The Crucifixion of Our Savior Historical, Medical, and Scriptural Exploration Into the Death of Jesus Christ

Historically Speaking… “Crucifixion” Traced to Egyptians in Genesis 40:19 and Persians in Esther 7:10 Common practice of Assyrians, Scythians, Greeks, and Romans Romans reserved it for slaves, foreigners, and the vilest of criminals Roman citizens were exempt Interestingly enough it was not meant to kill, only to punish prior to crucifracture

Historically Speaking… “The Cross” Composed of two separate pieces T shaped or Tau cross was typically used Cross member was called the Patibulum and weighed pounds and when it was in place it would be 6’-8’ off the ground Upright member was called the Stipes they would remain in place for all visitors to see Titulus inscripted with “the King of the Jews” Sedile or Sedulum crude seat about half way up the stipe meant only to prolong the pain and suffering The iron spikes were 5”-7” long with a square shaft 3/8” thick

Historically Speaking “Events Prior to the Scourging” Upper Room “Last Supper” The Prayer in the Garden Betrayal and Arrest 6 Trials

Historically Speaking… “The Scourging” Roman guards would completely expose the victim and tie them to a post Possibly 39 lashes with a wooden handled whip with 9 leather straps adorned with metal and bone Roman citizens could not be scourged People often died during this aspect

Historically Speaking… “The Processional” Followed the scourging Possibly as long as miles Simon the Cyrene was summoned to carry the cross for Jesus when he stumbled (Luke 23:26) Refused the analgesic upon arrival at Golgotha

Historically Speaking… “The Placement on the Cross” Arms nailed to Patibulum while on ground Hoisted up and attached to Stipes and the feet then nailed Titulus attached Jeering began

Historically Speaking… “The Events on the Cross” Soldiers cast lots for His clothing Jesus spoke 7 times Jesus died Jesus side was pierced Jesus removed from cross and placed in tomb by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (Mark 15:43)

Historically Speaking… “Illegalities of the Event” Arrested at night Trial on eve of Sabbath Sanhedrin had no authority to instigate charges Charges against Jesus were changed Lack of witnesses Illegal court location Jesus not permitted defense Sanhedrin could not pronounce death sentence No innocent before proven guilty concept existed Self incrimination was allowed

Medically Speaking… “Prior to the crucifixion” Jesus had been awake 36 hours Scourged and beaten Walked miles Carried Patibulum 1/3 mile Hemathidrosis---drops of sweat as blood Stress of events to come

Medically Speaking… “Scourging” Each laceration approximately 2” long and 1” deep, that would require 20 stitches to suture Each lash then would require 180 stitches. 39 lashes would take nearly 2000 stitches. Cool air would have caused the vessels to constrict and keep him from bleeding to death

Medically Speaking “The Beating Afterwards” Jesus head and face were beaten Eyes swollen, bruised, nose bleeding, teeth knocked loose, lips torn

Medically Speaking… “The Crown of Thorns” Thorns were 1-2 inches long Laid on the head and tapped into the skull Multiple puncture wounds resulting in bleeding that would have been fairly significant, but again minimized by the cold night

Medically Speaking… “Nails Through the Hands” Hebrew word for hand meant from fingertips to wrist Romans were precise in their placement at the crease of the wrist This would miss the arteries and hit the median nerve thus inflicting intense pain, but no blood loss

Medically Speaking… “The Hand”

Medically Speaking… “Nail Through the Feet” Nail was precisely driven through the feet between the first and second metatarsal bones so as to miss the dorsalis pedis artery and hit the medial and lateral plantar nerves Again maximum pain with no bleeding

Medically Speaking… “The Foot”

Medically Speaking… “The Piercing of the Chest” Fulfilled prophecy of Zechariah 12:10 Pierced between 7 th and 8 th ribs on the right side. Injury pattern would involve the lung, heart, and spine Water followed by blood was 1) pericardial/pleural effusions 2) plasma separated from the red blood cells

Medically Speaking… “Hanging on the Cross” Sagging would cause excruciating hand, arm, & shoulder pain Pushing up to relieve that would cause excruciating leg pain Inhalation would have been easier, than exhalation. That would require pulling up with your hands and pushing up with your feet Back injuries would scrape the upright with each breath Speaking normally happens on exhalation and this would explain the short sentences and makes the word even more precious

Medically Speaking… “Summary of Trauma of Crucifixion” Awake for 36 hours Stress and anxiety Scourging and beating Carrying the patibulum Hands and feet nailed Hanging on the cross Side pierced

Medically Speaking… “What was the cause of death?” Common medical explanations include: 1.Hypovolemic shock ??? 2.Stress ??? 3.Cardiac arrhythmia ??? 4.Crucifracture ??? 5.Asphyxia ??? 6.Spear to the side ??? 7.Beat to death ???

Scripturally Speaking… “What Was the Cause of Death?” The other two didn’t die until the crucifracture So you see it wasn’t the beating, the spear, the cross or even the humiliation John 19:30-33 Serves to set the table for the answer

Scripturally Speaking “What Was the Cause of Death?” The OT Bible supports that by the time the centurion went to break His legs…he was already dead---Psalms 34:20 prophesied that The spear did not kill Him…Zechariah 12:10 prophesied that Scripture supports the fact that death was caused by……..

Scripturally Speaking… “What Was the Cause of Death?” The fact that he was willing and able to do something nobody else could do—He laid down His own life for you and me as revealed in John 10 John 10: “ The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me, I sacrifice it voluntarily. I have authority to lay it down and take it up again, for this is what my Father has commanded.”

Scripturally Speaking “Let Us All Rejoice” The exact cause of death may always be a mystery! But the fact that 3 days later our Savior rose again is not!! Luke 24:5 “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He isn’t here, He has arisen. Remember what he told you in Galilee? Betrayal, Crucifixion, & Resurrection Don’t ever forget what he told us in John 14 “ I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come again and take you there with me…