Deicide: The execution of Jesus

How, when, where, why, and by whom was Jesus executed?

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Note:

This essay is written from the Christian perspective that Yeshua of Nazareth (Jesus Christ) was crucified circa 30 CE in Jerusalem, Judea. It assumes that Muslim teaching is incorrect. Muslims generally believe that the gospels in the Christian Scriptures are wrong: Yeshua was neither crucified nor resurrected.

How was Yeshua killed?

He was killed by crucifixion - a technique reserved for punishing slaves and persons perceived by the Roman occupying army as rebels or terrorists. He was first flogged. Then he was attached, naked, to a wooden apparatus and exposed to die. It was an upright post that may have had a horizontal beam connected to it at or near the top. His wrists were nailed and/or his arms were tied in place. His ankles were nailed or tied to the post. Over time, crucifixion victims were no longer able to raise themselves so that they could breath. Death was usually by asphyxiation. It typically took a few days for the convicted person to expire. It was normally a slow, agonizing, humiliating, horrible death.

There does not appear to be conclusive evidence of the exact design that was used to execute Jesus.

After the victim was dead, the body was typically thrown on a dump to be eaten by scavenging animals. Some liberal theologians believe that this was Jesus' fate. The Gospels give a different story; they describe how Joseph of Arimathea obtained special permission to bury Jesus in his unused tomb.

When was Yeshua killed?

Most people believe that Jesus was crucified on a Friday morning, in the spring time, near the time of Passover about 30 CE. The Gospels of Peter, Chapters 4 & 5; Mark 15; Matthew 27; Luke 23 and John 19 record the events associated with the crucifixion. (The Gospel of Peter was apparently written before the remaining 4 gospels. ₁ But it was never accepted into the official canon of the Christian Scriptures.) Most Gospel writers state the crucifixion began at the 3rd hour (9 AM), and that Jesus died about the 9th hour (3 PM). The exact year is unknown; a range from 29 to 33 CE has been suggested.

Where was Yeshua killed?

He was executed at Golgotha, The Place of the Skull, in Jerusalem, Judea. This was the location where executions were performed in that city. It was originally located outside the city gates. Jerusalem has since grown to encompass the execution site. Golgotha's exact location is not known with certainty. A church has been erected on what some Christians believe was the location of the crucifixion.

Who killed Yeshua?

He was executed by soldiers of the Jerusalem garrison of the Roman army. They were the only organization in 1^st century Palestine authorized to carry out crucifixions. They were also the only group with the necessary experience at this grisly task. The gospels record that the execution was authorized by Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judea. The Bible describes that Pilate's judgment was greatly influenced by the local Jewish leaders and by a Jewish mob of unknown size. Most conservative Christians believe that the Gospel story is precise, and free of error. Many religious liberals view this as unhistorical, anti-Jewish propaganda.

Why did the Romans decide kill Yeshua?

Many theologians reason that since Jesus was not a slave, then he must have been viewed by the Roman authorities as a rebel - a threat to the established order. Only slaves, and persons considered traitors or insurrectionists were crucified by the Roman occupying forces. Anyone who committed aggravated assault in the Jerusalem Temple near the time of Passover when Jerusalem was crowded with visitors and religious passions were at their maximum, would probably be considered to be an insurrectionist.

Reference used:

1. J.D. Crossan, "Who Killed Jesus: Exposing the roots of Anti-Semitism in the Gospel Story of the Death of Jesus," Harper Collins, (1995) Order from Amazon.com