by Janet Horwith

Created on: April 30, 2009

It is entirely possible that Jesus did actually survive his crucifixion that passover evening.

A favored Roman practice of execution, crucifixion was dictated by very strict procedure. Following a good beating or flogging by Roman soldiers. One would be laid out on the ground and a wooden beam would be affixed to the outstretched arms, across the shoulders and the back of the neck. The beam was usually held in place by a goat-leather rope. Occasionally, however, nails would be used to firmly secure the criminal to the beam. But nails were very expensive and not used as often as readily available goat-leather.

After being secured to the bean, a Roman solider would have you pull yourself up on your feet. If this proved too much for you, he would nudge you along with a crack of the whip or a kick on the backside, just so you know he meant business. Once standing, it was now time to make your way, step-by-step to the crucifixion area.
With a flogging, leather ropes affixing you firmly to a heavy beam, walking bare-foot in 100 degree weather and lets not forget the loss of blood, you would be exhausted, thirsty and sore. But now comes the raising of the beam you're hanging from to a pole. We do not know how high these poles were, they could have been only six or so feet up off the ground. It would be a brutal, exquisite pain to suffer. If the Roman soldiers left you to hang there by your hands, the pressure to one's lungs would cause the lungs to collapse or breathing would cease altogether, and welcoming death would follow. However, if the architects of pain and torture strung your ankles to the cross, you had a chance of survival. By pressing down on one's feet, you could relieve some of the pressure on the chest and lungs, not only prolonging your suffering, but your odds, too. But, a healthy young man in good shape could withstand and survive the punishment.

Having had come this far in the process of crucifixion, Jesus would more than likely have passed out at this point. Hanging limply on the cross, he would indeed appear to be dead. And the timing could not have been more in his favor it he had planned it to be. Let us not forget that it is the Passover, and no self-respecting Jew would be caught actually doing anything after sunset. A Roman law of the day cited that no one crucified could be buried by his family. And guards always stood sentry to make sure that family members did not make off with the body.

The Sanhedrin, a Council of Elders ruling the Judaic

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