students in English

Why Do We Celebrate Good Friday?

According to Christianity, Jesus was believed to be the Son of God, who was on his mission to help people with their miseries and lead a peaceful life. Christians believe that Jesus’ death on the cross was God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. Through his death, Jesus paid the price for humanity’s sins, offering them forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

Today, Good Friday is seen as a day of redemption. Jesus’s sacrifices serve as a reminder to be redeemed and experience spiritual renewal. On this day, Christians reflect on the suffering and sacrifices of Jesus.

Christians believe that Good Friday is an opportunity to engage in spiritual reflection, repentance, and prayer. It is a time to contemplate the significance of Jesus’ death and its implications for their faith and lives.

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Good Friday Celebrations

Since ours is a secular country, we have a public holiday on Good Friday, Christmas, or any other religious festival. On Good Friday, schools, colleges, and offices are closed, but there is more to this. 

Good Friday celebrations are marked by ritualistic and traditional activities, including the special church service, veneration of the cross, fastings and abstinence, etc. 

On Good Friday, Christians attend the special church services. These services include readings from the Bible recounting the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, and hymns and prayers reflecting on his sacrifice.

On Good Friday, The Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches, and some Anglican churches have a formal Adoration of the Cross. This ritual involves venerating a representation of the cross, often with a ceremony where worshippers approach the cross to kiss or bow before it as a sign of reverence and devotion.

Fasting and abstinence by Christians on Good Friday is a form of penance and spiritual discipline. Some people eat fruits and vegetables, while others only drink water.

Good Friday is a day of remembrance, worship, and spiritual contemplation for Christians. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made for humanity.  It’s a timeless testament to the enduring power of faith, hope, and love. Good Friday sets the stage for Easter, which is celebrated on the next Sunday after Good Friday.

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10 Lines Essay on Good Friday

Ans: Good Friday is a Christian festival. It marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday and is a solemn day of reflection and prayer. Good Friday marks the pinnacle of Holy Week, which includes events leading up to Jesus’ death. On this day, Christians remember the immense sacrifice Jesus made for humanity’s salvation. Many churches hold special services where the story of Jesus’ crucifixion is recounted through readings and hymns.

Ans: According to Christian belief, Good Friday marks the day when Jesus was crucified. This event is central to Christian theology, representing the sacrificial death of Jesus to atone for the sins of humanity. Jesus Christ was worshipped as a ‘God’ because of his sacrifice for humanity and helping people to their righteous path. Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday before Easter. This year, Good Friday will be celebrated on 29th March 2024.

Ans: Before the Christian era, the royal soldiers arrested Jesus and he was sentenced to death by crucifixion. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified on Friday, that is why the day is known as ‘Good Friday’.

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Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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Essay on Good Friday

Students are often asked to write an essay on Good Friday in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Good Friday

Introduction.

Good Friday is a significant day for Christians worldwide. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

Significance

Church services, processions, and passion plays mark the day. Some even fast or abstain from meat as a form of penance.

Good Friday is a solemn day that reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice. It’s a day to reflect on our actions and strive for goodness.

250 Words Essay on Good Friday

Introduction to good friday.

Good Friday, observed during Holy Week preceding Easter Sunday, is a significant event in Christianity. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his subsequent death at Calvary, as described in the New Testament of the Bible.

Historical Context

The term ‘Good Friday’ is somewhat paradoxical, given the sorrowful events it represents. The ‘good’ in Good Friday likely originates from an older definition, meaning ‘holy.’ It is a day of solemn reflection, mourning, and penance, symbolizing the sacrifice and suffering that Jesus endured for humanity’s salvation.

Global Observance

Good Friday is observed worldwide, albeit with varying traditions. In some countries, it is marked by processions, re-enactments of the Crucifixion, or special church services. In others, it is a public holiday, allowing believers to participate in these events.

Significance in Modern Times

In modern times, Good Friday holds profound significance. It serves as a reminder of the human capacity for forgiveness and sacrifice. Jesus’s willingness to suffer for the sins of humanity is seen as an ultimate act of selflessness and love. In an era often characterized by self-interest, Good Friday invites a re-evaluation of personal values and actions.

500 Words Essay on Good Friday

Good Friday, a solemn day in the Christian calendar, marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. The etymology of ‘Good’ in Good Friday remains a subject of debate; some believe it evolved from ‘God’s Friday’, while others argue it denotes ‘good’ as in ‘holy’. This day is commemorated with fasting, penance, and meditation on Jesus’s suffering.

Historical Significance

The historical significance of Good Friday is rooted in Christian theology. It is believed that Jesus’s crucifixion symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice for mankind’s sins, embodying the themes of betrayal, sacrifice, suffering, and death. By surrendering his life, Jesus fulfilled prophecies and demonstrated his divine love for humanity, a narrative central to Christian belief.

Rituals and Observances

Good Friday is marked by various rituals and observances worldwide, reflecting cultural and regional differences. In the Roman Catholic tradition, the ‘Three Hours’ Agony’ is a common practice, where followers meditate on the Seven Last Words of Jesus from noon to 3 p.m. The Stations of the Cross, a 14-step devotion, is also performed to symbolize Jesus’s journey to Mount Calvary. Other denominations may hold passion plays, processions, or the reading of the Passion story from the Gospel.

Interpretation and Reflection

Good Friday is not only a day of mourning but also a day of introspection and reflection. It is a reminder of the human capacity for violence and betrayal, but also of the possibility of forgiveness and redemption. The narrative of Jesus’s crucifixion challenges us to reflect on our actions, encouraging empathy, compassion, and love.

Good Friday and Modern Society

In today’s modern society, Good Friday holds a significant place. It is a public holiday in many countries, allowing people to participate in religious services and community events. It serves as a reminder of our shared humanity and the universal themes of sacrifice and redemption. In an increasingly secular world, Good Friday offers an opportunity to engage in spiritual reflection, regardless of one’s religious beliefs.

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Essay on Good Friday

When we say it is a Good Friday, people generally think that the day is about celebrating a cause of happiness . Unlike what the term implies, Good Friday is a day that Christians all over the world spend in sorrow. This essay on Good Friday in English will make children aware of the importance of the day for Christians. We can also see a glimpse of the life and history of Jesus to understand how people honour his sacrifices on this special day.

Good Friday is the day when people mourn the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. In this Good Friday essay in English, we will briefly discuss the events that led to his crucifixion. Since it is the most significant and holiest day for Christians, people spend this day praying for the forgiveness of their sins. This short essay on Good Friday from BYJU’S will be a useful guide for children to know about this holy feast for Christians.

Table of Contents

History of good friday, celebration of good friday.

According to the religion of Christianity, people believe that the Almighty God had sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to save people from their sins and guide them on the righteous path. The following essay on Good Friday explains how Jesus was born in this world as the son of Joseph and Mary and lived here as a man. Throughout his life, Jesus has been preaching about love and forgiveness and performed several miracles to make people believe in God and eternal life.

Though Jesus continued to teach, some people did not consider him to be sent by God and hence started protesting against him. He was imprisoned and subjected to cruel punishments, which included intense beating with sharp weapons and carrying the heavy cross for long miles. It was after all this thrashing that he was nailed to the cross and put up to be ridiculed by others. The Good Friday essay in English emphasises that Jesus sacrificed himself to pay for the sins of humankind. Since this act is considered a win of good against evil, this day is called Good Friday, even though people lament the death of Jesus.

Since we have seen the history of Good Friday, let us understand how Christians celebrate this day. The short essay on Good Friday in English details that Good Friday is observed two days before Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The date of Good Friday varies each year, but it usually falls between the months of March and April. Christians prepare themselves for 40 days by taking Lent before they enter the Holy Week, where they observe Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter.

Since Good Friday follows the passion of Christ, where he had to suffer harsh beatings and punishments, Christians spend this day in prayers and adoration. The Good Friday essay in English will now talk about how Christians participate in the activities that happen on this day. As people remember the sacrifices of Jesus and lament his death on this day, the proceedings at the church begin in the morning with the Way of the Cross instead of the holy mass. A cross sign with the crucified Jesus is placed in front of the altar, and people kiss it. They also keep a fast and spend the day in silent prayer and devotion.

The essay on Good Friday will thus be useful for kids to understand the importance of the day. Besides, it makes us believe that it was the sacrifice of Jesus that enabled people to lead a good and happy life. Apart from this essay on Good Friday in English, you can discover more such essays on significant days and festivals on BYJU’S website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is good friday.

Good Friday is a holy day for Christians on which they observe the sacrifices of Jesus Christ and lament his crucifixion and death.

What is the significance of the Good Friday essay?

The Good Friday essay in English from BYJU’S will make children aware of the importance of the day. They will also understand how sacred the day is for Christians and learn how they observe the day in prayer and fasting.

Why is the day called Good Friday?

Though Jesus sacrificed his life to pay for our sins on this day, it is referred to as Good Friday because of the good intentions behind his sacrifice. Besides, people celebrate his resurrection as Easter two days later, and this denotes his victory over death and sin.

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What’s So Good about Good Friday?

What is Good Friday, and why do we call the Friday of Holy Week “good”?

Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the Christian day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus and His death at Calvary. This Christian holiday is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, and Black Friday.

For Christians, Good Friday is an important day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. Paul considered it “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, following what God had promised in the Scriptures ( 1 Corinthians 15:3 ).

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance; that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" ( 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 )

On Good Friday, we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins ( 1 John 1:10 ). Easter follows it, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith ( Romans 6:5 ).

Why is it called 'Good' Friday?

Still, why call the day of Jesus’ death “Good Friday” instead of “Bad Friday” or something similar? Some Christian traditions take this approach: in German, for example, the day is called Karfreitag, or “Sorrowful Friday.” In English, the origin of the term “Good” is debated : some believe it developed from an older name, “God’s Friday.” Regardless of the origin, the name Good Friday is entirely appropriate because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins.

For the gospel's good news to have meaning for us, we first must understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we were enslaved. Another way of saying this is that it is essential to understand and distinguish between law and gospel in Scripture. We need the law first to show us how hopeless our condition is; then, the gospel of Jesus’ grace brings us relief and salvation.

In the same way, Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter . The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and blood at the cross , God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus ( Romans 3:26 ). Paradoxically, the day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the death blow in God’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage.

The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. Psalms 85:10 sings of a day when “righteousness and peace” will “kiss each other.” The cross of Jesus is where that occurred, where God’s demands, his righteousness, coincided with his mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, resulting from God’s righteousness against sin. “For the joy set before him” ( Hebrews 12:2 ). Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace.

Good Friday marked the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good Friday is so dark and so Good.

Get your FREE 8-Day Prayer and Scripture Guide -  Praying Through the Holy Week HERE.  Print your own copy for a beautiful daily devotional leading up to Easter.

When Is Good Friday?

In 2024, Good Friday will be on  Friday, March 29th.

Good Friday is always the Friday right before Easter. As part of Holy Week , Good Friday is five days after the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday , which commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem .

Read more about Good Friday's future dates and the Holy Week Timeline .

Good Friday in the Bible

Good Friday Prophecy:  "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." ( Isaiah 53:5 )

The events of Good Friday are recounted in all four Gospels of the New Testament. According to the Gospels, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper with His disciples.  He was then put on trial before Pontius Pilate.

"Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people." ( John 18:12-14 )

He was then taken to trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, where he was falsely accused of blasphemy. He was then sent to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, who sentenced Him to crucifixion at the demand of the chief Jewish priests.

"I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” ( John 18:20-21 )

“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising. ( John 18:38-40 )

The Crucifixion of Jesus:

As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.

Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God !”

In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. ( Matthew 27:32-44 )

From the Gospel of Luke:

Jesus was led to Calvary, where He was crucified between two thieves.

"Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with Him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left" ( Luke 23:33-34 )

He hung on the cross for six hours, during which time He spoke seven last words . At about 3:00 pm, He gave up His spirit.

What Are the Important Characteristics that Cause Authentic Christians to Stand Out?

"It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last." ( Luke 23:44-46 )

The Death of Jesus

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment, the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene , Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. ( Matthew 27:45-56 )

Good Friday Fulfilled : "He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed." ( 1 Peter 2:24 )

The True Meaning of Good Friday

For Christians, Good Friday is a day of mourning and reflection. It is a time to remember the great sacrifice that Jesus made for all of humanity. It is also a time to remember the power of God's love and the promise of eternal life.

Good Friday is also a day of hope and new beginnings. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. Jesus' death on the cross was not the end but rather the beginning of something new. Through his resurrection, Jesus conquered death and opened the way for eternal life for all who believe in him.

Bible Verses about Good Friday

Romans 5:6-10 - "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!"

1 Peter 2:24 - “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Isaiah 53:3-5 - "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

Good Friday Observations

Here are some of the traditions Christians have observed on Good Friday when commemorating Jesus' death on the Cross.

Strict Fasting and Prayer

Many observe Good Friday as a day to fast and pray . The physical act of fasting is to abstain from food or activity to devote that time to prayer. Many Christians observe Good Friday as a day of fasting and prayer to focus on the suffering and sacrifice of the Lord but also as a day to refocus attention on the Father. Fasting and prayer remove distractions and open an opportunity to hear the heart of the Father. Fasting on Good Friday is a helpful way to unite one’s focus to Christ.

Church Services

Attending a church service is common on Good Friday. The Easter season begins with Lent six weeks prior with an Ash Wednesday service in many denominations and leads up to events during Easter week. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, Good Friday the sacrifice and suffering of Christ, and Easter Sunday celebrates the fulfilled promise of Christ raising just as He promised. Many denominations have weekly services, including Good Friday, to ponder such a somber day.

Solemn Hymns

The singing of hymns or songs to the Lord is a way to worship Him through song. Some churches make specific observations between 12 noon and 3 pm, or the hours in which Christ was on the cross to worship the Lord in song. You can sing with the people you live with or even get on a video call with your small group or family and sing together.

Burial Shroud

This Good Friday practice is more common among the Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches. According to OrthoChristian.com , 

"The Holy Shroud is taken out of the altar on Friday afternoon during the Vespers of Great Saturday, at the third hour of Holy Friday—that is, the hour of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross (the service usually begins at about two o’clock in the afternoon). The Holy Shroud is carried out of the altar and placed into the tomb in the middle of the church. This is a raised platform adorned with flowers and perfumed as a symbol of our sorrow at the death of Christ. The Gospel is laid in the center of the Shroud. As the Shroud is carried out, the hymn “Noble Joseph" is sung:"

"The noble Joseph, when he had taken down Thy most pure body from the Tree, wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, and placed it in a new tomb."

Prayer for Good Friday

Justin Holcomb  is an Episcopal priest who teaches theology at Reformed and Knox Theological Seminary. Justin wrote  On the Grace of God  and co-authored with his wife Lindsey  Rid of My Disgrace  and  Save Me from Violence . He is also the editor of  Christian Theologies of Scripture . You can find him on  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  JustinHolcomb.com .  

Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/DesignPics

Learn more about the meaning and significance behind the Easter holiday and Holy Week celebrations:

What is Lent? and When Does Lent Start? What is Ash Wednesday? and When is Ash Wednesday? What is Palm Sunday? What is Maundy Thursday? What is Good Friday? and When is Good Friday? What is Holy Saturday?

What is Easter? and When is Easter Sunday? Easter Bible Verses The Resurrection of Jesus  Easter Prayers

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On Good Friday, Reflections on Jesus’ Seven Last Words

April 7, 2023 — As Jesus hung on the cross, he uttered seven last phrases of great meaning to those contemplating his passion and death. Today, on Good Friday, we remember his Seven Last Words, which have been widely used in Good Friday homilies.

The tradition was begun in the 17th century by a Jesuit priest in Peru. He developed a service of meditations for Good Friday based on the last words of Jesus, and the devotion spread around the world. Jesus’s last words, as recorded in the Gospels, became part of the church’s Lenten tradition.

The Seven Last Words are traditionally part of a Good Friday service and often include some element of music, prayer or reflection. Most churches choose seven different speakers. At St. Ignatius Church in New York City,  Good Friday’s Seven Last Words devotion  will include a variety of perspectives. The Jesuit church has invited a Lutheran pastor, an Anglican rector, a lay teacher from Loyola School in New York and a Jesuit priest, among others, to reflect on the words Jesus spoke from the cross.

Father Timothy Kesicki, SJ, director of the Campaign for Descendants Truth and Reconciliation Trust and Foundation, has also preached on the subject. “When we suffer the most … we can cry out and God will save us,” said Fr. Kesicki of Jesus’ last words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

“Jesus is on the cross; his nerves, his body, his blood, his anguish is ours. And in the midst of this excruciating pain he makes the ultimate confession: There is a God and God will hear me. How many times have we allowed ourselves to bear the depth of our soul to God?”

Fr. Kesicki recalled meeting a recent widower on his way out of church. The man told Fr. Kesicki that he was “angry at the big guy.” Fr. Kesicki pointed to the doors of the church and said, “The walls inside those doors are built for screaming. God wants all of you, so let God know how you feel. How else will he know the depths of your love?”

Fr. James Martin, SJ, bestselling author and editor-at-large of America Media, has also delivered homilies on the Seven Last Words on Good Friday. The homily Fr. Martin gave at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City became the basis for his book “ Seven Last Words .”

In the book’s introduction, Fr. Martin said, “If there is an overarching theme in my own reflections, it is the way that Jesus’ sufferings help him to understand us. … The person to whom we pray, the man we hope to follow, the one who is risen from the dead, understands us — because he lived a human life, and one that, particularly in his final week, was filled with suffering.”

Fr. Martin hopes Jesus’ words on the cross invite us to a deeper friendship with the Savior. And he wants people to remember that “Good Friday was a single day in Jesus’ life. In other words, Jesus’ life was not all suffering and pain.”

That theme is echoed too by Fr. Kesicki, who sees the triumph of the human spirit even in the face of death in Jesus’ last words. “As long as there is a single man, woman or child on earth with the grace to be changed by this self-emptying love, he or she can take up the cross and follow him.”

Jesus’ deepest yearning, said Fr. Kesicki, was “to complete what he had been born to do. More than anything else in life, he wanted to die for us, out of pure unconditional love for us.”

Click on the links below to listen to each part of Fr. Kesicki’s reflections from his Good Friday homily or find them all on  iTunes .

The Seven Last Words

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” “Woman, this is your son” . . . “This is your mother.” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” “I thirst.” “It is finished.” “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” [Sources:  Loyola Press ,  U.S. Catholic ,  The Word Among Us ]

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What Is Good Friday?

Discover what Good Friday means to Christians

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Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of Jesus Christ. Many Christians spend Good Friday in fasting, prayer, repentance , and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ.

Bible References to Good Friday

The biblical account of Jesus' death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial, and his resurrection, or raising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.

What Happened on Good Friday?

On Good Friday, Christians focus on Jesus Christ's death. The night before he died, Jesus and his disciples took part in the Last Supper and then went to the Garden of Gethsemane. There, Jesus spent his last hours praying to the Father while his disciples slept nearby:

"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.'" (Matthew 26:39, NIV)

"This cup" was death by crucifixion , one of the most dreaded and painful methods of execution in the ancient world. But "this cup" also represented something even worse than crucifixion. Christ knew in death he would take on the sins of the world—even the most heinous crimes ever committed—to set believers free from sin and death:

"He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood." (Luke 22:44, NLT)

Before morning dawned, Jesus was arrested. At daybreak, he was questioned by the Sanhedrin and condemned. But before they could put him to death, the religious leaders first needed Rome to approve of their death sentence. Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate , the Roman governor in Judea. Pilate found no reason to charge Jesus. When he discovered that Jesus was from Galilee, which was under Herod's jurisdiction, Pilate had Jesus sent to Herod who was in Jerusalem at the time.

Jesus refused to answer Herod's questions, so Herod sent him back to Pilate. Although Pilate found him innocent, he feared the crowds who wanted Jesus crucified, so he sentenced Jesus to death.

Jesus was brutally beaten, mocked, struck on the head with a staff and spit on. A crown of thorns was placed on his head and he was stripped naked. He was made to carry his own cross, but when he grew too weak, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry it for him.

Jesus was led to Calvary where soldiers drove stake-like nails through his wrists and ankles, affixing him to the cross. An inscription that read "King of the Jews" was placed over his head. Jesus hung on the cross for approximately six hours until he took his final breath. While he was on the cross, soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothing. Onlookers shouted insults and jeered.

Two criminals were crucified at the same time. One hung on Jesus' right and the other on his left (Luke 23:39-43). At one point, Jesus cried out to his father, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?"

Then darkness blanketed the land. As Jesus gave up his spirit, an earthquake shook the ground and caused the temple curtain to rip in half from top to bottom:

"At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people." (Matthew 27:51-53, NLT)

It was customary for Roman soldiers to break the criminal's legs, causing death to come more quickly. But only the thieves had their legs broken. When the soldiers came to Jesus, he was already dead.

As evening fell, Joseph of Arimathea (with the help of Nicodemus ) took Jesus' body down from the cross and had him placed in his own new tomb. A great stone was rolled over the entrance, sealing the tomb. 

Why Is Good Friday Called "Good?"

In Christianity, God is holy and humans are sinful; holiness is incompatible with sin , so humanity's sin separates us from God. The punishment for sin is eternal death. But human death and animal sacrifices are insufficient to atone for sin. Atonement requires a perfect, spotless sacrifice, offered in just the right way.

Christians believe that Jesus Christ was the one and only perfect God-man, that his death provided the perfect atoning sacrifice for sin and that through Jesus, our own sins can be forgiven. Consequently, when we accept Jesus Christ's payment for sin, he washes away our sin and restores our right standing with God; God's mercy and grace make salvation possible and we receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. These beliefs explain why the date of Jesus' crucifixion is considered a "Good" Friday.

• Timeline of Jesus' Death
• Facts About the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
• The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
• Meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
• Holy Week Timeline: From Palm Sunday to the Resurrection
• Spread the Message of Love on Good Friday
• Bible Verses for Easter
• What Easter Means to Christians
• Not My Will But Yours Be Done
• 7 Last Words of Jesus Christ on the Cross
• Joseph of Arimathea, Donor of Jesus' Tomb
• Holy Saturday
• Poems About the Crucifixion
• Why Did Jesus Have to Die?
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• 29 Bible Verses About Death

English Essay, Paragraph, Speech on “Good Friday” for Kids, Students of Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 Board Examination.

Essay on “good friday” .

Good Friday is the day when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. The death of Christ on the cross was an entirely unpardonable crime against the human being, but he rose again three days conquering death and sin. Good Friday is celebrated in various ways like fasting, self-sacrifice and other forms of renunciation. This is very much similar to the way Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert before he began preaching.

On this very auspicious day, a piece of wood representing the cross is displayed in churches for the believers. Every Christian kisses it in respect for Christ. This is followed by a service from noon to 3 o’clock in which the stories or gospels of Jesus are recited to commemorate the suffering endured by Jesus Christ for three hours. This is followed by a general communion service at midnight. In some churches, mourners wearing black objects move in procession with an image of Christ, and ceremonial burial are organised. A day of prayer and penance, the bells of the churches remain silent on Good Friday.

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Essay on Good Friday: A Day of Reflection and Reverence

Good Friday holds a sacred place in the Christian calendar, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his selfless sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. Observed during Holy Week, this day invites believers to reflect on the profound significance of Christ’s passion and the ultimate expression of divine love. This essay explores the essence of Good Friday, its rituals, and the spiritual depth it brings to Christian communities.

Quick Overview:

• Crucifixion Commemoration: Good Friday marks the culmination of the Passion of Christ, symbolizing his crucifixion at Golgotha. It is a day of solemn reflection, emphasizing the suffering and sacrifice endured by Jesus for the salvation of mankind.
• Religious Observances: Christian communities worldwide observe Good Friday through solemn liturgical services. Churches hold special prayers, scripture readings, and processions, with a focus on the Stations of the Cross, representing pivotal moments in Jesus’ journey to the crucifixion.
• Fasting and Abstinence: Good Friday is often observed with fasting and abstinence as a symbolic gesture of self-discipline and solidarity with Christ’s sacrifice. Believers abstain from meat and engage in acts of penance, emphasizing humility and repentance.
• Quiet Contemplation: Many Christians spend Good Friday in quiet contemplation and meditation on the Passion narrative. It is a time for personal reflection, repentance, and gratitude for the profound gift of redemption offered through Jesus’ sacrifice.
• Unity and Community: Good Friday fosters a sense of unity within Christian communities as believers gather to share in the collective remembrance of Christ’s crucifixion. The somber atmosphere encourages a shared experience of faith, compassion, and reverence.

Conclusion: In conclusion, Good Friday stands as a poignant day of spiritual significance, inviting believers to delve into the depths of their faith and reflect on the central tenet of Christianity—the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. As Christians worldwide participate in the rituals and observances of Good Friday, the day becomes a sacred journey, fostering a profound connection to the divine narrative of redemption.

The rituals of Good Friday, from the Stations of the Cross to the liturgical services, provide a structured framework for believers to engage in acts of devotion and remembrance. The fasting and abstinence underscore the solemnity of the occasion, while the quiet contemplation allows individuals to internalize the spiritual teachings inherent in the crucifixion story.

Good Friday, with its emphasis on unity, community, and humility, serves as a testament to the enduring message of Christ’s sacrifice. It is a day that transcends denominational boundaries, drawing Christians from various traditions together in a shared experience of faith and reverence. As the Christian community commemorates Good Friday each year, the enduring resonance of Christ’s sacrifice continues to inspire believers to live lives of compassion, love, and gratitude.

Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.

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Essay on Good Friday | History, Importance, & Celebrations

January 16, 2020 by Study Mentor Leave a Comment

Good Friday is the day which is remembered as the day when the Son of God, Jesus was crucified. This day Jesus died on the cross sacrificing himself for our sins.

Good Friday and Holy Saturday is the only two days of the Holy Week of Lent when no mass is celebrated.

But there is adoration service and mourning on the death of Jesus. On Good Friday, people fast and remember the death of Jesus Christ. Good Friday is considered as a public holiday all around the world.

Table of Contents

What is Lent?

Lent refers to the forty days of sacrifice and prayer to the Son of God. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday after which there is a celebration for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, Jesus did not eat anything during the period of forty days.

He was in the desert preparing for his ministry and fought against Satan. During the season of Lent of the Holy Catholic Church, Christians fast and sacrifice.

They spend their time praying to God and follow what Jesus had done in that forty days. During the season of Lent, the altar in the church is not decorated with flowers and no Alleluia songs are sung in the Holy Mass.

History of Good Friday

Jesus had twelve disciples but one of them named Judas betrayed him. Judas gave thirty pieces of silver to the guards of temple and got him arrested.

After this he was forced to go the house of the high priest’s father-in-law. He questioned Jesus but did not get proper answers.

Then, he was under the captive of the high priest, Caiaphas. Many people had gathered there. Some of them even gave testimonies against the Son of God.

All the high priests there ordered him to take a solemn oath. He agreed to the oath and said in front of them that yes he was the Son of God and soon they would see him seated at the right hand of the Almighty. His death sentence was made and even Peter denied to know him.

The next day Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. He was charged for refusing to pay the taxes to Caesar and calling himself a king.

The governor ordered the Jewish leaders to decide on this issue according to their laws. But the Jewish leaders were not ready to decide on the death sentence.

Later, Pilate came to know that Jesus belonged to Galilee. So, they shifted the case to King Herod, the ruler of Galilee. Jesus was questioned even by King Herod.

But there was no answer. Pilate then informed the crowd that neither he nor King Herod found Jesus guilty.

The crowded demanded to call Barabbas who was a prisoner. When the crowd was asked by the governor about their relation with Jesus, they demanded to crucify Jesus.

Pilate became afraid with the demand of the crowd. He called Jesus to his palace and asked him from where he is. After Pilate came to know the answer, he told the crowd that Jesus was not guilty.

He did not want any unrest to take place so handed Jesus to the crowd. Jesus was made to carry the cross till the place of execution, Golgotha.

He was helped by Simon to carry the cross. Jesus fell thrice till he reached Golgotha. He was hung on the cross, nailed and a crown of thorns was put on his head.

He was crucified there along with two criminals. Jesus was on the cross for six hours. After which Nicodemus, Jesus’ follower held his body and wrapped it. Then, he was put in the tomb.

This is what Good Friday is all about. Jesus rose on the third day which people celebrate as his resurrection day.

Why is it known as Good Friday?

From the history of Good Friday, it is seen that it was a sad moment for the Christians. Jesus was crucified on this day and he died for us. Then why is a sad day called Good Friday? The world is full of sins. Jesus sacrificed and died on the cross for us.

He was ready to bear all the wrong doings of his followers. He wanted his followers to celebrate his resurrection as a joyous day. He did not want his people to suffer anymore.

He won against the evil. It is because of Jesus’ sacrifice that people are forgiven from their sins and they receive peace.

How is Good Friday celebrated?

The day of Good Friday begins with fasting. No holy mass is celebrated in the church. Instead, the followers perform the Way of the Cross.

The Way of the Cross refers to the fourteen stations which show the journey of Jesus till his death. It begins when Jesus was sentenced to death and ends with the body of Jesus put in the tomb.

The images of the fourteen stations are present in every church. After the Way of the Cross, people sing hymns which are about the mourning and death of Jesus. On this day, the altar is left empty.

Silence is maintained in the church. A cross similar to the one when Jesus was crucified is placed in front of the altar. The people pray in front of this cross and kiss the cross.

The Holy Communion is given to the people but the one which was sanctified on Holy Thursday by the priests. This day is spent by praying and remembering the death of Jesus.

Importance of Good Friday

Good Friday is an important day for every Christian or for anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. On this day, looking at the Cross people try to understand what did Jesus sacrifice for his people.

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Essay on Good Friday in English

The significance of good friday: a day of reflection and remembrance.

Good Friday, a sacred observance in the Christian calendar, holds profound significance for believers around the world. It marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in Christian theology that symbolizes the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. This essay explores the historical, religious, and cultural significance of Good Friday as a day of reflection, remembrance, and spiritual contemplation.

Historically, Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, believed to have occurred in Jerusalem over two thousand years ago. According to Christian scriptures, Jesus willingly endured immense suffering and death on the cross, fulfilling a divine purpose to atone for humanity’s sins. The events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, including his betrayal, trial, and crucifixion, are central to Christian faith and serve as a cornerstone of Christian theology.

Religiously, Good Friday holds deep spiritual significance for Christians worldwide. It is a day of solemn observance and reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Many Christians attend special church services that recount the events of Jesus’ crucifixion through scripture readings, hymns, prayers, and sermons. These services often emphasize themes of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption, inviting believers to contemplate the profound love and mercy demonstrated by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Culturally, Good Friday is observed in diverse ways across different Christian traditions and cultures. In some regions, elaborate processions and reenactments of the Stations of the Cross are held, allowing participants to physically journey through the events of Jesus’ final hours. Others engage in acts of fasting, prayer, and charitable works as expressions of devotion and solidarity with Jesus’ suffering. Throughout history, Good Friday has inspired art, literature, music, and other forms of cultural expression that reflect the depth of its spiritual significance.

Beyond its religious and cultural dimensions, Good Friday serves as a universal reminder of the human capacity for sacrifice, compassion, and redemption. It prompts individuals of all faiths and backgrounds to reflect on the enduring themes of suffering, forgiveness, and hope. In a world marked by division, conflict, and suffering, the message of Good Friday resonates as a beacon of compassion and reconciliation, calling humanity to strive for unity, justice, and peace.

In conclusion, Good Friday stands as a solemn and sacred day in the Christian calendar, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. It is a day of reflection, remembrance, and spiritual contemplation, inviting believers to contemplate the profound significance of Jesus’ death on the cross. Across cultures and traditions, Good Friday inspires individuals to embrace themes of sacrifice, compassion, and forgiveness, offering a timeless message of hope and redemption for all.

Read More: 10 Lines on Easter Sunday in English

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Paragraph on Good Friday

Jesus was the founder of Christianity, one of the major religions of the world. He was born in Bethlehem. However, the date of their birth is not clearly mentioned. He was a holy child born in the house of Joseph and Mary. He was considered as the “son of God”. He helped many people throughout his life. He sacrificed his life for the peccancy of the people.

Short and Long Paragraphs on Good Friday

Here, I’m providing some paragraphs on Good Friday under different word limits so that it could be useful for students of all age groups to understand this topic.

Paragraph 1 – 100 Words(Good Friday as “Black Friday”)

Good Friday is observed in order to remember the crucifixion death of Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ was the son of God. It is the day on which Jesus was brutally exposed to death.

Some people consider this day as “Black Friday” or the mourning and sorrowful day. While some people consider it as “Holy Friday”, the day of joy.

Good Friday is observed annually, mostly in the month of April. However, the dates are not fixed. The Western Christianity uses the Gregorian calendar whereas the Eastern Christianity uses the Julian calendar to verify the dates of Easter and Good Friday. 

Paragraph 2 – 120 Words

Some people mention Good Friday as a happy day because they believe that Jesus saved them and freed them from their sins. He sacrificed his life which teaches us the lesson of humanity.

Good Friday is recognized by different names in different languages. In Latin it is referred as “Feria Sexta” (Friday of preparation), in Dutch this day is called “Goede Vrijdag”, in Germany, “Karfreitag” (Mourning Friday), in Arabic this day is known as “Great Friday”, the Bulgarian uses either “Crucified Friday” or “Great Friday” to mark this day. The people who spoke French and Spanish consider this day as “Holy Friday”.

Many Christian countries observe holidays on the occasion of Good Friday. However, some non-Christian countries also observe holidays on this day.

Paragraph 3 – 150 Words

Good Friday is a sorrowful day for the Christian people. It does not involve any celebration. Some people even perform fast to show their sorrow.

The day is considered as the mourning day by the Christian community. Therefore, no special feast and activities take place on this day.

On this day, people go to church and worship Jesus. They thank Jesus for everything. Reciting hymns, reading bibles, prayer ceremonies, etc are organized in the churches.

The evening before Friday is marked as Maundy Thursday. It is believed that Jesus had supper for the last time on this day. After three days of Good Friday, that is on Sunday, Easter is celebrated. According to the Christian mythologies, on this day Jesus again came to life.

Jesus was hanged and buried but after three days, he was found alive. And hence people celebrate Easter or the resurrection of Jesus on the Sunday after the Good Friday.

Paragraph 4 – 200 Words                                           

Here is the story associated with the observance of Good Friday and the celebration of Easter.

Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ betrayed him and informed the royal soldiers about his residing in the Gethsemane. He was rewarded with 30 silver coins. He pointed to Jesus by kissing him. Jesus was arrested by the soldiers.

The Jewish authorities claimed that Jesus wanted to become a religious leader by considering himself as the son of God. He was questioned many times. At first, he was silent but later he responded. At that time there was a Passover custom, which means the general public is asked to whom they release and what punishment should be given to the other prisoner. The crowd responded “crucify him” on the secret orders of the chief priest. And Jesus was sentenced to death.

A crown of thrones was placed on the head of Jesus. He was crucified along with two others at Jerusalem. He was alive for 6 hours. At the last hour, from noon to 3 the environment turned dark. His last words were “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Jesus was buried in a tomb near the crucifixion site. On Sunday, Jesus was seen alive. On this day, Christians celebrate Easter.

Paragraph 5 – 250 Words

Good Friday is also observed as the end of “Lent”, 40 days of fast for Christians. The whole week is considered as the holy week. It starts from “Palm Sunday” to the Monday after Easter celebration which is known as “Bright Monday” or “Renewal Monday”.

The term Good Friday originated from God’s Friday. However, it is known by different names. In most Latin countries, people consider this day as “mourning day” whereas in some Eastern countries people celebrate this day as “Great and Holy Friday”.

On this day the Christian community observes fast. The father in the church recites the Bible (holy book of Christians). People pray and remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. No celebration takes place on this day. The days, Friday and Saturday are considered as the mourning day. However, on the next day that is on Sunday Easter is celebrated.

In Jerusalem, the place where Jesus died, people follow his footsteps. They walk to the site where crucifixion takes place. They also try to carry out weights on their back the same as Jesus did.

Significance

Good Friday is marked as the crucifixion day of Jesus Christ. It is observed in the holy week which starts from Sunday (before Easter) to Monday (after Easter). The dates of Easter and Good Friday vary every year.

Christian observe religious holiday on this day. Countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, etc observe public holiday on the occasion of Good Friday.

The death and resurrection of Jesus shows that “Good always wins over bad”.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Good Friday

Ans. Some Christians consider this day as a holy day on which Jesus sacrificed his life for the sins of the world.

Ans. Italy, Afghanistan, Japan, Bhutan, Pakistan, etc do not observe holidays on Good Friday.

Ans. Good Friday is mostly observed by Christian community.

Ans. No, Good Friday is a gazette holiday in India.

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Essay on Good Friday for Students and Children in 1000 Words

In this article, read an essay on Good friday for students and children in 1000 words. This includes its history and observation, celebration, about Jesus, and important facts in lines.

Table of Contents

In the entire world, there are different kinds of people are living and following various cultural activities and religions. 

History and Observation of Good Friday

Good Friday is a famous Christian festival. It is usually celebrated on Friday between March 20 and April 23, before Easter Sunday, and is also called Good Friday or Great Friday. Further, this festival is celebrated as the Crucifixion Day of the Lord Jesus.

Importance of Good Friday

They believe that he sacrificed himself for humankind on the big cross or crucifix. They observe this day as an essential feast of up to forty days. The last week of this period is called a holy week, and this is the day, or Good Friday comes in this week.

Celebration of Good Friday

If we study, then it is written in the book of the Bible that Jesus was crucified for six hours and was executed. During this time, each of the four sides clouded the day. After his passing, the fire consumed, and all the graves were opened. From that point forward, this day is commended each year as Good Friday. Supplication will be offered in the congregation at 3:00 on Good Friday.

Crucifixion of Jesus

After this, they issued the decree of issuing the death penalty, accusing Jesus of treason. After they issued the death penalty, they crucified Jesus. Crowning people inflicted many physical tortures. Eventually, they were hung on a cross with nails.

10 Lines on Good Friday Event

We say that Great Friday is an exceptionally wonderful day for Christians. As per Christianity, they executed the Lord Jesus Christ on this day to benefit his supporters.

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Though the day has been historically referred to as “good,” meaning “pious,” it is often a time marked with sadness and introspection. Despite misunderstanding, the name is not a variation of “God Friday,” but plainly refers to auspiciousness and righteousness. There are many holidays that contain the adjective “good,” and it refers to days that are holy according to the church (“Who, What, Why: Why Is Good Friday Called Good Friday?”). According to Britannica, “From the early days of Christianity, Good Friday was observed as a day of sorrow, penance, and fasting, a characteristic that finds expression in the German word Karfreitag (“Sorrowful Friday”)” (Hillerbrand, Hans J.). However, the question of when to commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion has been hotly debated for centuries. As Britannica states, “Until the 4th century, Jesus’ Last Supper, his death, and his Resurrection were observed in one single commemoration on the evening before Easter. Since then, those three events have been observed separately—Easter, as the commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection, being considered the pivotal event” (Hillerbrand, Hans J.). With these variances, the way people celebrated the holiday has also been widely different. However, since Good Friday is not particularly secular in nature, it has not become so widespread as Christmas and Easter.

Though Good Friday is less intense in the modern era in many ways, back in the 4th century, when the commemoration began, it had a more intense nature. It was first recorded by a Spanish nun named Egeria. According to Slate, “Egeria’s description of Holy Week in Jerusalem also includes the first eyewitness account of the practice of venerating the cross—in her case, the “true cross” recently discovered by St. Helena—on Good Friday. Awed by being present for worship on the spot where Jesus had been crucified, Egeria wrote in painstaking detail to her community back home all that she saw going on in what is now the Church of the Holy Sepulchre” (Breyer, Chloe). These diary entries by Egeria became the foundation how Good Friday celebrations. Fasting and even self-harm became traditions following this initial practice.

As mentioned before, the way Christians observe Good Friday has changed over the years according to each denomination . For instance, the Roman Catholic Church does not observe mass on Good Friday, but public worship is conducted. This liturgy consists of reading the Passion narrative, adoring the cross, and Holy Communion (though lay people could only partake in Communion since 1955). In addition, from the 17th century, Catholics adopted the Jesuit practice of the Three Hour Service, which is a meditation on “Seven Last Words on the Cross.” In turn, Eastern Orthodox members observe similar traditions but without Communion on Good Friday. More traditions are included, as according to Britannica, “In the Anglican Communion, The Book of Common Prayer similarly provides for a Good Friday reception of the “reserved sacrament,” the consumption of bread and wine that was consecrated the previous day. The Three Hour Service has become common in North American churches, and a variety of liturgical services are held on Good Friday in other Protestant churches. With the revival of a liturgical emphasis in Protestantism in the second half of the 20th century, a distinct trend of adopting Catholic ritual (no use of the organ in the service, draping of the cross, baring of the altar, etc.) developed” (Hillerbrand, Hans J.). As you can see, the melding and mixing of traditions across Christian denominations have taken place, though there are certain differences between each flavor of practice in regard to Good Friday.

Good Friday began to be celebrated in the 4th century, and was first recorded in a diary by a Spanish nun named Egeria. From that early time, from worshipping the cross on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus, it has turned into much more, with fasting, meditation, prayers, Holy Communion, reading of certain Biblical passages, and other liturgy. Despite its worldwide practice, due to its intense religious nature, it has not become as popular to observe as Christmas and Easter, which are more secular in nature.

Works Cited

Hillerbrand, Hans J. “Good Friday.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 28 Feb. 2018, www.britannica.com/topic/Good-Friday.

Breyer, Chloe. “How One Woman Impacted the Holy Week Liturgies.” Slate Magazine, Slate, 6 Apr. 2007, slate.com/human-interest/2007/04/how-one-woman-impacted-the-holy-week-liturgies.html.

“Who, What, Why: Why Is Good Friday Called Good Friday?” BBC News, BBC, 18 Apr. 2014, www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-27067136.

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English Essay/Paragraph/Speech on “Good Friday” for Kids and Students for Class 8, 9, 10, Class 12 and Graduation Examination

Good friday.

Good Friday is the day when Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. The death, of Christ on the cross was an entirely unpardonable crime against the human being, but he rose again three days conquering death and sin. Good Friday is celebrated in various ways like fasting, self-sacrifice and other forms of renunciation. This is very much similar to the way Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert before he began preaching.

On this very auspicious day, a piece of wood representing the cross is displayed in churches for the believers. Every Christian kisses it in respect for Christ. This is followed by a service from noon to 3 o’ Clock in which the stories or gospels of Jesus are recited to commemorate the suffering endured by Jesus Christ for three hours. This is followed by a general communion service at midnight. In some churches, mourners wearing black objects, move in procession with an image of Christ and ceremonial burial are organized. A day of prayer and penance, the bells of the churches remain silent on Good Friday.

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Essay on Good Friday in 100 Words, 150 Words, 200 Words, 250 Words and 300 Words

Essay on good friday.

Good Friday is an important day in the Christian faith commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a day of reflection and devotion, inspiring believers to live a life of humility, compassion, and forgiveness. This essay on Good Friday explores the significance of Good Friday, including its observances and practices, as well as its message of love and sacrifice. It emphasizes the importance of following the example of Jesus Christ and renewing our commitment to living a life of faith and service to others.

Essay on Good Friday 100 Words

Good Friday is a significant religious holiday observed by Christians around the world. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed his life for the forgiveness of sins. The day is also known as Holy Friday or Black Friday and is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday.

On Good Friday, Christians reflect on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who willingly accepted death on the cross. Many churches hold special services, including the reading of the passion narrative and the veneration of the cross. Fasting and abstinence are also commonly practiced as a way of showing repentance and solidarity with Jesus Christ.

Good Friday is a solemn day, but it is also a reminder of the hope and redemption that Jesus Christ offers. It serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that was made for humanity, and inspires believers to live a life of love, compassion, and forgiveness.

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Essay on Good Friday 150 Words

Good Friday is a significant day in the Christian calendar that marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday and is also known as Holy Friday or Black Friday. On this day, Christians around the world commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave his life to atone for the sins of humanity.

Many churches hold special services on Good Friday, which include the reading of the passion narrative, the veneration of the cross, and the singing of hymns. Fasting and abstinence are also common practices among Christians on this day as a way of showing repentance and solidarity with Jesus Christ.

Good Friday is a somber day, but it is also a reminder of the hope and redemption that Jesus Christ offers to all. Through his death and resurrection, believers are assured of eternal life and forgiveness of sins. The observance of Good Friday inspires Christians to live a life of love, compassion, and forgiveness, following the example of Jesus Christ.

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Good Friday Essay 200 Words

Good Friday is a sacred day for Christians all over the world. It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, who is believed to have died for the sins of humanity. It is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday and is also known as Holy Friday or Black Friday. On this day, Christians reflect on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Many churches hold special services on Good Friday. These services typically include the reading of the passion narrative, which recounts the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. The veneration of the cross is also a common practice on this day, where the faithful approach the cross to kiss it or touch it. Hymns and prayers are also an essential part of the Good Friday service.

Fasting and abstinence are also commonly observed by Christians on Good Friday. These practices are a way of showing solidarity with Jesus Christ and expressing sorrow for one's sins. It is believed that through these practices, one can draw closer to God and receive spiritual strength.

In conclusion, Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians, but it is also a reminder of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The observance of this day inspires believers to live a life of humility, compassion, and forgiveness, following the example of Jesus Christ. It is a time to reflect on one's relationship with God and to renew one's commitment to live a life of faith.

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Essay on Good Friday in 250 Words

Good Friday is an important day in the Christian calendar, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday and is also known as Holy Friday or Black Friday. On this day, Christians around the world remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and reflect on the meaning of his death.

Many churches hold special services on Good Friday. These services often include the reading of the passion narrative, which tells the story of Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The veneration of the cross is another common practice, where believers approach the cross to touch or kiss it, symbolizing their devotion to Jesus Christ. Hymns and prayers are also an essential part of the Good Friday service.

Fasting and abstinence are common practices among Christians on Good Friday. These practices are a way of showing solidarity with Jesus Christ and expressing sorrow for one's sins. It is believed that through these practices, one can draw closer to God and receive spiritual strength.

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Good Friday is a solemn day, but it is also a reminder of the hope and redemption that Jesus Christ offers to all. His death on the cross is seen as the ultimate act of love, and his resurrection on Easter Sunday is a testament to the power of God. Through his death and resurrection, believers are assured of eternal life and forgiveness of sins.

In conclusion, Good Friday is a day of reflection and devotion for Christians around the world. It reminds us of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and inspires us to live a life of humility, compassion, and forgiveness. It is a time to renew our commitment to God and to follow the example of Jesus Christ in our daily lives.

Essay on Good Friday 300 Words

Good Friday is one of the most significant religious holidays in the Christian faith, observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, who is considered the son of God and the savior of humanity. On this day, Christians around the world reflect on the meaning and significance of Jesus' sacrifice and death.

The observance of Good Friday varies in different Christian denominations and cultures. Many churches hold special services, which include the reading of the passion narrative, the veneration of the cross, and the singing of hymns. In some churches, the crucifix is veiled in black or purple cloth as a sign of mourning. Fasting and abstinence are also commonly observed by believers on this day, as a way of expressing repentance and solidarity with Jesus Christ.

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The significance of Good Friday lies in the message of love and sacrifice that it conveys. Christians believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to atone for the sins of humanity and to reconcile us with God. His death is seen as the ultimate act of love, and his resurrection on Easter Sunday is a symbol of hope and redemption.

The observance of Good Friday is a solemn and reflective occasion. It reminds Christians of the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and inspires us to live a life of humility, compassion, and forgiveness. It calls us to follow the example of Jesus Christ in our daily lives, to love and serve others, and to seek justice and peace in the world.

In conclusion, Good Friday is a significant day for Christians all over the world. It is a reminder of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and of the hope and redemption that he offers to all. As we observe this day, let us reflect on the message of the cross and renew our commitment to living a life of faith and service to others.

Hope you liked this Essay on Good Friday and it helped you in your exam preparation. In addition to this essay on Good Friday, you can read other important essays from here .

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Good Friday essay: Passion plays and the ethics of spectacular violence

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions, The University of Western Australia

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Paul Megna receives funding from The Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions.

University of Western Australia provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

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In 1985 Filipino carpenter Ruben Enaje fell three storeys and remarkably, survived. To give thanks for this good fortune, he has, for the past 30 Good Fridays, dressed up as Jesus and allowed actors portraying Roman soldiers to nail his hands and feet to a cross in the climax of his small village’s Passion play .

Passion plays are dramatic renditions of Christ’s arrest, trial, lashing, and crucifixion (and often other elements of his life such as the Resurrection). They occur all over the world around Easter .

This year, a group in Manchester briefly offered “ the full crucifixion experience ” for £750 - until the fundraiser was cancelled for being dangerous and blasphemous. But most actors in Passion plays merely simulate the extreme pain of Jesus’ death, without actually suffering it. Still, cases such as Enaje’s illustrate the deep desire of some Christians to feel Christ’s pain – a desire palpable throughout the long history of Passion plays.

There are myriad such plays each year in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. In Australia, the Iona Passion Play (first performed in 1960), the Moogerah Passion Play (first performed in 1993), and the Melbourne Passion Play (first performed in 1997) all attest to Australia’s deep seated zeal for performing and witnessing Christ’s death.

I study medieval literature and its depictions of emotion, and I have become increasingly interested in these performances. I am currently spending my weekends watching Australian Passion plays and talking to their organisers, actors, and audience members wherever possible.

As a non-Christian, it is fascinating to see often diverse communities come together in compassion around these spectacular displays of violence. But there are troubling aspects, particularly the depiction of the Jewish villains in some of the plays.

The Medieval birth of Passion plays

Passion plays hearken back to medieval Europe where they originally grew out of church rituals in which divided choirs sang the various speaking roles in Latin scripts based on the Gospel.

As these performances became increasingly embellished, cranky church officials like Gerhoh of Reichersberg began to complain that they obscured the Church’s “true face”. The Church was designed, they felt, to connect Christians to God through sacramental rituals like the Eucharist, which were performed with a pageantry not unlike that of the newer Passion plays which they saw as treading on their turf.

Their complaints culminated in Pope Innocent III issuing a Papal Edict forbidding the clergy from acting publicly. But the popular desire for Passion plays flourished as the Middle Ages progressed and secular institutions such as craft guilds began putting on elaborate performances of Christ’s life and death throughout Europe.

In late medieval England (from the late-14th to the early-16th century), dramatic performances of Christ’s tormented death stood at the centre of ambitious “ cycle dramas ” that depicted the entirety of Christian history, from creation to doomsday. These cycles were typically performed in cities like York, Chester and Coventry, not at Easter, but in June during the Feast of Corpus Christi .

Unlike Shakespeare’s plays, they were not staged in a theatre. Instead, audience members stood at various points throughout their hometown as a parade of wagons rolled by presenting episodes of Biblical history. These included, of course, the scourging and crucifixion, which were typically performed in gory detail, replete with fake blood and graphic dialogue narrating the snapping of Christ’s sinews.

Although this violence and suffering was simulated (to a degree), playing Christ was decidedly no picnic. Urban legends from France describe the perils of performing Jesus’s death, including one actor who apparently nearly asphyxiated to death on his cross. Such anecdotes have led scholars to posit that medieval actors portraying the dying Christ subscribed to a theory of acting – a sort of medieval equivalent to “ method acting ” – according to which the actor must actually suffer pain comparable (if not tantamount) to Christ’s.

Gazing at the spectacle of pain

Medieval performances of Christ’s suffering and death catered to “ affective piety ”: an emotionally driven brand of Christian devotion popular in the high and late Middle Ages. This was centred on experiencing compassion – a word deriving from the Latin “cum patior” (to suffer with) - for Christ’s torment. Suffering with Christ, in this view, was a fundamental part of Christian worship.

One of the few lines uttered by the mostly silent Christ of the York Corpus Christi Cycle’s Crucifixion Pageant (which continues to be performed every few years by the citizens of York minster ) explicitly enjoins the audience to gaze at the spectacle of his pain:

Behold mine head, mine hands, my feet, And fully feel now ere ye fine [i.e. before you pass] If any mourning may be meet [i.e. equal] Or mischief measured unto mine.

Not all medieval Christians agreed that witnessing such extreme violence could accomplish important devotional work. Some, such as the author of the Tretise of Miraclis Pleyinge , argued that performances of Christ’s acts made their audience take them too lightly, dangerously reducing their essential dread of God.

Today, we heatedly debate whether fictional portrayals of violence contribute to real-life violence. After the release of Mel Gibson’s shockingly brutal film The Passion of the Christ in 2004, which owes much to medieval Passion plays, Christians debated the devotional value of witnessing the violence done to Christ.

In an interview , Gibson asserted that he wanted his film to be shocking to reveal “the enormity” of Christ’s sacrifice. In another context, Gibson argued: “ to those who complain about the violence of my film I have two words: Kill Bill .” Gibson seemed to imply that his film condemned violence, rather than glorifying it (as Tarantino’s films do).

Defenders of his film tend to agree with his assessment. Detractors call it “ Christian torture porn .” Like beauty, it seems, the devotional value of spectacular violence is in the eye of the beholder.

The uses and abuses of compassion

Passion plays such as the York Pageant do more than ask their audience to feel Christ’s pain. They also criticise humanity’s capacity to eschew compassion, as the Roman soldiers do who callously nail Christ to a cross, dislocating his limbs in the process. This lesson, I think, is particularly vital today, at a moment when compassion for those from other cultures appears to be at a low ebb.

Sadly, medieval Passion plays frequently contributed to the sorts of uncompassionate violence that the York Pageant criticises. By portraying Jewish priests like Annas and Caiaphas as hardhearted and vindictive murderers of Christ, some plays stirred antisemitic sentiment that occasionally fuelled violent attacks on Jewish communities . Consequently, Easter became a time of terror for medieval Europe’s Jews, leading many to go into hiding.

Cultural memory of such incidents remains with us to this day. Prior to the release of The Passion of the Christ, some people expressed anxieties that Gibson’s film would incite similar hatred. Thankfully, there have been no recorded instances of antisemitic violence fuelled by Gibson’s massively popular film. But students of religion continue to debate the extent to which medieval Passion plays and their modern descendants traffic in antisemitism.

Passion plays have been adapted and reworked to reflect the concerns of the day. For instance, each decade in Upper Bavaria thousands of inhabitants perform one of Europe’s longest-running Passion plays: the famous Oberammergau Passion Play . The script is based on manuscripts dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Prior to World War II, the play featured prominent antisemitic elements. The Nazis capitalised on its performance in 1934 , which Hitler attended. Though the script has subsequently been revised to downplay these elements, its treatment of Jewish characters remains controversial .

In Colorado, a large-scale production called the The Thorn featuring displays of martial arts and aerial acrobatics has been described as “The Passion of the Christ meets Cirque du Soleil”. A 2014 performance of the Edinburgh Passion Play reflected the concerns about social breakdown during the public debate leading up to the vote on Scotland’s 2014 Independence Referendum.

Christ on stage down under

Several Passion plays are held throughout Australia, taking place during the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. I recently attended the travelling Iona Passion Play in Wagga Wagga and felt quite conflicted about what I saw. On the one hand, I saw a diverse cast and audience come together in reverence of Christ’s doctrine of absolute forgiveness.

On the other hand, the play dwelt at some length (as does Gibson’s film) on the perfidy of the high priests Caiphas and Annas, who viciously utter lines such as “compassion towards this man is weakness!” True, the treachery of Caiphas and Annas is attested in the Gospels and the Iona play featured another Jewish priest, Joseph, who adamantly refuses to condemn Christ (suggesting, perhaps, that they were not all bad).

However, the actor playing Annas employed a heavy, faux-Hebrew accent as he plotted, ranted, raved, and demanded that Pilate crucify Christ (as in Luke 23.21 ). Why was Annas audibly coded as Jewish through his lisped lines, while other, more admirable characters who were historically no less Jewish, including Christ himself and his mother Mary, spoke with unadorned Australian accents?

The Moogerah Passion Play is a large, outdoor affair performed on Lake Moogerah in Queensland, attracting thousands of audience members to its most well attended performance on Good Friday. Both the Iona and the Moogerah productions are insistently nondenominational and their Mission Statements express a desire to unite Christians of every persuasion. The Moogerah Passion Play busses in Hindus and Muslims every year to watch the performance as well, inviting them to share their perceptions of the play with actors and other audience members after the show.

The Melbourne Passion Play takes place at Holy Cross Centre in Templestowe, depicting Christ’s life, from his Baptism through his resurrection. As well as these established plays, more ephemeral performances of Christ’s life and death crop up in Australia every year.

For example, on March 31 and April 1, Melbourne University’s Jane Davidson directed two performances called Passion, Lament, Glory at St. Paul’s Cathedral, which combined genres and placed women at the heart of the story of Christ’s death. Opera soprano Jacqueline Porter performed Handel ’s Salve Regina, John the Baptist delivered a sermon, a chorus implanted in the audience broke out surprisingly into song upon Christ’s appearance, modern dancers performed a feminine lament at Christ’s death, and for the grand finale the actor playing Christ performed an aerial dance up a rope, signifying the Ascension.

Despite its many uses of contemporary art forms, certain moments of Passion, Lament, Glory, such as its depiction of Christ’s scourging, owe much to the medieval tradition. Indeed, Davidson originally conceived of her production in the city of York.

Passion plays continue to be a way for Christians to express and experience their devotion to the suffering of Christ. Like any art form, they are necessarily subjective – one person’s snuff drama is another person’s devotional theatre.

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35 Powerful Good Friday Bible Verses to Remember the Cross

• Hope Bolinger Author
• Published Mar 28, 2024

Good Friday marks a pivotal moment in the Christian faith, observed with deep solemnity and reverence on the church calendar. It's a day that invites us to pause and reflect, a day of profound gratitude and somber remembrance. While we regularly give thanks for the myriad blessings and the unwavering love God showers upon us, Good Friday specifically calls us to contemplate the immense sacrifice it took for God to offer us salvation from our sins. It's a time to recognize the depth of God's love for humanity, a love so profound that it embraced suffering and death on a cross.

In this article we have compiled a selection of Good Friday Bible verses that span from the Old Testament's foreshadowing to the New Testament's vivid accounts of Christ's passion. These passages not only highlight the scriptural foundation of Good Friday but also invite us to meditate on the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice. As we read and reflect on these Good Friday Bible verses, let us draw near to the heart of God, understanding more deeply the cost of our freedom and the boundless love that motivated such a sacrifice. This Good Friday, let us dwell in the shadow of the cross, allowing the story of Jesus's death to challenge, comfort, and ultimately transform us.

Get your FREE 8-Day Prayer and Scripture Guide -  Praying Through the Holy Week HERE.  Print your own copy for a beautiful daily devotional leading up to Easter.

Top 10 Bible Verses for Good Friday

John 3:16-17 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Mark 9:31 - For he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”

Isaiah 53:5 - But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Mark 10:34 - And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.

Romans 5:6-10 - For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Mark 8:31 - And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Matthew 12:40 - For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

John 19:30 - When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

7 Prophecies about Good Friday

From man’s first sin through the last prophets, we see many prophecies through Scripture that point to Jesus’ death on the cross. Most prominently, Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 have shown striking similarities to what took place centuries later.

Genesis 3:15 : “A nd I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your  head, and you will strike his heel.”

Psalm 22:1 : “ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? ”

Psalm 22:16 : “ Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce   my hands and my feet. ”

Psalm 41:9 : “ Even my close friend,  someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned   against me.”

Isaiah 53:5 : “ But he was pierced for our transgressions,  he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Zechariah 11:12-13 : “ I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it.” So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.  And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord.”

Zechariah 13:7 : “ Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.”

The Last Words of Jesus Verses

Jesus technically has more last words than what we see below (see the article linked). On the cross, he fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy by literally speaking it (I thirst; my God why have you forsaken me?). Even in his last moments, he forgives the crowd who jeers at him below and offers a thief who flanks his side the hope that they will see each other in paradise.

Luke 23:34 , “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Luke 23:43 , “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Mark 15:34 ; Matthew 27:46 , “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

John 19:26-27 , “Woman, here is your son… Here is your mother.”

John 19:28 , “I am thirsty."

John 19:30 , “It is finished.”

Luke 23:46 , “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Read more about the Last Words of Christ . 

Good Friday in the Four Gospels

Matthew 26:64-68 : “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”  Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”   “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

Mark 15:21-24 : “ A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.   They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).   Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. ”

Luke 23:38-43 : “There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”   But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”   Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

John 19:25-27 : “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.   When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, [ b ] here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. ”

Bible Verses about the Cross

The cross changed meaning after Jesus died and rose again from the grave. The Israelite people would’ve originally viewed the cross as a cursed thing ( Deuteronomy 21:23 ). But after Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, the object changed in meaning. It represented dying to oneself to live with Christ. It also reminded Christians of Christ’s sacrifice so that they could experience eternity with him.

Matthew 16:24 : “ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ”

1 Corinthians 1:18 : “ For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ”

Galatians 2:20 : “ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ”

Philippians 2:8 : “ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ”

1 Peter 2:24 : “ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. ”

A Prayer for Good Friday

Lord Jesus, on this day, I reflect upon the events of Good Friday. Even though they tried you unlawfully and sentenced you to death, you did not open your mouth in protest. I stand amazed at all you have done for me. That my God in heaven cared so much about my salvation that he lived the life I should have lived and died a brutal death. Jesus, I can often forget everything you have done for me as I go about my days. I can never say thank you enough for your sacrifice on the cross. I surrender to you daily and am at a loss for words. Amen.

Christians can often get uncomfortable about Good Friday. Jesus had died in a cruel way, and to think he had done so for us can often seem unfathomable at times.

But we must remember and think on this day just as much as we do on Easter Sunday. Good Friday reminds us of the gravity of our sins and how much God was willing to sacrifice to be reunited in a relationship with us. Even though we do recognize the solemn nature of Good Friday, we wait in anticipation for the Resurrection Sunday, where we can, at last, declare, “He is risen!” — Hope Bolinger

Further Reading

Why Is it Called 'Good Friday'?

What’s So Good about Good Friday?

Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Alicia Quan

Hope Bolinger  is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the author of almost 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com   for clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Check out her editing profile at Reedsy.com to find out about hiring her for your next book project.

This article is part of our larger Holy Week and Easter resource library centered around the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ!

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Good Friday Summary & Analysis by Christina Rossetti

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• Poetic Devices
• Vocabulary & References
• Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
• Line-by-Line Explanations

Christina Rossetti's "Good Friday" was published in her 1866 collection The Prince's Progress and Other Poems . Good Friday refers to a holiday that commemorates Jesus's Crucifixion. Though the poem's speaker understands the significance of this event in their faith, they struggle to connect to it on an emotional level. Unlike the biblical followers of Christ who passionately expressed their sorrow at his passing, the speaker finds themselves unable to "weep" at the thought of Christ's suffering and death. The speaker thus fears that they're an unfeeling "stone" rather than a devoted "sheep" under the guidance of the "true shepherd" (God), and they appeal to God for solace and reassurance. "Good Friday" ultimately emphasizes the deeply personal nature of faith and proposes that during moments of spiritual doubt, placing even greater trust in God might be the only answer.

• Read the full text of “Good Friday”

The Full Text of “Good Friday”

1 Am I a stone, and not a sheep,

2 That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross,

3 To number drop by drop Thy blood's slow loss,

4 And yet not weep?

5 Not so those women loved

6 Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee;

7 Not so fallen Peter, weeping bitterly;

8 Not so the thief was moved;

9 Not so the Sun and Moon

10 Which hid their faces in a starless sky,

11 A horror of great darkness at broad noon—

12 I, only I.

13 Yet give not o'er,

14 But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;

15 Greater than Moses, turn and look once more

16 And smite a rock.

“Good Friday” Summary

“good friday” themes.

Faith and Feeling

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Spiritual Crisis and Belief

Line-by-line explanation & analysis of “good friday”.

Am I a stone, and not a sheep,

That I can stand, O Christ, beneath Thy cross, To number drop by drop Thy blood's slow loss, And yet not weep?

Not so those women loved Who with exceeding grief lamented Thee; Not so fallen Peter, weeping bitterly; Not so the thief was moved;

Not so the Sun and Moon Which hid their faces in a starless sky, A horror of great darkness at broad noon— I, only I.

Lines 13-14

Yet give not o'er, But seek Thy sheep, true Shepherd of the flock;

Lines 15-16

Greater than Moses, turn and look once more And smite a rock.

“Good Friday” Symbols

The Midday Darkness

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“Good Friday” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

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“Good Friday” Vocabulary

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

• Those women
• Yet give not o'er
• True Shepherd of the flock
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Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “Good Friday”

Rhyme scheme, “good friday” speaker, “good friday” setting, literary and historical context of “good friday”, more “good friday” resources, external resources.

The Poem Out Loud — Listen to a reading of the poem. 

Rossetti at the Victorian Web — Visit the Victorian Web to find a treasure trove of information on Rossetti.    

A Brief Biography — Read the Poetry Foundation's short essay on Rossetti's life and work.

A Contemporary Response — Read critic William Sharp's admiring reminiscence of Rossetti, written not long after her death.

Portraits of Rossetti — See some images of Rossetti via London's National Portrait Gallery.

"Why Is Good Friday Called 'Good Friday'?" — A Slate article discussing why this solemn Christian holiday has such a "good" title.

LitCharts on Other Poems by Christina Rossetti

An Apple Gathering

Babylon the Great

Cousin Kate

From the Antique

In an Artist's Studio

In the Round Tower at Jhansi, June 8, 1857 (Indian Mutiny)

Maude Clare

No, Thank You, John

Sister Maude

Soeur Louise de la Miséricorde

Song (When I am dead, my dearest)

Winter: My Secret

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