The Tomb of Jesus — Page 12
12 the death which followed resulted from the processes of bodily exhaustion and irritation; and these were so slow, that in no case, where the person crucified was in ordinary health and vigor, did they terminate within twelve hours. Almost invariably he survived the first twenty-four hours, lived generally over the second, occasionally even into the fifth or sixth day. The ancient testimonies to this fact are quite explicit, nor are modern ones wanting, although there are but few parts of the world now where crucifixion is practised. I was told, says Captain Clapperton, speaking of the capital punishments inflicted in Soudan, a district of Africa, that wretches on the cross generally linger three days before death puts an end to their sufferings. ' 11 "A fact of importance to be known, but which has not been sufficiently regarded, is that crucifixion was a very lingering punishment, and proved fatal not so much by loss of blood, since the wounds in the hands and feet did not lacerate any large vessel, and were nearly closed by the nails which produced them, as by the slow process of nervous irritation and exhaustion. This would of course be liable to variety, depending on differences of age, sex, constitution, and other 11 Hanna, The Life of Christ, vol. III, p. 328, 329.