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In this lesson:
The Messiah is crucified. Study Tip: Reading Bible passages a second time reinforces lessons learned and helps you catch essential points you might have missed with the first read. |
By an unknown artist.
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The slow death
Crucifixion!
Crucifixion wasn't just a means of execution; it was a psychological weapon used to intimidate anyone who challenged the authority of the Roman empire. Crucifixion was designed by the Romans to inflict maximum pain while slowly killing. Death on the cross was reserved for traitors, slaves, foreigners, and the lowest of criminals. Rome allowed slavery but considered crucifixion so horrendous it was illegal to crucify a Roman citizen, no matter what their crime. The first public crucifixions took on a carnival atmosphere and attracted large, boisterous crowds. But by the time Jesus hung on the cross crucifixions had become routine. The loud curious mobs had long disappeared leaving only Jesus' mother, and a handful of followers and accusers to watch the Messiah die. To most of the people of Jerusalem, the Messiah's death was just another ho-hum execution.
With the jeers of the crowd filling their ears, the ill-fated prisoners were led to their execution site and stripped naked, adding to their humiliation. Then primitive iron nails six to eight inches long with two inch sharpened points were pounded through their hands or wrists with a heavy mallet. Experienced executioners knew precisely where to place the
nails to cut the tendons that run the length of the arm up to the shoulders. With severed tendons, the crucified were forced to use their back and shoulder muscles to support their weight as they hung on the cross. Once the wrists of the struggling victim were hammered down, a single nail was driven through both feet to anchor them to the wooden cross. The crucifix was then raised, and the base of the cross dropped into a three-foot-deep hole with a jarring thud. If they were unlucky enough to have inexperienced or hurried executioners, one or both of the struggling prisoner's wrists could come loose as the cross dropped into place, causing them to fall forward with their feet still fastened to the crucifix. They were then brought back down screaming and re-nailed.
After the naked and helpless victim was secured and the cross set upright in the air, the crucified would be on full display to the eyes of the taunting crowd and the death watch would begin. Death on the cross was slow. Their gradual physical decline gave the condemned time to think about their death as they writhed in agony. The intense physical and psychological misery steadily increased as the sufferer slowly succumbed to dehydration, loss of blood, trauma, shock, fear, pain, and sheer exhaustion. Most died from suffocation when they couldn't hold themselves up on the cross any longer. As the weight of the weakening upper torso collapsed over their diaphragm breathing became difficult. The victims found they could take air in but couldn't exhale it. The only way to catch a breath was to pull themselves up the cross by their nailed wrists. Pulling themselves up caused horrific pain as the punctured wrists bore the entire weight of the fading body. Once the crucified raised themselves up on the cross, their arm and shoulder muscles quickly cramped and weakened. When they could take the pain no longer the condemned would sink back down and rest their weight on the nail driven through their feet. This relieved the pain in the upper torso, but the agony in their feet, ankles, and legs sent throbbing shivers through their body, and the pectoral muscles in the chest again became temporarily paralyzed. In the panic for another breath, they would again pull themselves back up the cross by their wrists. If a man passed out, he was quickly jarred awake as his body gasped for air. This up and down struggling was repeated over and over until death finally came. In Jesus' case, it took over three hours. If the crucified were still alive when the executioners were ready to leave their legs were broken to keep them from pushing themselves up the cross for another breath. With shattered legs, death came quickly. It was not until AD 313, two hundred and eighty years after Jesus died on the cross, that Rome outlawed crucifixion.
Crucifixion!
Crucifixion wasn't just a means of execution; it was a psychological weapon used to intimidate anyone who challenged the authority of the Roman empire. Crucifixion was designed by the Romans to inflict maximum pain while slowly killing. Death on the cross was reserved for traitors, slaves, foreigners, and the lowest of criminals. Rome allowed slavery but considered crucifixion so horrendous it was illegal to crucify a Roman citizen, no matter what their crime. The first public crucifixions took on a carnival atmosphere and attracted large, boisterous crowds. But by the time Jesus hung on the cross crucifixions had become routine. The loud curious mobs had long disappeared leaving only Jesus' mother, and a handful of followers and accusers to watch the Messiah die. To most of the people of Jerusalem, the Messiah's death was just another ho-hum execution.
With the jeers of the crowd filling their ears, the ill-fated prisoners were led to their execution site and stripped naked, adding to their humiliation. Then primitive iron nails six to eight inches long with two inch sharpened points were pounded through their hands or wrists with a heavy mallet. Experienced executioners knew precisely where to place the
nails to cut the tendons that run the length of the arm up to the shoulders. With severed tendons, the crucified were forced to use their back and shoulder muscles to support their weight as they hung on the cross. Once the wrists of the struggling victim were hammered down, a single nail was driven through both feet to anchor them to the wooden cross. The crucifix was then raised, and the base of the cross dropped into a three-foot-deep hole with a jarring thud. If they were unlucky enough to have inexperienced or hurried executioners, one or both of the struggling prisoner's wrists could come loose as the cross dropped into place, causing them to fall forward with their feet still fastened to the crucifix. They were then brought back down screaming and re-nailed.
After the naked and helpless victim was secured and the cross set upright in the air, the crucified would be on full display to the eyes of the taunting crowd and the death watch would begin. Death on the cross was slow. Their gradual physical decline gave the condemned time to think about their death as they writhed in agony. The intense physical and psychological misery steadily increased as the sufferer slowly succumbed to dehydration, loss of blood, trauma, shock, fear, pain, and sheer exhaustion. Most died from suffocation when they couldn't hold themselves up on the cross any longer. As the weight of the weakening upper torso collapsed over their diaphragm breathing became difficult. The victims found they could take air in but couldn't exhale it. The only way to catch a breath was to pull themselves up the cross by their nailed wrists. Pulling themselves up caused horrific pain as the punctured wrists bore the entire weight of the fading body. Once the crucified raised themselves up on the cross, their arm and shoulder muscles quickly cramped and weakened. When they could take the pain no longer the condemned would sink back down and rest their weight on the nail driven through their feet. This relieved the pain in the upper torso, but the agony in their feet, ankles, and legs sent throbbing shivers through their body, and the pectoral muscles in the chest again became temporarily paralyzed. In the panic for another breath, they would again pull themselves back up the cross by their wrists. If a man passed out, he was quickly jarred awake as his body gasped for air. This up and down struggling was repeated over and over until death finally came. In Jesus' case, it took over three hours. If the crucified were still alive when the executioners were ready to leave their legs were broken to keep them from pushing themselves up the cross for another breath. With shattered legs, death came quickly. It was not until AD 313, two hundred and eighty years after Jesus died on the cross, that Rome outlawed crucifixion.
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 23:26-43
"Forgive them" 26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. 28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. 30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. 31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? 32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. |
Margin notes:
"They laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian." (23:26) - Simon was from Cyrene, a city in North Africa founded by Greeks in 630 BC. Cyrene was the capital of Cyrenaica (present-day Libya) and boasted a large Jewish population. A Hellenistic Jew, Simon was either visiting Jerusalem during the Passover holiday or had moved to the Holy City and was possibly part of the synagogue of the Cyrenians mentioned in Acts 6:9. His son Rufus (Mark 15:21) became a prominent member of the early Christian church (Romans 16:13). "On him they laid the cross." (23:26) - Condemned prisoners were usually forced to carry their crosses to the execution site. But Jesus had been so severely beaten and scourged that He was unable to. "The paps which never gave suck." (23:29) - "The breasts that never nursed." "Say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us." (23:30) - Jesus is paraphrasing Hosea 10:8. "For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" (23:31) - Many Bible scholars believe this verse means, "If Jesus can be crucified, what will happen to Israel?" Others think it means, "If this can happen when things are good, what will happen when bad times arrive." "There were also two other, malefactors." (23:32) - As prophesied in Isaiah 53:12 seven hundred years earlier. "Calvary." (23:33) - Latin for Golgotha, or "place of the skull" (Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17). Calvary was a small hill used to crucify criminals, located northwest of Jerusalem just outside the gates of the city (Hebrews 13:12). It was common to hold crucifixions on hilltops so that people could easily see the execution and be warned. The main road into Jerusalem ran past Calvary giving travelers a good view of the crucifixion. There was a garden nearby and a fresh grave where Jesus was buried (John 19:41). "There they crucified him." (23:33) - As prophesied in Psalm 22:16 centuries earlier. "Forgive them." (23:34) - Proving that Jesus loves us, He even forgave those who crucified Him, as prophesized in the last six words of Isaiah 53:12. "Parted his raiment." (23:34) - Means "divided his garments," as predicted in Psalm 22:18. "The people stood beholding." (23:35) - "The people stood watching" as predicted in Psalm 22:17 hundreds of years earlier. "The soldiers also mocked him." (23:36) - As prophesied in Psalm 22:7. "Vinegar." (23:36) - A cheap sour wine (Numbers 6:3) popular with Roman soldiers. Offering Jesus vinegar was prophesied in Psalm 69:21. "A superscription also was written." (23:38) - "An inscription was also written." The condemned typically had their crime written on the cross above their head so everyone could see. "One of the malefactors." (23:39) - According to Matthew 27:44 and Mark 15:32, both thieves mocked Jesus from their crosses. But as we see here, one thief repented. "Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?" (23:40) - "Don't you even respect God when you're dying?" "Verily I say unto thee." (23:43) - "Truly, I tell you." |
Read more on the crucifixion in Matthew 27:33-44 (lesson 60), Mark 15:22-32 (lesson 98) and John 19:17-24.
New Living Translation
Luke 23:26-43
The Crucifixion
26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women.
28 But Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29 For the days are coming when they will say, 'Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.'
30 People will beg the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and plead with the hills, 'Bury us.'
31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him.
33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified-one on his right and one on his left.
34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let him save himself if he is really God's Messiah, the Chosen One."
36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine.
37 They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
38 A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: "This is the King of the Jews."
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself-and us, too, while you're at it!"
40 But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die?
41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong."
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."
43 And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
The Crucifixion
26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women.
28 But Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don't weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29 For the days are coming when they will say, 'Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.'
30 People will beg the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and plead with the hills, 'Bury us.'
31 For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him.
33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified-one on his right and one on his left.
34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let him save himself if he is really God's Messiah, the Chosen One."
36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine.
37 They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"
38 A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: "This is the King of the Jews."
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself-and us, too, while you're at it!"
40 But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die?
41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong."
42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."
43 And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." (23:33-34)
"And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself." (23:36-37)
"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss." (23:39-41)
"And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself." (23:36-37)
"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss." (23:39-41)
Today's Question:
1. Did the thief on the cross repent out of faith? (23:39-43)
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1. Did the thief on the cross repent out of faith? (23:39-43)
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Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. Yes, as the thief hung on the cross waiting to die, his simple nine-word prayer ("Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.") proves his incredible faith. His words show that he believed in an afterlife and that Jesus will rule over it. His appeal to be remembered was a plea for forgiveness and mercy from our Lord. The priests and soldiers watching Jesus die naked on the cross thought they were finally rid of Him. But the thief knew better. Jesus is our Lord and Savior and able to grant everlasting life and the mercy the thief sought. How many of us watching Christ die would have believed that Jesus' death was the beginning of His kingdom and not the sad end? Even His closest disciples had run away. It took incredible faith for the thief to believe that the man gasping for breath on the cross next to him was the Messiah.
The repentant thief taught us that it is never too late to be saved and that it is faith that saves us and not our good works.
Application thought for the day:
When Jesus died on the cross, He took the humiliation, pain, and punishment that mankind had earned with their sins. Following God's centuries-old plan, Jesus took our place and accepted our punishment so that we could be forgiven (1 John 4:10).
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke