Crucifixion

A most painful, cruel and protracted form of execution which involved the victim being roped or nailed to an elevated wooden cross. This form of execution was favoured by the Romans, who regarded it as a deterrent to political rebellion against the authority of Rome at the time of Jesus Christ.

The method of crucifixion

The victim was scourged before crucifixion

John 19:1 parallels Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:15, Luke 23:22 See also Luke 23:16

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged.

The victim carried his cross

John 19:17 Matthew 27:32–33; Mark 15:21–22; Luke 23:26

Carrying His own cross, He went out to The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.

The victim was fixed to the cross

Luke 23:33 parallels Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, John 19:23 See also John 20:25

When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.

A charge board was fixed to the cross

Matthew 27:37 parallels Mark 15:26, Luke 23:38, John 19:19

Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

The victim's sufferings were protracted

Matthew 27:54 parallels Mark 15:39, Luke 23:47John 19:32–33, John 19:34 See also Mark 15:25, Mark 15:33, Mark 15:37

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.

Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

OT prophecies concerning Jesus Christ's crucifixion

Psalm 22:16–18 Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20; John 19:36; Psalm 22:1, Psalm 22:7–8, Psalm 69:21, Psalm 109:25; Isaiah 50:6, Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:9; Amos 8:9–10; Zechariah 12:10, Zechariah 13:6–7

For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

Jesus Christ's predictions concerning the manner of his death

John 12:32–33 See also John 3:14, John 8:28, John 18:31–32

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.

Responsibility for the crucifixion ascribed to Jews and Gentiles alike

1 Corinthians 2:8 See also John 19:15; Acts 2:23

None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

The crucifixion involved a curse

Deuteronomy 21:22–23 See also Genesis 2:17; Acts 5:30, Acts 10:39, Acts 13:29; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24

If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree, you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

The crucifixion involved shame

Hebrews 12:2 See also 1 Corinthians 1:23; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 13:13

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Believers are united with Jesus Christ in his crucifixion

Galatians 2:20 See also Romans 6:6

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Crucifixion illustrates discipleship

Mark 8:34 parallels Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23 See also Matthew 10:38; Luke 14:27; Galatians 5:24, Galatians 6:14

Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

The crucifixion is remembered in glory

Revelation 5:6 See also Revelation 1:7

Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.