Deliverance from the Cross — Page 58
'Rationalism has principally its adhesion to the former opinion. The short time that Jesus hung on the cross, together with the otherwise ascertained tardiness of death by crucifixion, and the uncertain nature and effects of the wound from the spear, appeared to render the reality of death doubtful'. 6 And yet, as he might be in a syncope as instances had been known in which men apparently dead had been taken down from the cross and resuscitated - and as the lives of the soldiers would have had to answer for any irregularity, one of the soldiers drove the broad head of his hesta into his side'. 7 'It is evident, in fact, that doubts arose as to the reality of the death of Jesus. A few hours of suspension on the cross appeared to those accustomed to see crucifixions entirely insufficient to bring about such a result. They cited many instances of persons crucified, who had been removed in time and brought to life again by energetic treatment. Origen, later on, thought it needful to invoke a miracle in order to explain so sudden an end. The same surprise is discovered in the narrative of Mark. Pilate was astonished that Jesus was so soon dead'. 8 'The ordinary sufferings incidental to crucifixion have been minutely analysed by Richter, the Batholines, Gruners, etc. , and are often injudiciously exaggerated, 6 Straus, Frederick, Life of Jesus, p. 750. 7 F. W. Farrar, The Life of Christ, Vol. 2, pp. 423-424. 8 Renan, Ernest, The Life of Jesus, p. 371. 58