How Far Did Jesus Carry The Cross? All Locations

By Charalampos •  Updated: 04/03/23 •  6 min read

We all know about the sufferings of Jesus at the end of His earthly life. Before the crucifixion, He was forced to carry the cross to the mountain.

Because of it, we can wonder how much hard that was, and for what distance Jesus carried his cross. In this article, we will find the answer. 

What The Bible Teaches Us About Jesus’ Crucifixion

The Bible says that Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Before his crucifixion, Jesus was forced to carry his cross through the streets of Jerusalem.

From this story, we can learn more in the Gospel of John, chapter 19, verses 16-17. It is written that the cross was put on Jesus and he carried it to the Place of a Skull, which is called Golgotha.

From this passage, we can know that Jesus carried his cross from the place of his trial to Golgotha, the location where he would be crucified. But how far was the journey?

How Far Did Jesus Carry His Cross?

Jesus Carry His Cross

The distance between the place of Jesus’ trial, the Praetorium, and Golgotha has been estimated by historians to be around 600 meters or 1,969 feet.

This distance may not seem significant, but we must remember that Jesus was already weakened from the beatings which He had endured before He was sentenced to death.

After it Jesus Christ was forced to carry a heavy wooden crossbeam on his back, making the journey even harder.

We should also remember that the streets of Jerusalem were narrow, they often had steps and Jesus was carrying the cross to the mountain, which was very physically hard.

What Did The Apostles Say in The Gospels

Jesus carrying His cross

The Gospel of Matthew shows us more details about Jesus carrying the cross. In 27:32 is written that Jesus didn’t fully carry the cross for the whole distance on his own. At some point, He couldn’t make it anymore and the warriors found a man from Cyrene named Simon and forced him to carry the cross. Most probably he was a secret disciple of Jesus.

From this verse, we know that Jesus couldn’t carry his cross the entire distance alone because He was physically very tired.

He was helped by Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross to the mountain.

This fact that Simon was forced to help Jesus carry the cross shows us the difficulty of the journey. Because of it, we can see the physical powerlessness of Jesus at that moment. 

Despite being the Son of God, He was still subject to the will of the Roman authorities and the warriors who implemented that. 

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23, verse 26, we can find the same information about Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus carry His cross.

Most probably Simon was bearing some of the weight of the cross, making it easier for Jesus to carry. Roman warriors wouldn’t let Jesus go without carrying some weight of the cross, so we can say that Jesus passed the whole distance carrying it. 

The Gospel of Mark 15:21 also shares the same information. It was important for the apostles to let us know what sufferings Jesus passed through and that even God needed human help.

When Jesus carried the cross, he was mocked and insulted by the Roman soldiers and people who witnessed his suffering. About this, we can read in the Gospel of Matthew, 27:39-40.

All The Locations Jesus Passed

Locations Jesus carried His Cross

To understand better the journey and the distance of it we should consider the important locations that can be still found in Jerusalem.

The distance Jesus carried the cross isn’t mentioned in the Bible, but many historical sources and traditions can let us know the places of the journey.

One of the most common routes which is believed was passed by Jesus is called the Way of Suffering (Via Dolorosa). This route begins at the Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate, and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which was the place of His crucifixion and burial. 

This route passes through a few locations, for example:

The distance from the Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is about 600 meters (1969 feet), but the actual distance that Jesus carried the cross would have been longer because of the twisting path of the route and the stops along the way.

Some people estimate the total distance at around 1 kilometer (0.62 miles), while others think that it can be closer to 2 kilometers (1.24 miles).

Final Thoughts

It can be concluded that Jesus carried His cross for approximately 600 meters, and most probably even when a stranger helped Him, Jesus still was carrying some weight of the cross.

We can know about the distance based on the historical locations which were listed in the article, although some other researchers say that the distance could be 1-2 kilometers which can be an exaggeration. 
Regardless of the exact distance, the journey that Jesus took to his crucifixion is an important part of Christianity. It is a big reminder for us of his love and sufferings for humanity.

For Christians, the image of Jesus carrying the cross also represents the sacrifice that He made for us. It’s a reminder of the suffering that he endured, and how much He was willing to go to save humanity from sin and death.

The act of carrying the cross is seen as an act of obedience and humility, as Jesus willingly submitted to his fate and took on the burden of the cross.

All Christians are called to take up their crosses and follow Jesus. This means being willing to endure suffering and hardship for the sake of the gospel and living a life of service and sacrifice for others.

In this way, the cross is seen as a symbol of both suffering and hope, reminding Christians of the price that was paid for their redemption, and inspiring them to follow Jesus.

Charalampos

Charalampos is an Orthodox Christian who wants to help others learn about Christianity. His main goal is to help people understand the Bible and how to apply its teachings in their everyday lives. He also enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and hiking.

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