Day 312, More Insights Crucifixion—What is it?
The Bible Knowledge Commentary describes the crucifixion of Jesus, which we witness in today’s Bible reading. This is a summary of it.
Crucifixion remains one of the cruelest forms of capital punishment ever devised. The Roman government only crucifies those who are considered the worst of criminals. Pilate tried to deliver Jesus from this fate—he knew the religious leaders only wanted him killed because they were jealous of him. But Pilate caved to pressure from the crowd.
Those sentenced to die by crucifixion carry a 100-pound cross beam on which they will be impaled. Jesus is so weak from the previous night’s mocking, whipping, and beatings that the soldiers get Simon of Cyrene to bear his cross part of the way.
At the top of the crucifix, the soldiers nail a sign listing the crimes of the criminals. In the case of Jesus, the sign reads, “This is Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Crucifixion is an example to others of the penalty for rebellion against the Roman government. The irony is that Jesus is innocent of any wrong, and yet the sign is correct, for he is the King of the Jews.
The site of the crucifixion is Golgotha, a rocky hill that resembles a giant skull. When the criminals arrive, they offer them wine to dull the senses and ease the pain they will bear, but Jesus refuses it. Then, the criminals’ arms and legs are stretched out and held tight. They are then nailed to a rough-hewn wooden cross with long iron spikes into their hands and feet.
Through many long hours (and sometimes days), the criminals hanging on the cross are in agony. Each attempt to push up so they might fill their lungs with oxygen is excruciating. Finally, the condemned suffocate, not having the stamina to push themselves up anymore. If their deaths are not quick in coming, the legs are often broken to hasten their demise (Jesus dies after three hours of suffering, so they do not break his legs).
End notes. 1. or perhaps, the wrists and ankles, for they are considered part of the hands and feet and can bear the weight of the body
2, the soldiers already whipped Jesus—his back is a bloody, raw, painful mess, and this adds to his agony and loss of strength.
summary source: The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the N.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, pp. 88-89, 188, and 262.
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