John 19 The Crucifixion of Christ: Jesus Our Sacrifice

 

John 19 The Crucifixion of Christ: Jesus Our Sacrifice

Jesus upon the cross John 19:16-30

In the Bible, the method of crucifixion has few details other than simply saying, “He was crucified.” Probably this was because at the time of John’s writing during the height of the Roman Empire it was a well know and by this time ancient means of death.

Crucifixion: History and Procedure

Crucifixion was a form of capital punishment, perfected by the Romans but practiced by the Persians, Phoenicians, and the Egyptians before them. It was usually reserved for the worst crimes and the worst people. Roman citizens were never crucified, but rebellious slaves, pirates, assassins and opponents of hard fought battles were often crucified by the 1000s. In 71 BC, 6000 rebellious slave captured after the Spartacus rebellion were crucified along the Appian way. In 4 B.C., the Roman general Varus crucified 2,000 Jews, and there were mass crucifixions during the first century A.D., including up to 500 a day during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

The word crucifixion of course means to die upon a cross. While the word cross itself, comes from the Latin word crux. In fact, our word for terrible pain, excruciating, is derived from crux and literally means out of the cross.

There were several types of cruxes from single poles to T shaped, to X shaped to the traditional shape we associate with Jesus’ cross, with a portion of the vertical timber above the cross member where the title, “King of the Jews” would have been nailed.

Usually, the condemned man, after being whipped, or “scourged,” dragged the crossbeam of his cross to the place of punishment, where the upright shaft was already fixed in the ground. Stripped of his clothing either then or earlier at his scourging, he was bound fast with outstretched arms to the crossbeam or nailed firmly to it through the wrists. The crossbeam was then raised against the upright shaft and made fast to it… Next, the feet were tightly bound or nailed to the upright shaft. A ledge inserted about halfway up the upright shaft gave some support to the body; evidence for a similar ledge for the feet is rare and late. Over the criminal’s head was placed a notice stating his name and his crime. Death ultimately occurred through a combination of constrained blood circulation, organ failure, and asphyxiation as the body strained under its own weight. It could be hastened by shattering the legs (crurifragium) with an iron club, which prevented them from supporting the body’s weight and made inhalation more difficult, accelerating both asphyxiation and shock. – Britannica Encyclopedia 

 From JAMA 1986 - Outside the city walls was permanently located the heavy upright wooden post, on which the crossbar would be secured.  To prolong the crucifixion process, a horizontal wooden block or plank, serving as a crude seat, often was attached midway down the post.  

At the site of execution, by law, the victim was given a bitter drink of wine mixed with myrrh (gall) as a mild pain reliever.  The criminal was then thrown to the ground on his back, with his arms outstretched along the crossbar.  The hands could be nailed or tied to the crossbar, but nailing apparently was preferred by the Romans.  The nails were tapered iron spikes approximately 5 to 7 in (13 to 18 cm) long with a square shaft 3/8 in (1 cm) across.  The nails commonly were driven through the wrists rather than the palms.

After both arms were fixed to the crossbar, the crossbar and the victim, together, were lifted onto the post.  Next, the feet were fixed to the cross, either by nails or ropes. Nailing was the preferred Roman practice.  Although the feet could be fixed to the sides of the post or to a wooden footrest, they usually were nailed directly to the front of the post.  To accomplish this, flexion of the knees may have been quite prominent, and the bent legs may have been rotated outward.

When the nailing was completed, the sign was attached to the cross, by nails or cords, just above the victim’s head.  The soldiers and the civilian crowd often taunted and jeered the condemned man, and the soldiers customarily divided up his clothes among themselves.  The length of survival generally ranged from three or four hours to three or four days and appears to have been inversely related to the severity of the scourging.  However, even if the scourging had been relatively mild, the Roman soldiers could hasten death by breaking the legs below the knees.

Not uncommonly, insects would light upon or burrow into the open wounds or the eyes, ears, and nose of the dying and helpless victim, and birds of prey would tear at these sites.  Moreover, it was customary to leave the corpse on the cross to be devoured by predatory animals.  However, by Roman law, the family of the condemned could take the body for burial, after obtaining permission from the Roman judge.

Since no one was intended to survive crucifixion, the body was not released to the family until the soldiers were sure that the victim was dead.  By custom, one of the Roman guards would pierce the body with a sword or lance.  Traditionally, this had been considered a spear wound to the heart through the right side of the chest—a fatal wound probably taught to most Roman soldiers.  Moreover, the standard infantry spear, which was 5 to 6 ft (1.5 to 1.8 m) long could easily have reached the chest of a man crucified on the customary low cross.

The crucial effect of crucifixion, beyond the excruciating pain, was a marked interference with normal respiration, particularly exhalation.  The weight of the body, pulling down on the outstretched arms and shoulders, would tend to fix the chest muscles used for breathing in an inhalation state and thereby hinder passive exhalation.  Accordingly, exhalation would require using the abdominal muscles rather than the chest muscles, and breathing would be shallow.  It is likely that this form of respiration would not suffice and that a high level of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream would soon result.  The onset of muscle cramps or tetanic contractions, due to fatigue and the high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, would hinder respiration even further.

Adequate exhalation required lifting the body by pushing up on the feet and by flexing the elbows and pulling the shoulders inward.  However, this maneuver would place the entire weight of the body on the bones in the feet, and would produce searing pain.  Furthermore, flexion, or bending of the elbows would cause rotation of the wrists about the iron nails and cause fiery pain along the damaged median nerves.  Lifting of the body would also painfully scrape the scourged back against the rough wooden post.  Muscle cramps and loss of feeling in both the outstretched and uplifted arms would add to the discomfort.  As a result, each respiratory effort would become agonizing and tiring, further reducing the oxygen levels in the blood, and lead eventually to asphyxia.

The actual cause of death by crucifixion was multifactorial and varied somewhat with each case, but the two most prominent causes probably were shock from inadequate perfusion of critical organs due to blood loss and inadequate oxygen levels in the blood due to inability to breathe properly.  Other possible contributing factors included dehydration, stress-induced arrhythmias of the heart, and congestive heart failure with the rapid accumulation of fluid around the heart and in lungs.  Death by crucifixion was, in every sense of the word, excruciating (Latin, excruciatus, or "out of the cross").
- On The Physical Death of Jesus Christ, JAMA, March 21, 1986

 

Vs. 19 Why did Pilate write “King of the Jews” for Jesus accusation?

In order to spite the ruling Jews and perhaps to appease in some way his own conscience.

 

Vs. 23 Several times in this passage John says, “that scripture might be fulfilled.” What messianic prophesies are fulfilled in this passage?

Psalms 22:7-8,17-18; 34:20; 69:21 Zech 12:10 (1000 to 550 years before the crucifixion.)

 

Vs. 25 Jesus on the cross speaks to Mary and says, “Behold thy son” and then to John, “behold, thy mother.” What was taking place?

Jesus as the first-born son was responsible for the care of his mother since her husband was dead.   This was the fulfillment of that responsibility.

 

What is the physical and spiritual application of the water and blood flowing from Christ’s side?

Physically, it shows he was truly dead.  The blood and water signified a burst heart.  Spiritually, it showed a salvation from sin by the shed blood and sanctification by the water. The fulfillment of the Old Testament types at the brazen altar and laver.  

 

Vs. 38- 42 What is significant about Nicodemus coming with Joseph to claim the body of Christ?

John’s Gospel begins with Jesus telling Nicodemus of the new birth and now at the end of his book, Nicodemus shows that he truly had believed in Jesus, and was now no longer ashamed or afraid.

 

Vs. 40 How does this verse compare or contrast to the “shroud of Turin?”

The scriptures plainly say in several places he was wound in linen clothes (plural).  The shroud is one piece of cloth folded around a crucified man.

 

The Day Christ Was Crucified.

The Jewish "day" starts at sunset, a Roman "day," started at midnight like ours today.

 

The Israelites used the Roman count of four watches during the night.  These began at approximately 9:30 PM, 12:00 midnight, 2:30 AM (the cockcrow watch), and 5 AM.  Starting at sunrise they divided the day into "hours."  Thus when they said that something happened at the 6th hour it was about noon or 6 hours after sunrise, not 6 AM like we would say today.

 

Most scholars agree that John wrote to the Gentiles and would have used their terms for the time of day

 

Roman time: midnight to midnight

12a  Wed   12a		12a  Thur  12a		12a  Fri      12a		12a     Sat   12a
4th day  sundown	5th sundown to sundown		6th sundown to sundown		7th  sundown to sundown

Jewish time: sundown to sundown

Comparison of possible days Christ died.

Wednesday Crucifixion

Saturday Nisan 10th (Weekly Sabbath)	Triumphal Entry( John 12:12) Inspects the temple but does not cleanse it (Mark 11:11)
Sunday  11th	Curses the fig tree (Mark 11:12-13) Temple Cleansed (Mark  11:27)
Monday 12th	Fig tree found withered (Mark 11:20) Olivet Discourse  (Matthew 24)
Tuesday 13th	At Simons House (Mark 14) Passover Preparation
Wednesday 14th Day of the Crucifixion and Burial	(Mark 14:17-72 Mark 15:1-47) Passover eaten early after sundown Lord’s Supper In The Garden Trials, Crucifixion & Death Burial
Thursday 15th High or Holy Sabbath	Matthew 27:62-66 First day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Numbers 28:16-19) Guard placed Christ in the Tomb
Friday 16th	In the Tomb
Saturday 17th	In the Tomb until Sunset then Resurrected
Sunday 18th	First Appearances to Disciples early in morning

This provides an exact fulfillment (72 hrs) of Jesus prophecy concerning the prophet Jonah.  Matthew 12:40

Has triumphal entry with people cutting branches and animals working on a Sabbath day. Note Deut 5:14

Why didn’t the women come on Friday to anoint Jesus body?

Why would Jesus wait until Sunday morning to appear?

Thursday Crucifixion

Saturday Nisan 9th (Weekly Sabbath)	Resting in Bethany at Martha’s home
Sunday 10th	Triumphal Entry
Monday  11th	Temple Cleansed
Tuesday  12th	Olivet Discourse
Wednesday  13th	Anointed (evening) Passover Preparation (next morning)
Thursday 14th Day of the Crucifixion and Burial	Passover eaten early (right after sundown) Lord’s Supper instituted; prayer in The Garden. Arrested, then trials begin (late at night) last into morning Crucified, dies around 3 pm with the killing of the Paschal lambs Buried just before sundown (same day)
Friday 15th High or Holy Sabbath	Feast of Unleavened Bread Begins In the Tomb
Saturday 16th Weekly Sabbath	In the Tomb
Sunday 17th	Resurrection early in the morning as it dawns toward the first day of the week. Women arrive to anoint the body (Matt. 28:1) Sabbath is plural in Textus Receptus Earthquake, stone removed First Appearances to Disciples Met with Disciples on Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13)

Puts Triumphal Entry on Sunday rather than Sabbath.

Lacks a full 72 hours in the grave, but note Acts 10:40

Double Sabbaths explains why women waited to anoint the body.

Reconciles with Luke 24:21 (see chart below)
Friday Crucifixion

Saturday Nisan 9th Weekly Sabbath
Sunday 10th	Triumphal Entry
Monday 11th	Temple Cleansed
Tuesday  12th	Olivet Discourse
Wednesday 13th	Day of Silence
Thursday 14th	Passover Preparation Passover eaten early Lord’s Supper In The Garden
Friday  15th Day of the Crucifixion and Burial	Trials, Crucifixion, Burial
Saturday 16th Weekly Sabbath & High or Holy Sabbath	In the Tomb
Sunday  17th	Resurrection First Appearances to Disciples

 

Has only 1 ½ days in tomb.

Has to have one day (Wednesday) with nothing happening.

Simplest interpretation of John 19:31.

Thursday as  the Day of Crucifixion  by Author Lori Eldridge and taken from website http://www.prophezine.com/

Nisan 8th:

     Jesus and all his disciples arrive from Jericho on the 8th of Nisan. They probably stayed at Lazarus' house in Bethany for the night after such a long journey. (Matt 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-19:28; John 12:1-2).

Nisan 9th:

     This is the only day in the week that could have been the weekly Sabbath due to all the work being performed on the other days and all the nights Jesus returned to Bethany.

Nisan 10th:

     Jesus spent the night in Bethany. Jesus goes from Bethany to Jerusalem for Triumphal entry (Matt 21:1; Mark 11:1; & Luke 19:28,29).

Nisan 11th:

     Jesus went out of the city to Bethany for the night (Matt 21:17; Mark 11:11) Jesus goes back into the city [Jerusalem] early in the morning and curses the fig tree that is near Bethany (Matt 21:18,19; Mark 11:12).

Nisan 12th

     Jesus spend the night in Bethany (Mark 11:19). Mark indicates that the next morning on the way from Bethany to Jerusalem they saw the fig tree withered on the way back to the Temple (the tree was near Bethany). Mark and Matt differ on when they saw it withered but it is possible one of them didn't see it the night before in the dark.

          Jesus went into the Temple courts (Matt 21:23; Mark 11:20, 21). This is the day all the Pharisees, Sadducees and others tried to trap Jesus into saying things that they could arrest him with. All three gospel accounts are almost word for word on the events of this day. Jesus then gave the Olivet Discourse before leaving the city that afternoon while sitting on the Mount of Olives (Matt 21:23-26:1, Mark 11:20-13:37; Luke 20:1-Luke 21:5).

Nisan 13th

     Around sunset they leave Jerusalem and head for Bethany where they will be eating dinner at Simon's (Matt 26:6; Matt 14:3, John 12:1-8). They obviously spend the night in Bethany. Next day (but same day according to Jewish time) the disciples ask where to prepare the Passover. Jesus tells them where it will be and they go to make preparations in Jerusalem.

Nisan 14th

     Jesus and his disciples are now in Jerusalem eating their Passover shortly after sunset as God had instructed in the Exodus and Leviticus passages on Passover. Jesus retires to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.

     He prays while his disciples sleep till dark (John 18:3). He is arrested (Matt. 26:20-50; Mark 14:17-46; Luke 22:14-54; John 13:1-18:12). He is tried all through the night and hung on the cross and dies about 3 PM in the afternoon. He is buried before sunset (still the same day) because of the High Holy Day coming on for Passover

(Nisan 15).

CONCLUSION:

          By counting backwards from the day of the crucifixion it is easy to see that several days in a row could not have been the Sabbath. That leaves only one day that could be a Sabbath: Nisan 9. It is also very logical that Jesus would have rested on this day after such a long trip and especially with all the activities of the coming week and especially the 10th which was one of the most important days of his life. If you add seven days onto the Sabbath of the 9th then you get Nisan 16th as the next Sabbath, which would mean there was a High Holy Day Sabbath on the 15th and then the weekly Sabbath on the 16th, i.e., back-to-back Sabbaths right after the crucifixion. Also if the 16th was a Sabbath then that made Nisan 14, the day of the Crucifixion, a Thursday.

 

Luke 24 tells us that on the first day of the week (Sunday), after Jesus arose, two disciples were walking to Emmaus and were greeted by Jesus, but they didn't recognize him. They told him what had recently happened to their Savior and that it had been "the third day since all this took place." This probably occurred in the afternoon because shortly after this they are eating dinner in Emmaus (Luke 24:21-29).

 

          The following chart is provided so you can count backwards from Sunday to see which day fits the 3 day requirement.

 

          S = Sunset (beginning of the Jewish "day")

          D = Dawn (approx. time of resurrection )

          3 = 3 PM (approx. time of crucifixion)

          

Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Sat.	Sun.
S - - -  D -- - 3-	S - - -  D -- - 3-	S - - -  D -- - 3-	S - - -  D -- - 3-	S - - -  D -- - 3-
NIGHT   DAY	NIGHT  DAY	NIGHT   DAY	NIGHT   DAY	NIGHT   DAY
Day 4	Day 3	Day 2	Day 1	Day 0

 

          If you count backwards from Sunday, before dawn, to Wednesday 3 PM, you get four nights and four days. If you count backwards to Friday you only get two nights and two days. Thursday is the only combination that produces three days and three nights.

 

Conclusion

 

We can speculate, research and discuss the type of cross Jesus was crucified upon. We can wonder about the exact day upon which He died, but what we cannot be in doubt of is that He did die upon that cross and that He died to pay the price for our sin. Everything else is details but His death is deliverance.