Crucifixion

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). The crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth—His execution by Roman authorities on a wooden cross outside Jerusalem around 30-33 CE—stands as the defining event of Christian faith, the linchpin of Christian theology, the central symbol of Christianity. For believers, the cross is not merely a historical tragedy but the moment of cosmic redemption, when the Son of God bore humanity’s sin, satisfied divine justice, defeated death and Satan, and opened the way to eternal life. Paul declares, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). The cross, an instrument of Roman torture designed to maximize pain, shame, and terror, becomes in Christian understanding the supreme revelation of God’s love, the ultimate victory disguised as defeat, the throne from which Christ reigns. Yet the crucifixion is also Christianity’s scandal—“a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23)—for what kind of Messiah dies cursed on a tree? What kind of God suffers execution as a criminal? The cross divides humanity: to some, foolishness; to others, the power and wisdom of God.

The Practice of Crucifixion

Roman Method

Crucifixion was a Roman form of execution reserved for slaves, rebels, and the worst criminals. Roman citizens were typically exempt. It was designed not merely to kill but to:

Maximize Pain: Death came slowly—often over days—from a combination of factors:

• Exhaustion
• Blood loss
• Dehydration
• Asphyxiation (the victim must push up on nailed feet to breathe, causing excruciating pain, until exhaustion makes breathing impossible)

Maximize Shame: Victims were typically stripped naked, publicly humiliated, displayed at roadsides as warnings to others.

Deter Rebellion: Crucifixion was political terrorism—Rome crucified thousands after slave revolts (Spartacus’s followers) and rebellions. The message: this is what happens to those who challenge Rome.

The Process

1. Scourging: Victim was brutally flogged with a whip embedded with bone, metal, or glass, tearing flesh to ribbons
2. Carrying the crossbeam: Victim carried the patibulum (horizontal beam) to the execution site
3. Nailing: Victim’s hands (likely wrists) and feet were nailed to the wood
4. Raising: The cross was lifted and dropped into a hole, causing additional trauma
5. Exposure: Victim hung, often for hours or days, until death from asphyxiation, shock, or exposure
6. Death verification: Soldiers sometimes broke legs (crurifragium) to hasten death by preventing the victim from pushing up to breathe

Bodies were often left on crosses for birds and beasts, the final indignity.

The Curse

Deuteronomy 21:23 declared: “A hanged man is cursed by God.”

For Jews, crucifixion carried divine curse. Anyone executed this way was under God’s judgment. This made Jesus’ crucifixion particularly scandalous—how could the Messiah, God’s anointed, be cursed?

The Crucifixion of Jesus

The Gospel Accounts

All four Gospels detail the crucifixion, agreeing on core facts while adding unique details:

The Journey to Golgotha: “And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus” (Luke 23:26).

Jesus, weakened by scourging and beating, could not carry the cross alone. Simon was compelled to help.

The Place: “And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull)” (Mark 15:22).

Outside Jerusalem’s walls, a place of execution.

The Offering: “They offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it” (Mark 15:23).

A mild anesthetic; Jesus refused, choosing to endure full suffering.

The Crucifixion: “And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots” (Matthew 27:35).

Fulfilling Psalm 22:18: “They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

The Inscription: “Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews’” (John 19:19).

In Hebrew, Latin, and Greek—a universal declaration. The Jewish leaders protested, but Pilate refused to change it.

The Two Thieves: “Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him” (Luke 23:32).

Fulfilling Isaiah 53:12: “He was numbered with the transgressors.”

One thief mocked; the other believed and received Jesus’ promise: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

The Seven Last Words

Jesus’ statements from the cross (compiled from all four Gospels):

1. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)

   • Intercession for His executioners

2. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43)

   • Promise to the repentant thief

3. “Woman, behold, your son!… Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27)

   • Provision for Mary, entrusted to John

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)

   • Cry of dereliction, quoting Psalm 22:1—bearing sin’s separation from the Father

5. “I thirst” (John 19:28)

   • Physical suffering, fulfilling Psalm 69:21

6. “It is finished” (John 19:30)

   • Tetelestai in Greek—“paid in full,” the atonement completed

7. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46)

   • Trusting surrender

Supernatural Signs

Darkness: “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour” (Matthew 27:45).

Three hours of darkness at midday—nature mourning, or judgment falling on the Sin-Bearer.

The Temple Veil Torn: “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51).

The veil separating the Holy of Holies (God’s presence) was supernaturally ripped apart—access to God now open through Christ’s sacrifice.

Earthquake and Resurrection: “The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised” (Matthew 27:51-52).

Creation responds to its Creator’s death.

The Centurion’s Confession: “When the centurion… saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, ‘Certainly this man was innocent!’ ” (Luke 23:47). “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54).

Even the pagan executioner recognized Jesus’ innocence and identity.

Death and Burial

Verification: “But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water” (John 19:33-34).

Fulfilling Psalm 34:20 (no bones broken) and Zechariah 12:10 (they will look on him whom they pierced). The blood and water may indicate cardiac rupture or the separation of blood clots and serum.

Burial: “Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus” (Mark 15:43).

Jesus was buried in Joseph’s new tomb, fulfilling Isaiah 53:9: “They made his grave… with a rich man in his death.”

Theological Significance: Why the Cross?

Necessity of the Cross

Jesus’ Own Teaching: “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected… and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Luke 9:22).

The cross was not accident or tragedy but divine necessity—“must” (dei in Greek).

Gethsemane’s Agony: “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

If any other way existed, Jesus would have taken it. But the cup of God’s wrath against sin must be drunk.

Atonement Theories: How the Cross Saves

Substitutionary Atonement (Penal Substitution): Christ took our place, bearing the penalty for sin.

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).

God’s justice demands punishment for sin; God’s love provides a substitute. Christ bears our guilt; we receive His righteousness. This is the dominant Protestant view.

Ransom Theory (Christus Victor): Christ’s death was a ransom payment defeating Satan, sin, and death.

“The Son of Man came… to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (Colossians 2:15).

The cross looks like defeat but is actually victory. Satan thought he won by killing Jesus, but Christ’s death and resurrection defeated the devil, freed captives, and conquered death.

Satisfaction Theory (Anselm): Sin offends God’s honor; satisfaction must be made. Only God can offer sufficient satisfaction, but only humans owe it. Thus God becomes man (Jesus) to offer satisfaction on humanity’s behalf.

Moral Influence (Abelard): The cross demonstrates God’s love, transforming human hearts.

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The cross doesn’t change God’s attitude toward us (He already loved us); it changes our attitude toward God by revealing the depths of divine love.

Recapitulation (Irenaeus): Christ recapitulates (sums up, reenacts) humanity’s story, succeeding where Adam failed. His obedience unto death reverses Adam’s disobedience.

“For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19).

All Agree: Christ’s death was necessary for salvation, though they emphasize different aspects of how it saves.

The Blood

“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).

Blood represents life (Leviticus 17:11). Christ’s blood is:

• Sacrifice: The final, perfect sacrifice fulfilling all Old Testament offerings
• Covenant: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28)
• Cleansing: “The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7)
• Victory: “They have conquered [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11)

The Scandal and the Wisdom

The Scandal: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-23).

Jews: Expected a conquering Messiah, not a crucified criminal. The cross meant curse, failure, shame.

Greeks: Sought philosophical wisdom. A god dying is absurd; gods are impassible, immortal, powerful.

The Wisdom: “But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:24-25).

God’s wisdom inverts human wisdom. Strength through weakness. Victory through defeat. Life through death. Exaltation through humiliation.

Jewish Perspective

The Stumbling Block

For Jews, Jesus’ crucifixion disqualifies Him as Messiah:

Cursed: “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” (Galatians 3:13, quoting Deuteronomy 21:23). How can a cursed man be God’s anointed?

Failed: The Messiah will triumph, not be executed. Jesus died defeated, not victorious.

Scandal: The idea that God would become human and die is incomprehensible in Jewish thought. God is incorporeal, eternal, transcendent.

Christian Response

Paul addresses this directly in Galatians 3:13: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”

Jesus became the curse to free us from it. He bore our curse so we could receive blessing. Isaiah 53 predicts a suffering servant: “He was pierced for our transgressions… by his wounds we are healed.”

The Messiah’s two comings explain the paradox: First coming to suffer (Isaiah 53), second coming to reign (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Islamic Perspective

Denial of the Crucifixion

Islam denies Jesus was crucified:

“And [for] their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself” (Quran 4:157-158).

The Substitution Theory

Islamic tradition holds someone else (possibly Judas, Simon of Cyrene, or one of the disciples) was made to look like Jesus and was crucified in His place. Jesus was taken up to heaven alive.

Why Deny:

• Jesus’ Honor: A great prophet wouldn’t suffer such shameful death
• Allah’s Power: God wouldn’t allow His prophet to be defeated
• No Need: Substitutionary atonement is unnecessary; Allah forgives directly

Jesus’ Return

Though not crucified, Jesus will return before the Day of Judgment in Islamic eschatology to defeat the Antichrist and establish justice.

The Symbol of the Cross

From Shame to Glory

The cross, symbol of Rome’s brutal power, became Christianity’s central symbol:

Early Reluctance: For centuries, early Christians were hesitant to depict the cross due to its association with shame. Early Christian art used symbols like the fish, anchor, or chi-rho.

Constantine’s Vision (312 CE): Before the Battle of Milvian Bridge, Constantine reportedly saw a cross in the sky with the words “In this sign, conquer.” He won the battle, converted to Christianity, and the cross became a symbol of victory.

Crucifix vs. Empty Cross: Catholics and Orthodox often depict Christ on the cross (crucifix), emphasizing His suffering. Many Protestants prefer an empty cross, emphasizing resurrection victory.

The Sign of the Cross

Many Christians make the sign of the cross—touching forehead, chest, and shoulders while saying, “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”—as a prayer, blessing, or reminder of baptism.

Cruciform Living

Paul writes: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

Believers are called to take up their cross (Luke 9:23), to die to self, to embrace suffering for Christ’s sake. The cross becomes a pattern for Christian life—self-sacrifice, suffering love, humility.

Devotional Practices

Good Friday: Annual commemoration of Jesus’ crucifixion, observed with fasting, prayer, meditation on the seven last words.

The Stations of the Cross: Devotional practice (especially Catholic/Orthodox) following Jesus’ journey to Golgotha through 14 stations, meditating at each.

Veneration of the Cross: Liturgical practice of kissing or bowing before a cross, honoring (not worshiping) it as the instrument of salvation.

Hymns:

• “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
• “The Old Rugged Cross”
• “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?”

Significance

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).

The crucifixion is not one Christian doctrine among many but the heart of Christianity. Remove it and the entire structure collapses. Christianity is a religion of redemption, and redemption comes through the cross.

The cross declares:

The Depth of Human Sin: It took God dying to save humanity. Our sin is not superficial but cosmic in its offense, requiring infinite atonement.

The Magnitude of Divine Love: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). God didn’t send another—He came Himself, suffered Himself, died Himself.

The Justice and Mercy of God: Justice demanded payment for sin; mercy provided the payment. At the cross, “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other” (Psalm 85:10).

The Victory Over Evil: What looked like Satan’s greatest triumph—murdering God’s Son—became his ultimate defeat. Death swallowed Life and choked. The devil overplayed his hand. The cross is Christus Victor’s throne.

The Pattern for Discipleship: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). The Christian life is cruciform—shaped by self-giving love, suffering service, humble obedience.

The Hope of Resurrection: The cross is not the end but the path to Easter. Friday’s darkness gives way to Sunday’s dawn. Death is defeated because it was first embraced.

The cross is foolishness to the perishing—how could God die? How could weakness be strength? How could a crucified criminal be worshiped? But to those being saved, the cross is God’s power and wisdom. For at the cross, the impossible occurred: God tasted death, sin was atoned, justice was satisfied, mercy triumphed, Satan was defeated, death was conquered, and the way to eternal life was opened.

The ancient hymn proclaims:

“See from his head, his hands, his feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown?”

The cross stands at the center of history, dividing time (BC/AD), dividing humanity (believers/unbelievers), revealing truth (divine love and human sin), and accomplishing salvation (not what we do for God but what God has done for us).

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

It is finished. The price is paid. The veil is torn. The way is open. All because of the cross.