The Tomb of Jesus — Page 14
14 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. ,,14. And horrible to relate, the crucified often lived for many hours,- nay even for two days in their torture. 15. On the same page the author places doubt in the minds of the soldiers about Jesus' death. "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. "16 "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 14 Strauss, Life of Jesus, p. 750. 15 F. W. Farrar, The Life of Christ, vol. 2, p. 423. 16. F. W. Farrar, The Life of Christ, vol. 2, pp 423, 424.