Truth 7: He could have easily survived the Cross …
Truth #07: JESUS COULD HAVE EASILY SURVIVED THE CROSS …
Please take note of the following highly unusual circumstances of Jesus’ crucifixion:
* Anomaly A) Luke 23:16 & John 19:1, the only two New Testament references to the physical “torture” Jesus endured prior to his crucifixion, say only that he was “flogged”. Thirty-nine lashes was the limit of Jewish law at the time, and – while definitely extremely painful – was not dramatically torturous. Keep in mind as well that it was a very sympathetic Pontius Pilate (probably a co-conspirator, even) who had him so punished, making it even more likely that Jesus was handled relatively gently before his end-ordeal.
* Anomaly B) While the average death by crucifixion required roughly three days (give or take a day), Jesus remained on the cross for only three hours (possibly six — see Matthew 27:45-46, Mark 15:33-34 & Luke 23:44-46). This would explain why Pilate outwardly “marveled” that Jesus was already dead so soon, as well as why he demanded that a centurion verify the same (see Mark 15:44). Indeed, the other two “bandits” crucified to Jesus’ left & right were also still alive at this time – hence the need to break their legs so they would suffocate in time for their bodies to be taken down before the beginning of the Passover Sabbath that evening (see John 19:30-32).
* Anomaly C) In three of the four Gospels, Jesus “dies” suddenly, immediately after drinking a mixture of gall & vinegar (“chole” in Greek – see Matthew 26:42, 27:48, Mark 14:36, 15:36 & John 19:29) — a drought that was known to render one unconscious when imbibed.
* Anomaly D) Because the centurion had confirmed that Jesus was already “dead” — the same centurion, by the way, who had already witnessed Jesus’ “death” and proclaimed him to be “a Son of God” (see Matthew 27:44, Mark 15:39 & Luke 23:47), his legs were not broken (see John 19:33).
* Anomaly E) The Greek words used by the Gospel writers to describe Jesus’ death (“gave up his spirit” in Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37 & John 19:30 … and “breathed his last breath” in Luke 23:46) all directly imply a connotation of volition; the presence of choice – that Jesus chose to give up his spirit; that he chose to breath his last breath; that it was volitional — if not also pre-planned.
* Anomaly F) Ironically, the spear thrust that Jesus received from one of the soldiers (only in the Gospel of John) – a stabbing that was supposed to prove Jesus’ death – actually is another piece of evidence showing that he was probably still alive at the time, as there was a “sudden flow of blood and water” that ensued (Greek = “flowed forth immediately”); something that would not have happened were Jesus already dead with an non-beating heart (see John 19:34). Though this portion of the tale is probably a later addition to the true story (reflecting the belief that the Messiah must come “with water and blood” – see Ezekiel 16:9, Psalm 79:3, 1 Corinthians 10:4 & 1 John 5:6), it would not indicate a fatal wound anyway, as the only place where such a piercing would yield any significant amount of water (or similar clear bodily fluid) would be the large intestine – an injury that, while grievous, would only have proven deadly several days later (unless tended thereafter by caring hands & medicinal herbs, of course – but more on that a bit later).
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