Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Crucifixion was a method of capital punishment used in the ancient world, most notably by the Romans, where the condemned person was nailed or bound to a large wooden cross and left to hang until death. This form of execution was designed to be a public spectacle, serving as a deterrent to others. It was a particularly brutal and humiliating way to die, often reserved for slaves, criminals, and enemies of the state.Historical Context The practice of crucifixion dates back to at least the 6th century BC, with evidence of its use by the Persians, Carthaginians, and Macedonians. However, it was the Romans who perfected and widely employed this method of execution. Roman crucifixion was not only a means of execution but also a tool of political control, used to suppress rebellion and maintain order. Crucifixion in the Bible The most significant crucifixion in the Bible is that of Jesus Christ, which is central to Christian theology. The Gospels provide detailed accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, emphasizing its significance in God's redemptive plan for humanity. According to the Gospel of Matthew, "Then they crucified Him and divided His garments by casting lots" (Matthew 27:35). This event is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as Psalm 22:16-18, which foretold the Messiah's suffering and the casting of lots for His clothing. Theological Significance The crucifixion of Jesus is pivotal in Christian doctrine, symbolizing the atonement for sin. Christians believe that through His death on the cross, Jesus bore the punishment for humanity's sins, offering salvation to all who believe in Him. As stated in 1 Peter 2:24, "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His stripes you are healed" . The Apostle Paul further expounds on the significance of the crucifixion in his letters, particularly in Galatians 3:13, where he writes, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree'" . This underscores the belief that Jesus' death was a substitutionary sacrifice, satisfying the demands of justice and reconciling humanity to God. Cultural and Symbolic Impact The cross, once a symbol of shame and suffering, has become the central emblem of Christianity, representing faith, hope, and the love of God. The crucifixion is commemorated annually on Good Friday, a solemn day of reflection on the sacrifice of Christ. The Apostle Paul captures the paradox of the cross in 1 Corinthians 1:18: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" . Conclusion The crucifixion of Jesus Christ remains a profound and transformative event in Christian theology, symbolizing the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. Through His death and subsequent resurrection, believers find the promise of eternal life and the assurance of God's grace. Smith's Bible Dictionary Crucifixionwas in used among the Egyptians, (Genesis 40:19) the Carthaginians, the Persians, (Esther 7:10) the Assyrians, Scythains, Indians, Germans, and from the earliest times among the Greeks and Romans. Whether this mode of execution was known to the ancient Jews is a matter of dispute. Probably the Jews borrowed it from the Romans. It was unanimously considered the most horrible form of death. Among the Romans the degradation was also a part of the infliction, and the punishment if applied to freemen was only used in the case of the vilest criminals. The one to be crucified was stripped naked of all his clothes, and then followed the most awful moment of all. He was laid down upon the implement of torture. His arms were stretched along the cross-beams, and at the centre of the open palms the point of a huge iron nail was placed, which, by the blow of a mallet, was driven home into the wood. Then through either foot separately, or possibly through both together, as they were placed one over the other, another huge nail tore its way through the quivering flesh. Whether the sufferer was also bound to the cross we do not know; but, to prevent the hands and feet being torn away by the weight of the body, which could not "rest upon nothing but four great wounds," there was, about the centre of the cross, a wooden projection strong enough to support, at least in part, a human body, which soon became a weight of agony. Then the "accursed tree" with its living human burden was slowly heaved up and the end fixed firmly in a hole in the ground. The feet were but a little raised above the earth. The victim was in full reach of every hand that might choose to strike. A death by crucifixion seems to include all that pain and death can have of the horrible and ghastly, --dizziness, cramp, thirst, starvation, sleeplessness, traumatic fever, tetanus, publicity of shame, long continuance of torment, horror of anticipation, mortification of untended wounds, all intensified just up to the point at which they can be endured at all, but all stopping just short of the point which would give to the sufferer the relief of unconsciousness. The unnatural position made every movement painful; the lacerated veins and crushed tendons throbbed with incessant anguish; the wounds, inflamed by exposure, gradually gangrened; the arteries, especially of the head and stomach, became swollen and oppressed with surcharged blood; and, while each variety of misery went on gradually increasing, there was added to them the intolerable pang of a burning and raging thirst. Such was the death to which Christ was doomed. --Farrar's "Life of Christ. " The crucified was watched, according to custom, by a party of four soldiers, (John 19:23) with their centurion, (Matthew 27:66) whose express office was to prevent the stealing of the body. This was necessary from the lingering character of the death, which sometimes did not supervene even for three days, and was at last the result of gradual benumbing and starvation. But for this guard, the persons might have been taken down and recovered, as was actually done in the case of a friend of Josephus. Fracture of the legs was especially adopted by the Jews to hasten death. (John 19:31) In most cases the body was suffered to rot on the cross by the action of sun and rain, or to be devoured by birds and beasts. Sepulture was generally therefore forbidden; but in consequence of (21:22,23) an express national exception was made in favor of the Jews. (Matthew 27:58) This accursed and awful mode of punishment was happily abolished by Constantine. Easton's Bible Dictionary A common mode of punishment among heathen nations in early times. It is not certain whether it was known among the ancient Jews; probably it was not. The modes of capital punishment according to the Mosaic law were, by the sword (Exodus 21), strangling, fire (Leviticus 20), and stoning (Deuteronomy 21).This was regarded as the most horrible form of death, and to a Jew it would acquire greater horror from the curse in Deuteronomy 21:23. This punishment began by subjecting the sufferer to scourging. In the case of our Lord, however, his scourging was rather before the sentence was passed upon him, and was inflicted by Pilate for the purpose, probably, of exciting pity and procuring his escape from further punishment (Luke 23:22; John 19:1). The condemned one carried his own cross to the place of execution, which was outside the city, in some conspicuous place set apart for the purpose. Before the nailing to the cross took place, a medicated cup of vinegar mixed with gall and myrrh (the sopor) was given, for the purpose of deadening the pangs of the sufferer. Our Lord refused this cup, that his senses might be clear (Matthew 27:34). The spongeful of vinegar, sour wine, posca, the common drink of the Roman soldiers, which was put on a hyssop stalk and offered to our Lord in contemptuous pity (Matthew 27:48; Luke 23:36), he tasted to allay the agonies of his thirst (John 19:29). The accounts given of the crucifixion of our Lord are in entire agreement with the customs and practices of the Roman in such cases. He was crucified between two "malefactors" (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:32), and was watched by a party of four soldiers (John 19:23; Matthew 27:36, 54), with their centurion. The "breaking of the legs" of the malefactors was intended to hasten death, and put them out of misery (John 19:31); but the unusual rapidity of our Lord's death (19:33) was due to his previous sufferings and his great mental anguish. The omission of the breaking of his legs was the fulfilment of a type (Exodus 12:46). He literally died of a broken heart, a ruptured heart, and hence the flowing of blood and water from the wound made by the soldier's spear (John 19:34). Our Lord uttered seven memorable words from the cross, namely, (1) Luke 23:34; (2) 23:43; (3) John 19:26; (4) Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34; (5) John 19:28; (6) 19:30; (7) Luke 23:46. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of nailing or fastening a person to a cross, for the purpose of putting him to death; the use of the cross as a method of capital punishment.2. (n.) The state of one who is nailed or fastened to a cross; death upon a cross. 3. (n.) Intense suffering or affliction; painful trial. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CRUCIFIXIONkroo-si-fik'-shun. Greek 4716. stauros -- an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom. ... ... instrument of crucifixion). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: stauros Phonetic Spelling: (stow-ros') Short Definition: a cross Definition: a cross ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4716.htm - 8k 3586. xulon -- wood 4669. smurnizo -- to be like myrrh, to mingle with myrrh 3690. oxos -- sour wine 4717. stauroo -- to fence with stakes, to crucify Library The Crucifixion The Crucifixion. Crucifixion of Self. Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ, Gal. 6 14 The Crucifixion. His Passion and Crucifixion. The Crucifixion Seventeenth Day. Holiness and Crucifixion. Details of the Crucifixion. Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ. Gal. 6:14 Thesaurus Crucifixion (4 Occurrences)... The accounts given of the crucifixion of our Lord are in entire agreement with the customs and practices of the Roman in such cases. ...CRUCIFIXION. ... /c/crucifixion.htm - 11k Water (4571 Occurrences) Preparation (28 Occurrences) Cross (157 Occurrences) Golgotha (4 Occurrences) Calvary (1 Occurrence) Arimathaea (4 Occurrences) Arimathea (4 Occurrences) Blood (435 Occurrences) Vinegar (11 Occurrences) Resources What is the history of crucifixion? What was crucifixion like? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Swoon Theory? Did Jesus survive the crucifixion? | GotQuestions.org What trials did Jesus face before His crucifixion? | GotQuestions.org Crucifixion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Crucifixion (4 Occurrences)Matthew 26:2 Matthew 27:31 Mark 15:15 Acts 10:39 Subtopics Crucifixion of Disciples, Foretold Related Terms |
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