Jesus hung on the cross for approximately six hours. According to the Gospel of Mark, Jesus was crucified at the third hour (around 9:00 AM Jewish time) and died at the ninth hour (around 3:00 PM)
. This timeline is supported by the accounts in Matthew, which describe darkness covering the land from the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (3:00 PM), culminating in Jesus' death
. The apparent discrepancy in times arises because the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) use the Jewish system of marking time, while John uses the Roman system. John's gospel notes Jesus' trial before Pilate at about the sixth hour Roman time (6:00 AM), with crucifixion beginning three hours later at 9:00 AM Jewish time
. In summary:
- Crucifixion began around 9:00 AM (third hour Jewish time)
- Darkness occurred from noon to 3:00 PM (sixth to ninth hour)
- Jesus died around 3:00 PM (ninth hour)
- Total time on the cross: about six hours
