ON
THE PHYSICAL DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST
William D. Edwards, MD; Wesley J.
Gabel, MDiv; Floyd E Hosmer, MS, AMI
Jesus of
Nazareth underwent Jewish and Roman trials, was flogged,
and was sentenced to death by crucifixion. The scourging
produced deep stripelike lacerations and appreciable
blood loss, and it probably set the stage for hypovolemic
shock, as evidenced by the fact that Jesus was too
weakened to carry the crossbar (patibulum) to Golgotha.
At the site of crucifixion, his wrists were nailed to the
patibulum and, after the patibulum was lifted onto the
upright post (stipes), his feet were nailed to the
stipes. The major pathophysiologic effect of crucifixion
was an interference with normal respirations. Accordingly
death resulted primarily from hypovolemic shock and
exhaustion asphyxia. Jesus' death was ensured by the
thrust of a soldier's spear into his side. Modern medical
interpretation of the historical evidence indicate that
Jesus was dead when taken down from the cross. (JAMA 1986;255:1455-1463)
The life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth have
formed the basis for a major world religion
(Christianity), have appreciably influenced the course of
human history, and, by virtue of a compassionate attitude
towards the sick, also have contributed to the
development of modern medicine. The eminence of Jesus as
a historical figure and the suffering and controversy
associated with his death have stimulated us to
investigate, in an interdisciplinary manner, the
circumstances surrounding his crucifixion. Accordingly,
it is our intent to present not a theological treatise
but rather a medically and historically accurate account
of the physical death of the one called Jesus Christ.
SOURCES
The source material concerning Christ's death
comprises a body of literature and not a physical body or
its skeletal remains. Accordingly, the credibility of any
discussion of Jesus' death will be determined primarily
by the credibility of one's sources. For this review, the
source material includes the writings of ancient
Christian and non-Christian authors, the writings of
modern authors, and the Shroud of Turin. (1-40) Using the
legal-historical method of scientific investigation, (27)
scholars have established the reliability and accuracy of
the ancient manuscripts. (26,27,29,31)
The most extensive and detailed descriptions of the
life and death of Jesus are to be found in the New
Testament gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. (1)
The other 23 books of the New Testament support but do
not expand on the details recorded in the gospels.
Contemporary Christian, Jewish, and Roman authors provide
additional insight concerning the first-century Jewish
and Roman legal systems and the details of scourging and
crucifixion. (5) Seneca, Livy, Plutarch, and others refer to
crucifixion practices in their works. (8,28)
Specifically, Jesus (or his crucifixion) is mentioned by
the Roman historians Cornelius Tacitus, Pliny the
Younger, and Suetonius, by non-Roman historians Thallus
and Phlegon, by the satirist Lucian of Samosata, by the
Jewish Talmud, and by the Jewish historian Flavius
Josephus, although the authenticity of portions of the
latter is problematic. (26) The Shroud of Turin is
considered by many to represent the actual burial cloth
of Jesus, (22) and several publications concerning the
medical aspects of his death draw conclusions from this
assumption. (5,11) The Shroud of Turin and recent
archaeological findings provide valuable information
concerning Roman crucifixion practices. (22-24) The
interpretations of modern writers, based on a knowledge
of science and medicine not available in the first
century, may offer additional insight concerning the
possible mechanisms of Jesus' death. (2,17) When taken in
concert, certain facts – the extensive and early
testimony of both Christian proponents and opponents, and
their universal acceptance of Jesus as a true historical
figure; the ethic of the Gospel writers, and the
shortness of the time interval between the events and the
extant manuscripts; and the confirmation of the Gospel
accounts by historians and archaeological findings
(26,27) – ensure a reliable testimony from which a
modern medical interpretation of Jesus' death may be
made.
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