Crucifixion was an execution designed by the Romans to kill, torture, and humiliate its victims. Some people suffered for days on a cross before dying. Jesus was on the cross for about six hours before dying.
The Romans started each day's hours at midnight. Using the Roman system of time, John tells us that Jesus' trial began about the sixth hour, 6 a.m. (John 19:14).
The Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, and Luke use the Jewish system of time, beginning each day at 6 a.m. Mark tells us Jesus was crucified at the third hour, 9 a.m. (Mark 15:24–25). Matthew tells us the day turned to darkness from the sixth hour to the ninth hour, noon to 3 p.m. (Matthew 27:45). Jesus died about the ninth hour (Matthew 27:46–50). A Roman soldier checked to see if He was really dead by pushing a spear into His side, and He was taken off the cross (John 19:34–38).
Jesus was on the cross from about 9 a.m. to about 3 p.m.
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