Crucifixion was a method of capital punishment practiced during Biblical times “particularly among the Persians, Seleucids, Carthaginians, and Romans from about the 6th century b.c.e to the 4th century c.e.” (The Editors). It “was a public punishment visited upon rebels and slaves” (Harrington, p. 41). The most tragic, and the most meaningful, crucifixion to Christians was the one of Jesus Christ. “Under the Roman governor or prefect Pontius Pilate, Jesus was executed by crucifixion as a rebel/insurgent and a religious troublemaker (Harrington, p. 4). This paper will explore the act of crucifixion as compared to the death of Jesus Christ and the results thereof.
During crucifixion the victim’s hands, or wrists, and feet were bound and …show more content…
Deuteronomy 21:23 (you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.) was interpreted by the Jews to “apply to crucified persons and this understanding helps to explain why Jewish leaders pressed for a Roman death sentence for Jesus. This would mean crucifixion, and crucifixion would be proof that Jesus was not God’s messianic deliverer” (Elwell, Yarborough). In Redditt’s Crucifixion Of Jesus Christ he says that “the condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus Christ occurred about 30 c.e.”. He says that the Gospels “agree that Jesus was questioned at night by Jewish authorities, particularly the high priest Caiaphas”… and that the “final Trial under Pilate, at the end of which Jesus was condemned to be crucified” (Redding). Jesus was tried and convicted for doing nothing more than what God had sent Him to do. He was sent to restore the relationship between people and God. “The Gospels admitted that sedition was the real charge against Jesus, even as they attempted to show that it was groundless. John (19:19) notes that Pilate placed a sign on Jesus’ cross that read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” When the priests wanted him to alter the sign, he refused” (Redding). What was really happening was that they feared that Jesus …show more content…
Once on the cross, the weight of their bodies, suspended by their arms made it difficult for the victim to completely exhale. The weight of the victim’s body on their feet caused excruciating pain in the legs due to hitting the two major nerves running through the area. The nails in the wrist were likely to hit the nerves running through the arms. Any shifting on the victim’s part would send unbearable pain throughout the body. “Some authorities also believe that the crucifixion position would dislocate the shoulder or elbow. Any movement would aggravate the pain from these injuries” (Gidley). The combination of trying to raise themselves up to relieve the pressure on the upper part of the body made them quickly lower themselves due to the pain. Before long, the victim is unable to raise themselves up any longer and they suffocate. Finally, in some cases, the victim’s legs would be broken to expedite the death. In combination with the blood loss from the flogging, or scourging, death would come quickly
During crucifixion the victim’s hands, or wrists, and feet were bound and …show more content…
Deuteronomy 21:23 (you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.) was interpreted by the Jews to “apply to crucified persons and this understanding helps to explain why Jewish leaders pressed for a Roman death sentence for Jesus. This would mean crucifixion, and crucifixion would be proof that Jesus was not God’s messianic deliverer” (Elwell, Yarborough). In Redditt’s Crucifixion Of Jesus Christ he says that “the condemnation and crucifixion of Jesus Christ occurred about 30 c.e.”. He says that the Gospels “agree that Jesus was questioned at night by Jewish authorities, particularly the high priest Caiaphas”… and that the “final Trial under Pilate, at the end of which Jesus was condemned to be crucified” (Redding). Jesus was tried and convicted for doing nothing more than what God had sent Him to do. He was sent to restore the relationship between people and God. “The Gospels admitted that sedition was the real charge against Jesus, even as they attempted to show that it was groundless. John (19:19) notes that Pilate placed a sign on Jesus’ cross that read: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” When the priests wanted him to alter the sign, he refused” (Redding). What was really happening was that they feared that Jesus …show more content…
Once on the cross, the weight of their bodies, suspended by their arms made it difficult for the victim to completely exhale. The weight of the victim’s body on their feet caused excruciating pain in the legs due to hitting the two major nerves running through the area. The nails in the wrist were likely to hit the nerves running through the arms. Any shifting on the victim’s part would send unbearable pain throughout the body. “Some authorities also believe that the crucifixion position would dislocate the shoulder or elbow. Any movement would aggravate the pain from these injuries” (Gidley). The combination of trying to raise themselves up to relieve the pressure on the upper part of the body made them quickly lower themselves due to the pain. Before long, the victim is unable to raise themselves up any longer and they suffocate. Finally, in some cases, the victim’s legs would be broken to expedite the death. In combination with the blood loss from the flogging, or scourging, death would come quickly