Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 137
nailed to the cross should be broken is proof that they did not consider that the time spent by them upon the cross had been long enough to induce death. When Pilate was told that Jesus had died he was surprised as is written: And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. (Mark, 15:44, 45) John Fleetwood has written: Pilate was at first surprised at the request of Joseph; thinking it highly improbable that he should be dead in such a short time. (People's Life of Jesus, by John Fleetwood, D. D. page 333) 5a. Crucified felon was left on the cross and was not delivered to his kins folk. Mr. Haim Cohen has written: The Roman law was that a convict after execution, might not be buried. We have seen that the crucified, in particular, were left on the cross until beasts and birds of prey devoured them. Guards were mounted on duty to prevent kinsfolk or friends from taking down a corpse and burying it; unauthorised burial of a crucified convict was a criminal offence. The Emperor or his officers, might, exceptionally, grant kins folk or friends authorisation to bury the convict and what in Rome was the imperial prerogative was in provinces the right of the Governor. (The Trial and Death of Jesus, by Haim Cohen; page 238) In the case of Jesus it is patent that the Jews were eager to destroy 129