[Warning: The following list is very graphic detail. The evidence of this material found is sourced from Scripture, medical definition and findings of other crucified victims. Please be mindful.]
Crucifixions were very common back in the day. This death penalty was a showcase for all to see, and when Jesus took on death for our sins, it was not a light tap on the wrist. He covered every sin with every drop of His sweat, blood and tears. After digging deep into the Scriptures and studying some doctrine, there were about 10 complications discovered that Jesus more than likely suffered from during His fate.
- Nerve damage/Shortness of breath from being Flogged – Flogging is where one’s arms would be chained up to his head, having his back exposed. Two men on either side of him would hold a flagrum (a whip with a series of leather straps on it). At the end of the straps were hooks made of glass, bone or metal. They would continuously beat the victim’s back and legs with this whip. The flagrum went so deep into some victims’ bodies that ribs flew out. This was done to tenderize the meat of the flesh. Flogging caused nerve damage and shortness of breath since the hooks hit the nerves and muscles. The deep wounds of flogging are similar to that of a gunshot wound. Flogging is also known as scourging.
- Shock – Jesus’ back being whipped with glass, metal and bone was not a typical after-school brawl. It was excruciating. [The word excruciating actually means “to the cross”]
- Loss of large amounts of blood – Usually victims died at being flogged and did not even live to see the cross.
- Body Trauma - Jesus had to carry his cross to Calvary. Remember, His body was already drained from praying and staying up with the disciples. He would have had chest trauma if the cross fell to the ground with Him underneath it (It is traditional belief that He fell three times). The impact of falling would be like that of a car accident where the driver is thrown against the steering wheel.
- Chest Contusion – If He fell on the ground because of the weight of the cross, His chest wall and lungs were likely to be bruised and tender.
- Stressed Muscles – Jesus was fatigued from the night before of furiously praying, so His muscles were likely worn out. Also a fall would cause more strain on them. This would have bruised His heart.
- Aneurysm – Jesus’ arteries would have dilated and caused His vessel walls to become weak from His back pain and breathing trouble from carrying a 125-pound 2×4 on his back.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Being that that Jesus’ heart was likely to be bruised from the chest contusion, it could not have pumped enough blood.
- Asphyxiation – This is suffocation that comes from not having enough blood in the system. Jesus lost a lot of blood just from the flogging.
- Heart attack – Remember when Jesus heart poured out blood and water after He gave up his spirit? His heart sac was filled with water because of the loss of blood and the pressure caused it to stop beating. This caused His heart to stop working properly therefore slowly failing during the crucifixion. In a medical and spiritual sense, Jesus died of a broken heart.
HE DID THIS FOR US!!!
Sources:
Matthew 26: 67 ESV, Matthew 27:26 ESV,
Mark 15:15 ESV, Luke 23:16 KJV, Luke 23:24 NLT,
John 19:1 NLT, John 19:16b-17
Mark Driscoll – Doctrine
Dominique A. Evans is a born again Christian from Lynchburg, VA. He currently resides in Harrisonburg, VA where he receives his degree in Accounting. Dominique is a spiritual author, co-founder online community Follow 4 Bible Study, and it’s online newsletter. He hopes to pursue full time ministry that involves counseling those who are struggling with sexual sin. This all depends on God’s will over Dominique’s life. Mr. Evans would like to give thanks to God, family, and friends for the outstanding support of his baptism, lifestyle change, growth, and book.
To our readers: What is the significance of Jesus’ suffering before being hung to His death? What does it mean to you?