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When I was a Protestant pastor, I preached a sermon explaining why our church didn’t use crucifixes. I argued that the empty cross better proclaimed the resurrection. At the time, I thought I was defending a fuller picture of the Gospel. But I was wrong—because I didn’t know what the Bible actually teaches about crucifixes.
In this episode of Catholic Bible Highlights, we dive into 16 verses that form what I call literary crucifixes—vivid depictions of Christ crucified, directly embedded in the pages of Sacred Scripture. And we ask a tough but necessary question:
If God’s Word invites us to imagine the crucified Christ, why are so many Christians uncomfortable seeing Him on a cross?
Start in Deuteronomy
Our journey begins in Deuteronomy 21:22–23, which describes the treatment of a body hung on a tree—language later used by Paul in Galatians 3:13 to describe the cross of Christ. Right from the Torah, we’re invited to see a cursed man hanging on wood. That’s a crucifix, in literary form.
Psalms and Prophets
Psalm 22:16—“They have pierced my hands and feet”—and Isaiah 53:5—“He was pierced for our transgressions”—give us graphic images of Jesus’ suffering. These aren’t vague allusions. They are crucifixions on the page.
The Gospels Overflow with Crucifixes
Each Gospel includes multiple crucifixion scenes, but I highlight one key scene in each: Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:33, and John 19:18. These aren’t just historical accounts—they are theological images intended to be seen and meditated upon. Jesus is not absent. He’s affixed to the Cross. He is the crucified Christ.
Paul Proclaims the Crucifix
Paul says, “We preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23). In fact, he tells the Galatians, “Before your eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified” (Galatians 3:1). That’s more than a metaphor—it’s an invitation to gaze upon Him. Paul didn’t shrink back from the crucifixion. He made it central.
New Testament Writers Keep Showing Us Jesus on the Cross
- Romans 6:6 – “Our old self was crucified with him.”
- Philippians 2:8 – “Obedient to death, even death on a cross.”
- Colossians 1:20 – “Peace through the blood of his cross.”
- Hebrews 12:2 – “He endured the cross, despising its shame.”
- 1 Peter 2:24 – “He bore our sins in his body on the tree.”
Why We Keep Crucifixes Front and Center
Crucifixes aren’t a denial of the resurrection. They are a meditation on the price of our redemption. As Catholics, we’re not saying “Jesus is still on the cross.” We’re saying, “Don’t ever forget what happened on it.”
We say with Paul: “I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). That’s why there’s a crucifix in every Catholic church. That’s why we wear them. That’s why they hang on our walls. Because without the Cross, the resurrection has no meaning.
Next Time Someone Says “We Don’t Keep Jesus on the Cross…”
Gently ask them: Do you believe the crucifixion should be preached?
Then show them what the Bible says. Literally. Highlight these verses. Annotate your Bible. Start conversations.
Because the crucifix doesn’t diminish the Gospel—it declares it.
Let’s Highlight Together
If you haven’t already, grab a highlighter or a crayon pencil that won’t bleed through, and mark up these texts. You can even create an index in your Bible titled “Literary Crucifixes” and start with Deuteronomy 21:22–23.
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Keep highlighting your Bible. Keep learning your faith. Keep sharing your faith. And I’ll see you next time.