The Crucifixion of Jesus

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The Crucifixion of Jesus

“Though individual men may miss its significance, nevertheless the thing has happened and history is different: the whole setting of human life in this world is different. It is an ‘epoch-making’ event; in history, things can never be the same again.”

The Crucifixion of Jesus

“Though individual men may miss its significance, nevertheless the thing has happened and [our lives are] different: the whole setting of human life in this world is different. It is an ‘epoch-making’ event; in [our lives], things can never be the same again.”

The Crucifixion of Jesus

“So they were first whipped, and then tormented with all sorts of tortures before they died, and were then crucified before the wall of the city. This miserable procedure made Titus greatly to pity them, while they caught as many as five hundred Jews; nay, some days they caught more…So the soldiers out of the wrath and hatred they bore the Jews, nailed those they caught, one after one way, and another after another, to the crosses, by way of jest; when their multitude was so great, that room was wanting for the crosses, and crosses wanting for the bodies” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews)

The Crucifixion of Jesus

‘Crucifixion was a punishment in which the caprice and sadism of the executioners were given full rein.’

The Crucifixion of Jesus

‘Can anyone be found who would prefer wasting away in pain dying limb by limb, or letting out his life drop by drop, rather than expiring once for all? Can any man be found willing to be fastened to the accursed tree, long sickly, already deformed, swelling with ugly weals on shoulders and chest, and drawing the breath of life amid long-drawn-out agony? He would have many excuses for dying even before mounting the cross.’

The Crucifixion of Jesus

“Hanging is a lesser penalty than the cross. For the gallows kills the victim immediately, whereas the cross tortures for a long time those who are fixed to it.”

The Crucifixion of Jesus

‘I know that the cross will be my grave: that is where my ancestors are, my father, grandfathers, great-grandfathers, great-great-grandfathers’

I. Crucifixion was widespread in the ancient world. It was practiced in the Roman world, the Greek world (including the areas where Paul preached), and in Judea. Everyone knew its cruelty and horror.

II. It was carried out primarily against the lower classes, that is, slaves, insurrectionists, thieves, and the unruly.

III. Crucifixion was practiced as a deterrent. Therefore, it was carried out publicly so that the authorities might impose fear upon their subjects.

IV. Crucifixion gave an outlet for the sadistic cruelty of ancient leaders and soldiers. It was preceded by scourging. It is evidence of the inhumane dark side of men.

V. It was carried out so as to completely humiliate and dehumanize the victim.

VI. The victims of crucifixion frequently were not buried, adding to the shame.

VII. ‘In the death of Jesus of Nazareth God identified himself with the extreme of human wretchedness, which Jesus endured as a representative of us all, in order to bring us to the freedom of the children of God’ (Rom 8:32).

VIII. The message of the cross seemed madness to the people of the ancient world. Though the ‘word of the cross’ is folly to many, to those who believe it is the power of God to save.