Scholars: Crucifixion Portrayal Inaccurate

AP News ^ | Feb 19th,2004 | PETER ENAV

[Godzilla]

As the scholar says, the weight of a human body pulling on nails in hands, or in wrists, would, within a very short time, tear through the tendons and muscles, and the body would fall.

Only if you consider the inaccurate depiction of the nails going thru the hand. The greek word for 'hand' includes the wrist where the bones would be able to hold without tearing.

[kemathen7]

In a Bible Study I participated in a number of years ago, I was told that scholars thought he was nailed AND tied since the nails alone wouldn't be adequate.

Regardless - it was painful, awful, and I'm forever grateful what Jesus endured for all of us.

[sharktrager]

From post 11:

The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

John 20:25-27

[GOP_Proud]

What I noticed is that no one quoted here disputes the crucifiction. Does the "how" really matter? All the descriptions seem excruciating to me.

[sinkspur]

There is documented archaeological proof showing the wear on the bones in the wrist that resulted from the nail. How could one tell from bones if the arms were tied? You can't.

If one was tied at the wrists, after hanging for some period of time, vessels could burst, and bones could even break.

Death would come quickly with nails; the Romans designed their form of crucifixion precisely so that death would NOT come quickly.

[Bohemund]

"The dearth of information about Jesus' crucifixion makes it impossible to describe the event in accurate detail..."

So how do they know that Gibson and 2000 years of tradition are wrong?

Besides, watch the trailer: it looks like Jesus is both tied and nailed onto the cross.

[yarddog]

I had thought the same thing about doubting Thomas.

Back in the 70's our Sunday School teacher was a surgeon. He was also president of the local medical society. He once told the class in detail of the medical results of crucifixion. One thing I remember was that he said the accounts in the gospels were medically accurate.

Something I particularly recall was the part where the soldier stabs him with a spear to see if he were dead and fluid came out. He told us what that indicated although I don't remember exactly what now.

[Bombard]

These so called experts don't anymore about this subject than you or I. Much of what went on during the time of the Roman Empire is unknown. Jesus was crucified that is a fact. It could be that he was crucified like these experts are stateing. Then again the Bible is based on what was common for the things that were done in the first century AD when all four books were written. Also not many of the men exicuted in this manor were given proper burials and thus not many remains are available to confirm how the method was done. So take what these experts say with a grain of salt.

[Ann Archy]

Thes ignoramusses are SMARTER than the Bible....at least theyn THINK so. Idiots....no proof Jesus was nailed, huh.....truly an IDIOTIC ANTI-CHRISTIAN statement.

[Walkin Man]

The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."

Gee, I'm so surprised that the "experts" missed this verse. /sarcasm

[missyme]

Just more slander so they can try to convince people that the Gospels are a lie.... it never stops..Gibson knew that too!

[Ann Archy]

Are you Christian or something else?

[wimpycat]

John Dominic Crossan, emeritus professor of religious studies at DePaul University in Chicago...

They forgot to mention, among Crossan's other titles, "Ex-Priest", and "Member of the 'Jesus Seminar'", so you wouldn't find out which side his bread is buttered on.

[Friend of thunder]

The greek word for 'hand' includes the wrist where the bones would be able to hold without tearing.

Interesting, I had heard that there was a question as to whether the hand could support the weight, but had never heard that the Greek word included the wrist. What is the word?

[missyme]

It is just infuriating when these people get top billing on Internet News sites!

[safisoft]

Well the point is that he really did not die anyways

You are correct if you mean He is not still dead - but He did indeed die. Gnosticism did not die in the 2nd Century as it should have for anyone who can read Scripture - are you Gnostic?

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

1 Cor 15:3-4

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Messiah Y'shua my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Messiah and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Messiah, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death...

Phil 3:9-10

[Fedora]

> The dearth of information about Jesus' crucifixion makes it impossible to describe the event in accurate detail, as Mel Gibson attempts to do in his new film, "The Passion of Christ," Bible scholars and anthropologists say.

Well, duh! Yes, when you make a book into a movie you have to add details that aren't in the book so you can see what's going on. The New Testament doesn't tell us exactly how tall Jesus was, either, so I guess these "scholars" should also be complaining because Gibson picked an actor whose height wasn't historically accurate. Maybe they should take Filmmaking 101 before telling Mel Gibson how to make a movie--or perhaps they should take Theology 101 first, as it's evident they haven't even mastered their own discipline yet.

[Smocker]

I suppose asking St. Thomas to put his hands on His wounds wouldn't count as proof?

Unbelievers, deconstructing the truth as usual.

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP

[Clintons a commie]

Thanks. I was just about to point out the resurrection narrative in John's Gospel. These so-called "experts" are a complete joke.