CRUCIFIXION! What an ominous word. Never in the history of mankind, in all its infamy, has a means of death so despicable, so torturous, been devised, except maybe by the British “Drawing and quartering”. Many credit the Romans with developing this means of death, but they are not the originators. History credits the Persians with this “honor” (B-17-256). The Romans may have perfected its use, made it more diabolical, and employed it more often than any others; but I believe the act of crucifixion…affixing a body to a “tree” is as old as “nails”, themselves, or rope, for that matter. Oftentimes, crucifixion was accomplished by tying the victim to the “tree”. The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians that hanging from a tree is a curse from time immemorial when he says, “it is written ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs from a tree’”…(Galatians 3:13).
…GALATIANS 3:13…Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs from a tree…’
In Deuteronomy 21:23, it says “…for he who is hanged is accursed of God.”…DEUTERONOMY 21:23…”his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance.”
Why shameful, cursed?
Maybe the act, alone, is indicative of shame, for those who are crucified suffer contempt from the public…They are criminals. Jesus is, after all, crucified with two criminals (Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:32).
Or, maybe it goes further.
The crucifixion depicted by artists, shows us a Jesus, with a cloth modestly covering his nakedness. But I believe those who are crucified are made to hang, unclothed…exposing themselves, naked, shamed before the world.
It is the custom of orthodox Jews to keep themselves modestly covered at all times. Members of the same sex, while bathing, take pains to conceal their nakedness. Public nakedness is the height of “shame”. Moses is admonished by Jehovah, in building the altar, not to use steps, so that “…your nakedness may not be exposed on it.” The need for modesty is decreed by God, Himself. So, I believe that the crucified victim is “cursed” by the very fact that he is exposed in his nakedness (Exodus 20:26).
…EXODUS 20:26…’And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.’
Jesus, with no reason for shame, is shamed by the act itself, as he hangs naked upon the cross. But we are assured that “…Jesus despising the shame endured” (Hebrews 12:2).
…HEBREWS 12:2…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Jews seeking signs, according to Paul, could therefore never accept a crucified Jesus as the Messiah “…Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block…” It is beyond the average Jew’s capability to accept that the Messiah…the enlightened One…the Savior of the World would allow Himself to be so shamefully treated. Paul explains how it could be so, by reminding us that “…God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.” And why? “So that no man could boast before God.” (1 Corinthians 1:22-29).
…1 CORINTHIANS 1:22-24,27-29…“For indeedJews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God…but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things that are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God.”
Let us examine the crucifixion itself. How is the crucifixion administered?
The physical act of crucifixion takes many forms. Some are strapped to the cross bar, others nailed to it. Some are crucified upside down…tradition holds that Peter was crucified in this manner, because he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified upright, as his Lord was. Tradition also says that Andrew was crucified on an “X” shaped cross…thus the Cross of St Andrew. Different trappings/ coverings are sometimes added to the victim, such as animal skins, and then carnivorous animals are set loose on them. Others are covered with flammables and set afire (Nero was credited with doing this to the Christians). Sometimes a wooden rest is provided on which the victim can sit, or on which the feet can rest, which prolongs the agony and dying. At other times a blade, like a sword, is secured to a stake below the victim; so that when the victim collapses, he is impaled on the sword. There are countless variations, each more diabolical than the other.
Despite the variations used, the ultimate purpose of crucifixion is to cause its victim excruciating pain and death…Death comes from respiratory failure. The muscles become fatigued, due to extreme stress placed on them, in holding up the hanging body. It becomes progressively more difficult to exhale…carbon dioxide builds up and the victim dies from slow suffocation. Sometimes the legs are broken below the knees; and because he is unable to force himself upright, he suffocates more quickly. This is considered a merciful act.
History reveals that the normal method of crucifixion by Romans included the nailing of the arms at wrists and the legs at the ankles. I imagine that this is the way in which Jesus of Nazareth is crucified.
What about the actual crucifixion of Jesus…what happens?
The gospels state only that “He was crucified”. The writers spare us the detals of the crucifixion itself. They tell of the guards “casting lots” for his clothes. Jesus is offered a sedative to drink (Matthew says “vinegar” and “gall”, and Mark, “wine” and “myrrh”) which they say he refuses. But John says he “received the sour wine”. Pilate has “King of the Jews” written on the board above his head, despite objections by the chief priests. John says “…it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek”. The people and soldiers mock and jeer him. And Jesus is crucified with criminals…Mark tells us that he is crucified at the “third hour” (Matthew 27:33-38; Mark 15:23-28; Luke 23:33-38; John 19:19-24, 30).
…MARK 15:23-28…And they tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it. And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments amongst themselves, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified Him. And the inscription of the charge against Him read, “THE KING OF THE JEWS?” And they crucified two robbers with Him, one on the right and one on the left. (Footnote states that verse 28 was added: And the scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And He was reckoned with transgressors’).
The scripture referred to is from Isaiah “And (He) was numbered with the transgressors.” David says, “They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots” (Isaiah 53:12; Psalm 22:18).
…ISAIAH 53:12…Because He poured out Himself to death and was numbered with the transgressor…I wondered for sometime why anyone would want his “garments”, which would be bloody and covered with other bodily excretions. But then, I read somewhere that his robelike undergarment was white and seamless and so, despite the condition of the robe, it is considered valuable, and that is why the soldiers cast lots for it. And, again, a thought, maybe Pilate put the “royal”/purple robe back on him to remind the people further that he is a king, and that would have value.
It is the third hour after dawn…9:00 AM, the day before the final Passover Sabbath.
Apparently Pilate wants to make sure that all of Mankind knows who the man is that is being crucified, because he insists on having the sign “King of the Jews” spelled out in the principal languages of the day…the charge for which he is being crucified, affixed to the cross, despite vehement objections by the “law keepers”…risking their displeasure. I think that he sincerely believes that Jesus is their king. I believe further, that this is his way to attempt to atone for his role in the judgement of Jesus…a physical act of “washing his hands”. It is his way of saying that this man, their king, has been condemned by them, not him. And maybe because he believes that the crucifixion of Jesus is a terrible injustice against the man and, quite possibly against a deity.
Examining this further, it appears that Jesus has the right to be called king, based on his heritage. His lineage can be traced back to King David. It could well be that he is the only one with this pedegree, and a right to the crown ( Matthew 1:6-16).
…MATTHEW 1:6-16…and to Jesse was born David the king. And to David was born Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah; and to Solomon was born Rehoboam; and to Rehoboam, Abijah; and to Abijah, Asa; and to Asa was born Jeosophat; and Jeosophat, Joram; and to Joram, Uzziah; and to Uzziah was born Jotham; and Jotham, Ahaz; and to Ahaz, Hezekiah; and to Hezekiah was born Manasseh; and to Manasseh, Amon; and to Amon, Josiah; and to Josiah were born Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon, to Jeconiah was born Shealtiel; and to Shealtiel, Zerubbabel; and to Zerubbabel was born Abiud; and to Abiud, Eliakim; and to Eliakim, Azor; and to Azor was born Zadok; and to Zadoc, Achim; and to Achim, Eliud; and to Eliud was born Eleazar; and to Eleazar, Matthan; and to Matthan, Jacob; and to Jacob was born Joseph, husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
The sedative (“vinegar”, “gall”,”wine”, or “myrrh”) offered him is intended to dull his senses, somewhat, from the pain. As mentioned, we read that there’s a difference of opinion as to whether he accepts or refuses the sedative. Maybe, according to John, the “sour wine”, contained in a sponge, is applied to his mouth, despite his refusal. He refuses to take it for the same reason he refuses to call on the Great Comforter to assuage his pain. Because the Father expects him to experience all of the pain and suffering meted out. “…And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand, as a result of the anguish in His soul”…(Isaiah 53:10, 11).
…ISAIAH 53:10, 11…But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand, as a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.
Since no details are provided of the actual crucifixion, itself…let us ascend the cross with Jesus of Nazareth. I mentioned previously that my play captures the passion of the crucifixion; and by acting out the agony of the experience for even a little over a minute I try to make the audience aware of His suffering…make them uncomfortable, distressed, if just for that moment in time.
On reaching the hill of Golgotha, Jesus is stripped of his garments, and forcibly placed on the ground…probably knocked down by one of the guards. We must always keep in mind that the guards are on exhibition, as well as the victims. Large crowds attend crucifixions. It is a very real form of entertainment for the masses, similar to the hangings in the “old west” in America, the guillotine in France, the beheadings in England, the flaming pyres of the Inquisition, and so on. So the guards are performing before the public, and they would not want to be viewed as less than zealous in the performance of their dutites.
Jesus lies naked on the ground, physically exhausted. The blood from his wounds mingles with the dirt and the sweat. The blood on his face, caused by the wounds from the thorned wreath, is probably dried, giving a scarred appearance to his visage. His arms are spread out and nailed at the wrists. A large nail is used to secure each wrist to the wooden beam. The wrists may have been nailed into the wood one at a time, or both at once. The guards know where to penetrate the wrist, so as not to sever a major artery, which would be disastrous, because he would bleed out and spoil the crucifixion. Think of how this would disappoint the crowd. A mallet is used to drive the long nail into the flesh and bone. Care is taken so that only the flesh and tendons are ripped asunder, along with minor capillaries, which will add very little to the flow of blood already oozing from his body. The nail pierces the median nerve, causing extreme pain with each blow of the mallet head.
After Jesus is nailed to the cross beam, several soldiers raise the beam and set it on the vertical stake/pole, which makes a T-shaped cross. Or maybe there is a slot, for the beam to be inserted, a little ways down from the top of the stake, making a more traditional “cross”. During the raising of the beam, other soldiers support the lower part of his body, so as not to put undue stress on the arms too soon. Nevertheless, as the beam is raised, Jesus feels the strain and pull on his arms and shoulders from the movement of the beam, alone. After the cross beam is secured to the vertical stake, his legs are nailed to it, either on a wooden rest, or into the stake itself. The nail is probably driven through both feet at once, around the middle of the foot…or maybe more than one nail is used to secure each foot. Now, secured to the cross, he literally hangs with his shoulders and arms bearing the weight of his lacerated body.
There are a number of Jews who watch with satisfaction as Jesus hangs there…priests, scribes, and others who feel threatened by his presence, and “hangers on” who appreciate a good “show”. They mock and taunt Jesus. They shout insults at him, encouraging him, sarcastically, to “save himself”. One of the criminals, who is crucified beside him, mocks him. The other criminal recognizes him as the Messiah and asks Jesus to intercede in his behalf. Jesus assures him that he would be with him “in Paradise” (Matthew 27:39-44; Mark 15:29-32; Luke 23:35-43)
…LUKE 23:35-37,39,40,42,43…And the people stood by looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the king of the Jews, save Yourself!”…”And one of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?”…”And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today, you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
John is more concerned with making us aware of those who are there, who revere and love Jesus…his mother, Mary, her sister, and the other two Marys…Magdalene and the wife of Clopas (some say Alphaeus), the husband of Jesus’ mother’s sister…his uncle. And John tells of how Jesus assigns the “disciple He loved” (considered to be John, himself) with the duty of caring for Jesus’ mother, and of her assuming the role of mother to the disciple (John 19:25-27).
…JOHN 19:25-27…Therefore the soldiers did these things. But there was standing by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household.
Here we see Jesus, the loving son, whose concern for his mother surpasses that of his own suffering. In his time of great trial and agony, his thoughts are of his mother’s wellbeing.
A thought of Mary the mother, at this time.
The agony she endures can be understood, but what of the questions that must confront her in her time of trial? Questions like: Who is this man, who causes so much strife? What power does her son have that the most powerful men in her tribe want him dead? He is only a carpenter, a teacher with a meager following, who threatens no one with bodily harm. And unlike the Zealots, he has no interest in overthrowing the Roman intruder. Why must he die? What terrible crimes has he committed to be crucified?
Surely Jesus must have told her beforehand what was to occur…maybe during the stay at Bethany. And it is remarkable that she would wonder at this, if we are to believe as most do, that, as a virgin, she was impregnated by the Spirit of God (Luke 1:35).
…LUKE 1:35…And the angel (Gabriel) answered and said to her (Mary), “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.”
If so, then how could she fail to realize that he would be something special? That he must do the business of the Father? And yet, years earlier when Jesus was twelve, she accused him of treating his family rudely, when he wandered off and went to the Temple to be with the teachers. The family couldn’t find him for three days, after the Passover Festival. And she didn’t understand when he told them he “had to be in His father’s house”,(Luke 2:42-50).
…LUKE 2:42,43,46,48-50…And when He became twelve, they went up there (Jerusalem) according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And His parents were unaware of it…And it came about that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking questions…And when they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” And they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.
Let us return to the cross and examine the torment of Jesus.
First, the physical. The shoulders start to cramp, from trying to hold himself up on the bar. The nerve damage to the wrists causes shooting pains, which are aggravated by the strain on his wrists. In severe distress his breath comes in gasps, as the carbon dioxide becomes increasingly difficult to expel. Voracious insects start to bore their way into the many wounds and welts on his body, causing extreme discomfort and pain. Birds of prey circle overhead, above the victims. Maybe some of the birds become bold enough to attack the face of Jesus, ripping off an ear or his nose. It’s doubtful however, that the Father would permit disfigurement of His beloved Son by His creatures, but it has happened many times to those crucified, before and after him.
Jesus finds it increasingly difficult to force his body upright. The arms, that started out nearly horizontal, become V-shaped, as the weight of his body forces the arms to sag and give way. They start to rotate out of the shoulder sockets. The more his body sags, the greater the restriction on his breathing…the more severe the pain. Eventually, he finds it impossible to hold his head upright, and it, too, sags upon the chest. He is suffocating…he is near death.
Next, the emotional suffering.
We know that Jesus is made to bear the sins of the world. We read that “He was crushed for our iniquities;…” Only with “His blood” would mankind be forgiven, nay pardoned, nay again…”justified” (acquitted) for its manifold sins and wickedness (Isaiah 53:5; Romans 5:8,9).
…ISAIAH 53:5…But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening of our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.
…ROMANS 5:8,9…But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justifed by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
All the wicked acts of which he is innocent, through the grace of God and His Spirit, Jesus is made to experience in his mind. He is made to feel the shame and embarrassment of an adulterer. He is overcome by the great despair and sorrow that accompanies the taking of a life. The guilt of lasciviousness and wickedness is his. And greed and lust remain in his thoughts, while swimming in a sea of pain. In his weakened condition, during the three hours that he hangs on the cross, his mind remains open to every calumny and act of degradation. He sees himself, in his mind’s eye, doing these despicable acts. He is ashamed of his nakedness.
Jesus is made to feel, not only the gross emotions that accompany the commitment of nefarious acts, but as though he has, indeed, committed these acts. And worse, that this type of action, on his part, is endemic in him. He, quite literally, bears the evil of man, while hanging on the cross. Naked to the world, bearing the sins of mankind for three excruciating, mind-crazed hours.
At the ninth hour, Jesus cries out, in Aramaic, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI”. This is interpreted as being, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Some of the Jews think that Jesus is crying out for Elijah, and make fun of him (Matthew 27:46, 47, 49; Mark 15:34,35).
…MATTHEW 27:46,47,49…And at about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?” And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah”…”But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come and save Him.”
He expires on the ninth hour…3:00 PM
An aside. There are various times that Aramaic words are used by Jesus. I think that this is done to show that, even though Jesus usually speaks the language of that day, Greek and Hebrew, from time to time he speaks in his vernacular tongue…Aramaic. Maybe he uses Aramaic at times of extreme stress when it just spills out, involuntarily, as above…or maybe, purposefully,at times, in a familiar sense, as expressions of endearment.
Aramaic was a North Semitic language…originating in Mesopotamia. Syria was called Aram by the Greeks. Thus, Aramaic meant the language of Syria. Aramaic was the language adopted by the Jews of the Diaspora, starting with exile in Persia. Several of the books of the old testament were written in Aramaic. Aramaic was the vernacular tongue of those Jews living in the northern part of Palestine, including Galilee. A form of Aramaic is called Syriac, today. Syriac has a distinctive rhythm and intonation to it that renders it unique in its sound. Earlier, I alluded to the fact that the way Peter talked may have stamped him as a Galilean…Aramaic vocal rhythm?
While performing as Jesus in my play, I attempt to speak in a rhythmic manner and place emphasis on syllables, within words, that simulate what I believe to be the Syriac sound. Definitely not the manner in which I normally speak.
What happens that causes Jesus to cry out to God about forsaking him?
I believe that the Father has been in view throughout the entire period of the trials and tribulations of His Son. He does not provide him any solace from the Great Comforter. He provides no balm for his pain and suffering. He is just there…providing comfort by His visible presence. But, just before Jesus expires, He turns away. He, quite literally, leaves Jesus alone to die. It is probable that the Father does this because He is overcome by emotion, and can not bear to watch, and then again He expects His Son to face death alone.
Back to the cross, where fatigue and pain overwhelms Jesus. As he is about to succumb, he says he is thirsty, and they offer him vinegar to drink. John says that after taking the vinegar, Jesus says, “It is finished.” Earlier, he committed his spirit to the Father. A soldier thrusts his spear into Jesus’ side, and blood and water issue forth. Jesus expires…The gospels are joined at his death (Matthew 27:48,50; Mark 15:36,37; Luke 23:46; John 19:28-34).
…JOHN 19:28-30,33,34…After this, Jesus knowing that all things had already been accomplished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine (vinegar) was standing there; so they put a sponge full of sour wine upon a branch of hyssop, and brought it to His mouth. When Jesus therefore received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” and He bowed His Head, and gave up the spirit…but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs; but one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water.
(Note: He says he is “thirsty”, probably hoping to drink water, but they give him the “sponge full of sour wine” instead.)
When he says “It is finished”, he means that he has done all that is expected of him, and that the prophecies have been fulfilled. It is expected that he would suffer greatly, and die, which he does, along with great torment, ridicule, and shame.
In addition to the writings of the prophets, primarily those of Isaiah, some of which were quoted, heretofore; there is also the song of David (beloved). This song prophecies the trials and tribulations of Jesus, along with the cries of anguish of David himself, starting with the first verse, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” (Psalm 22: 1, 7,816-18).
…PSALM 22:1,7,8,16-18…”My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?…All who see me sneer at me; they separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying “Commit yourself to the LORD; let Him deliver him; let Him rescue him, because He delights in him”…For dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones, they look, they stare at me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”