The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Facts about the Most Famous Execution in World History
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the most famous execution in all of history. What do we know about Jesus' crucifixion? This article explores the death of Jesus.
Every Good Friday, hundreds of millions of people around the world remember the death of Jesus Christ. What do we know about the crucifixion of Jesus?
Understanding Ancient History
Before any ancient event is studied, a fundamental question must first be asked. How does one study ancient history? European scholar Amy Orr-Ewing rejects any skepticism surrounding the study of history. (You can listen to her presentation here). She argues that history is knowable via a critical analysis of written evidence (including recorded eyewitness testimony), archaeological remains, and inferential or circumstancial evidence.
While ancient history limits the availability of the above resources, it doesn't eliminate them. And there are enough resources for scholars today to piece together the general outline of Jesus' last days.
Was Jesus Real?
Remarkably, there are some who argue that Jesus wasn't crucified. He wasn't crucified, they say, because Jesus never lived at all.This position does not reflect scholarly consensus. In fact, historical scholars, by and large, accept that the first-century figure known as Jesus of Nazareth really lived.
The late English scholar Michael Grant wrote:
[I]f we apply to the New Testament, as we should, the same sort of criteria as we should apply to other ancient writings containing historical material, we can no more reject Jesus' existence than we can reject the existence of a mass of pagan personages whose reality as historical figures is never questioned.
When Did Jesus Live?
The first-century documents which comprise our New Testament contain what many scholars call “creedal statements.” Christian apologist Josh McDowell explains that these passages reflect “early Christian creedal confessions that were formulated and passed on verbally years before they were recorded in the New Testament.”
Scholars have dated these creedal passages to the years 30-50 AD, well within the primary timeline of Jesus and the generation that followed him. According to scholar Gary Habermas, these affirmations “preserve New Testament material, and are our earliest sources for the life of Jesus.” And these creedal passages put Jesus' crucifixion no later than the third decade of the first century.
How Jesus Died
At some point in the latter part of the second decade (20s) or early third decade (30s) of the first century A.D., Jesus' ministry ran afoul of both the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman authorities.
According to the Gospels, the Jewish authorities objected to Jesus' messianic claims and allegedly blasphemous statements. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his clearing away the money changers from the Temple (portrayed in the Synoptic Gospels as being right after his entry) were no doubt particularly provocative to the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin.
As for the Romans, their interests were stability and loyalty. Anyone who represented a challenge to either was considered a danger. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, was personally aware of the volatile nature of the region and the sensibilities of the people. Quite simply, he didn't want any trouble.
At this point, the details of Jesus' trial and crucifixion are highly controversial. One's understanding of these details depends, in large part, upon how one views the Gospels. The mainstream, evangelical Protestant (and Catholic as well) understanding is that Pilate acquiesced to pressure from Jewish authorities (backed by an unruly mob) to execute Jesus.
Many members of the Jewish community today reject this historical interpretation, and blame it for centuries of anti-semitism. Other religious faiths have differing views of Jesus' last days as well - the scope of which is beyond this article.
No matter the details of Jesus' trial and Pilate's decision to execute him, there is strong consensus that Jesus did, in fact, die on a cross.Of course, for Christians, the story doesn't end at Jesus' death. Christ's death on the Cross is only the beginning.
For more information on this subject, check out the following...
In Search of the Historical Jesus by I. Howard Marshall
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
Evidence for Christianity by Josh McDowell
