Bible glossary

What Does ‘The Cross’ Mean in the Bible?

The cross is the instrument of Jesus' death and the central symbol of the Christian faith, where He gave His life to save the world.

The cross was a brutal Roman method of execution, a symbol of shame and horror. Yet it stands at the very center of Christianity, because on a cross Jesus willingly died, bearing the weight of human sin, to reconcile people to God.

The Bible calls the message of the cross the power of God. What looked like defeat was the greatest victory: there the debt of sin was paid, the record against us was cancelled, and the door to God was thrown open. The cross also becomes a pattern for His followers, who are called to take up their own cross and follow Him in self-giving love.

Key verses

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us... and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”
Colossians 2:14

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Galatians 6:14