Jesus In India — Page 30
30 J e s u s i n I n d i a Arimathea, an honourable counsellor, who also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead. (Mark 16: 42-44) 12 This shows that suspicion had risen at the very moment of crucifixion as to whether Jesus had actually died, and this suspicion was raised by a person who knew well enough how long it took for a person to die on the cross. Among the testimonies of the Gospels are also the following verses: The Jews, therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day (for that Sabbath day was an high day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was dead already they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (John 19:31-34) These verses clearly show that in order to put an end to the life of a crucified person, it was the practice in those days to keep him on the cross for several days, and then to break his legs, but Jesus’ legs were purposely not broken, and he was taken down alive from the cross, like the two thieves. That was the reason why blood gushed out when his side was pierced, whereas the blood of a dead man is congealed. This shows very clearly that there was some kind of a secret plan. Pilate was a God-fearing and good- 12 This is a misprint in the first edition. The correct reference is Mark 15:42-44) [Translator]