We have good reason to believe that Jesus was killed on a cross ([[Tenney1964-ll]],[[Habermas2021-ih]] , [[Holoubek1995-sr]]) from external sources outside of the Bible. For the purpose of this submission, let's disregard all extrabiblical data and assume that what the Gospels record about this night is accurate since they are the closest documents to what really happened. First, Jesus was in great distress before the fateful night began. As he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, it's recorded that he sweated blood due to the high level of stress he experienced (Luke 22:44). For many years, this seemed fantastical, but it is now known that this is a very rare phenomenon called [Hematidrosis](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hematidrosis-hematohidrosis 'What Is Hematidrosis?') ([[Scott1918-kt]]). Hematidrosis is the result of hemorrhages into the sweat glands under the skin due to great emotional stress . While His blood loss was very minimal from this, on a cold night it could have produced chills. We Read in the Gospels that Jesus was beaten before He was sent to the cross at the Jewish trials. The guards blindfolded Jesus, spat on him, and struck him in the face with their fists. During the Roman trials, He was stuck repeatably on the head with a club and mocked. Next, He was sent to be scourged, which is described in the following way: > [!quote] [[Edwards1986-gz|On the physical death of Jesus Christ]] >the man was stripped of his clothing, and his hands were tied to an upright post. The backside, and legs were flogged� The severity of the scourging depended on the disposition of the lictors and was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death.� > From there, Jesus was led to carry His cross from the scourging site to Golgotha where He was to be crucified. Because of the horrific beatings, Jesus was not able to carry the cross and collapsed after a short distance. He was so weakened at this state that a passerby was made to carry the cross for Him (Matthew 27:32, Luke 23:26). This is backed by further historical evidence that some who underwent this whipping did not survive to even get crucified ([[Philo_of_Alexandria1929-dc]], [[Keener2012-jw]], [[Witherington2003-yf]], [[Carson1991-lc]], [[Josephus1927-dh]], [[Eusebius_of_Caesarea_Bishop_of_Caesarea2005-ro]], [[Gibson2009-xf]]). Once at the hill, Jesus was then nailed to the cross. He was most likely pierced on His wrists ([[Davis1997-ih]]) and feet ([[Haas1970-vo]]). The Gospels then record that He was on the Cross for over six hours ([[Gibson2009-xf]]) before taking his final breath. Before His body was taken down from the cross, the Roman soldier stabbed a spear in His side to make His death certain ([[Chilton2006-gl]]). The blood and water that is recorded to have poured out from His side are consistent with modern medical knowledge about pericardial effusion and pleural effusion, the fluid buildup around the lungs and heart ([[Stroud1871-fg]], [[Barbet2018-ti]], [[Maslen2006-bp]], [[Ball1989-gg]], [[Holding2010-lw]]). ### To summarize this submission: - Jesus was in an extreme state of stress and most likely did not sleep the night before the Crucifixion. - He was abandoned and left by His closest friends. - He was beaten in the face repeatedly by guards in the Jewish trials. - Romans taunted and beat Him with a club. - He was tied to a post and underwent scourging, resulting in extreme blood loss. - Jesus was forced to walk 2.5 miles carrying a cross, one that He could not bear, in front of all of Jerusalem. - His Crucifixion lasted for over 6 hours. - He was pierced with a spear before being taken down from the cross ([[Barb1971-hd]]) William Edwards, Wesley Gabel, and Floyd Hosmer put it best. > [!quote] [[Edwards1986-gz]] > Clearly, the weight of historical and medical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead before the wound to his side was inflicted and supports the traditional view that the spear, thrust between his right ribs, probably perforated not only the right lung but also the pericardium and heart and thereby ensured his death. Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern medical knowledge. Even if the Gospels were shown the be unreliable, the extra-biblical historical accounts confirm that Jesus died on the cross ([[Maier1975-yn]], [[Johnson1996-ly]], [[Crossan1994-ct]], [[Keener2012-jw]], [[Brown1998-kk]], [[Ludemann2010-te]]), the idea that he would be able to walk away or survive is foolish ([[Bryan2011-lm]], [[Seneca1902-dq]]). Read more at ([[Clark1890-hb]], [[Brenner2005-dh]], [[Le_Bec1941-sc]],[[Zugibe2005-bt]]) Jesus was in an extreme state of stress, beaten and scourged before being crucified. He was likely pierced on His wrists and feet, and on the cross for over 6 hours before being stabbed in the side with a spear. Both the Gospels and extra-biblical sources confirm Jesus' death on the cross.