Lent 2026 Biblical Way of the Cross
Via Dolorosa (Latin for “Sorrowful Way” or “Way of Suffering”) is a route through the Old City of Jerusalem that is believed to be the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion. The route goes from Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a distance of about 600 meters, and is a celebrated place of Christian pilgrimage. The route was established in the 18th century. Today it is marked by the 14 Stations of the Cross, the final five stations of which are located inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Biblical Way of the Cross was introduced by Pope John Paul II.
Please click on the following posts for each of the 14 stations. Two will be added each of the seven Wednesdays in Lent. Each post includes:
- Featured image – some from the FPCD 2020 Israel trip
- Scripture verse
- Some words about the image
- Google map link to the scripture or image location
12. Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Beloved Disciple
John 19:25b-27 Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your...
11. Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief
Luke 23:39-43 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have...
10. Jesus is Crucified
Luke 23:27-31 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. And they cast lots to divide his...
9. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Christ Carrying the Cross | Smithsonian American Art Museum Luke 23:27-31 A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep...
8. Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross
Mark 15:21 The Crucifixion of JesusThey compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. About the Picture The FPCD Israel tour included some walking through Jerusalem and stopped...
7. Jesus Bears the Cross
John 19:6, 15-17 When the chief priests and the police saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him; I find no case against him.” They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked...
6. Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar and Crowned With Thorns
Icon | Smithsonian Institution John 19:1-3 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking him...
5. Jesus is judged by Pontius Pilate
Click for full image Mark 15:1-5 Jesus before PilateAs soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the...
4. Jesus is denied by St. Peter
Matthew 26:69-75 Peter’s Denial of JesusNow Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A female servant came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he...
3. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin
Luke 22:66-71 Jesus before the Council When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will...
2. Jesus is Betrayed by Judas and Arrested
Mark 14:43-46 The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived, and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a...
1. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-41 Jesus Prays in Gethsemane Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he...