Introduction
Good Friday is the day Christians remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus, the Friday before Easter, which is March 26, 2027. It is called holy because Jesus gave his life there for the forgiveness of sins, to open the way to God for everyone.
Good Friday is a solemn day, and yet Christians call it good. Why attach such a word to a day of suffering? This page recalls what the Gospels tell, what the cross means according to the rest of the Bible, and how to live this day without reducing it to a public holiday.
Why is it called Good Friday, and when is it in 2027?
The word holy means set apart: this day is dedicated to remembering the death of Jesus. The name Good Friday speaks not of the pain but of what the cross has won for us.
In 2027, Good Friday falls on March 26, two days before Easter, which is set for March 28. This day is a public holiday in Alsace-Moselle.
What happened that day according to the Gospels?
During the night, Jesus is arrested, then tried by the Jewish authorities and by Pilate, the Roman governor. Condemned, he carries his cross and is crucified at Golgotha, around nine in the morning, between two men who were also condemned.
From the sixth hour, that is noon, darkness covers the land until the ninth hour, around three in the afternoon. It is then that Jesus dies. Before the beginning of the Sabbath, the day of rest for the Jews, his body is taken down from the cross and laid in a tomb.
What does the Bible say about the cross?
The accounts of the Passion are illuminated by texts from across the Bible. Here are verses to help you understand what is at stake at the cross.
Isaiah 53:5
"But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed."
Written centuries before Jesus, this text describes a servant wounded in the place of others. Christians see in it an announcement of the cross: the punishment that brings us peace fell on him. Read all of Isaiah 53.
Luke 23:34
"Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots."
From the cross, Jesus asks forgiveness for those who nailed him there. From the first hours of his suffering, he shows that his sacrifice is directed toward reconciliation, not revenge. Read all of Luke 23.
Luke 23:43
"Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
To one of the two condemned men who turns to him, Jesus promises paradise that very day. Even at the last moment, forgiveness remains offered to whoever entrusts himself to him. Read all of Luke 23.
Matthew 27:46
"About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Jesus cries out, in his own language, a word taken from a psalm. He experiences the deepest loneliness so that we would never have to know it, far from God. Read all of Matthew 27.
Matthew 27:51
"Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split."
At the moment of Jesus' death, the veil that closed off the holiest place in the temple is torn from top to bottom. The act comes from God: the way to his presence is now open. Read all of Matthew 27.
John 19:30
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit."
It is finished: the work entrusted to Jesus is complete. Forgiveness no longer has to be earned, it is given. Jesus himself gives up his life; no one takes it from him. Read all of John 19.
Romans 5:8
"But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Paul reminds us that God did not wait for us to become better. Christ died for us while we were still sinners: the love of God comes before any effort on our part. Read all of Romans 5.
Good Friday and Easter: why one cannot go without the other
Good Friday without Easter would be a story of defeat: a righteous man put to death. Easter without Good Friday would make the resurrection an event without reason. The two days form one message: Jesus died for our sins and rose on the third day.
This is why Christians often live this time in two movements: the recollection of Friday, then the joy of Sunday, March 28, 2027. The sadness of Friday is not denied; it is walked through.
Common misconceptions about Good Friday
We sometimes hear that the cross would be a failure, a defeat that God should have prevented. The Gospels say the opposite: Jesus walks freely toward it and presents it as the way that saves. What looks like a defeat is at the heart of God's plan.
Another common idea is that Jesus was merely a victim of an unjust system. He did suffer injustice, but he also gave his life of his own accord. Finally, some think Good Friday should above all make us feel guilty. The text invites us instead to gratitude: the debt is paid, and gratitude sets us free.
How to observe Good Friday
Take the time to read the account of the Passion in one of the Gospels, for example Matthew 27 or John 19. Read slowly, without trying to understand everything, and let each scene speak to you.
Pray in silence for a few minutes, to give thanks rather than to ask. If a church near you offers a service or Holy Communion that day, you may take part. Traditions differ: Stations of the Cross among Catholics, a service or time of reflection among many Protestants. Each seeks to remember.
If you wish, you may also fast that day, for example by skipping a meal to pray. It is a free practice, never an obligation, and its value lies in the attention you give to Jesus, not in the effort.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the date of Good Friday 2027?
Good Friday 2027 falls on Friday, March 26, two days before Easter Sunday (March 28). It comes after Maundy Thursday, March 25, and before Holy Saturday, March 27.
Why is it called Good Friday?
The word holy means set apart: this day is dedicated to remembering the death of Jesus. The name Good Friday reflects the fact that this death opened forgiveness and salvation to everyone who believes.
At what time did Jesus die?
According to Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus dies around the ninth hour, about three in the afternoon, after darkness has covered the land from the sixth hour, around noon. John places his condemnation around the sixth hour.
What should a Christian do on Good Friday?
You can read the account of the Passion, pray in silence, attend a service or Holy Communion, or fast if you wish. The important thing is to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and to thank him.