The Stations of the Cross – What are they? What can we learn from the Scriptural Way of the Cross?

TL;DR:

The Stations of the Cross and the Scriptural Way of the Cross both represent fourteen events leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross. Reflecting on the final events of Jesus’ life calls us to live in a way that honors His willing sacrifice.

what does the bible say?

The Stations of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa, are a series of fourteen representations of Jesus' final journey from His condemnation to His burial, although several stations are not directly mentioned in the Bible. The Scriptural Way of the Cross refines the tradition of the Stations of the Cross by focusing solely on New Testament events, offering a biblically-grounded perspective. Reflecting on these stations invites us to deeply engage with Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice, enhancing our understanding of His profound love and commitment. This reflection challenges us to embody His example of compassion and humility in our own lives. Ultimately, the final events of Jesus’ life compel us to live in a manner that honors His sacrifice.

from the old testament

The Stations of the Cross are not mentioned in the Bible, and the events that took place for the Stations of the Cross occurred in the New Testament.

from the new testament

The Stations of the Cross, also called the Via Dolorosa, is a series of representations of Jesus carrying the cross used especially by the Roman Catholic Church, beginning with Jesus’ sentence to death and ending with His burial in the Garden Tomb. Several of the stations (3, 4, 6, 7, and 9, see the Engage section for more detail) are not mentioned in the New Testament.
These events are mentioned in the New Testament: Leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, Jesus prayed earnestly on the Mount of Olives, preparing Himself for the suffering to come (Luke 22:39–46). He was then betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested (Luke 22:47–48). Condemned by the Sanhedrin and denied by Peter (Luke 22:54–62), Jesus was judged by Pontius Pilate and subsequently scourged and crowned with thorns (Matthew 27:24–31; Luke 23:13–25). Bearing His cross to Golgotha, He was helped by Simon of Cyrene, met the mourning women of Jerusalem, and was ultimately crucified (John 19:17; Luke 23:26–47). On the cross, Jesus saved the thief next to Him (Luke 23:43), spoke the seven statements on the cross (Matthew 27:46; Luke 23:34, 43, 46; John 19:26–27, 28, 30), and entrusted His mother to John (John 19:26–27). Ultimately, Jesus died on the cross (Luke 23:44–46) and was laid in a tomb (Luke 23:46–54).
Since in the traditional form of the Stations of the Cross, numbers 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 are not directly mentioned in the New Testament, others have developed a version called the Scriptural Way of the Cross with the following stations:
1. Jesus on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39–46).
2. Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested (Luke 22:47–48).
3. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin (Luke 22:66–71).
4. Peter denies Jesus (Luke 22:54–62).
5. Jesus is judged by Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:13–25).
6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns (Matthew 27:24–31).
7. Jesus takes up His cross (John 19:17).
8. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry His cross (Luke 23:26).
9. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem (Luke 23:27–31).
10. Jesus is crucified (Luke 23:33–47).
11. Jesus promises His kingdom to the believing thief (Luke 23:43).
12. Jesus on the cross speaks with His mother and disciples (John 19:26–27).
13. Jesus dies on the cross (Luke 23:44–46).
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb (Luke 23:50–54).

implications for today

We all are invited and can benefit profoundly from reflecting on the final events of Jesus’ life where He willingly suffered to save us from our sins. The Stations of the Cross brings us face-to-face with the intense suffering and sacrifice of Christ, from His anguished prayer on the Mount of Olives to His final moments on the cross and His burial. By deeply engaging with these stations, we not only witness the gravity of Jesus’ sacrifice but also gain insight into the personal and communal response it demands. As we meditate on His betrayal, denial, and crucifixion, we are moved to reflect on our own lives, recognizing how His enduring love and perseverance even unto death challenge us to embody commitment and compassion in our daily actions. Reflecting on the Stations of the Cross compels us to live in a way that honors His sacrifice—by practicing forgiveness, embracing humility, and living wholeheartedly for Him because He gave it all for us.

understand

The Stations of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa, are fourteen representations of Jesus' final journey from His condemnation to His burial, highlighting key moments of His suffering and sacrifice.
Others have developed a Scriptural Way of the Cross highlighting fourteen key moments from Jesus' journey that come directly from Scripture.
Reflecting on the Stations of the Cross helps us understand Jesus' profound sacrifice.

reflect

How does reflecting on the final events before Jesus' death deepen your understanding of His sacrifice and suffering?
How can the compassion and humility demonstrated by Jesus during His final hours inspire and challenge your daily actions and interactions with others?
How can the Stations of the Cross prompt you to live a life that honors Jesus' sacrifice?

engage

The traditional, Roman Catholic form of the Stations of the Cross includes the following fourteen stations:
1. Jesus is condemned to death.
2. Jesus is given His cross.
3. Jesus falls down for the first time.
4. Jesus meets His mother Mary.
5. Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross.
6. Veronica wipes blood off of Jesus' face.
7. Jesus falls down for the second time.
8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
9. Jesus falls down for the third time.
10. Jesus is stripped of His clothing.
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross—the Crucifixion.
12. Jesus dies on the cross.
13. Jesus' body is removed from the cross—the Deposition or Lamentation.
14. Jesus' body is placed in the tomb.
The Stations of the Cross were originally developed by pilgrims who traveled to Jerusalem and sought to retrace the final steps of Jesus. Church buildings or monasteries began to utilize these "stations" as early as the fifth century in an effort to commemorate these steps at other locations. The goal of the Stations of the Cross is to help focus an individual in prayer and is quite popular among those in the Roman Catholic context.
Some Protestants have rejected the practice of the Stations of the Cross as a Catholic tradition, rejected it due to extra-biblical elements, or reject its focus on icons within the church. While not all will agree with how this tradition is practiced, it is important for all believers to reflect upon the suffering Jesus endured in His final hours leading to the cross. Today, many also reflect upon this time through the Lord's Supper, remembering the death and suffering of Jesus, His broken body and shed blood, on behalf of our sins.