Where Did Jesus Die? — Page 15
Chapter One—Passages from the Gospels 15 that it would be impossible for Jesus to die on the cross. It was three hours only, not at all enough to cause death. The centurion appointed to execute the order of crucifixion showed great sympathy towards Jesus and, according to Luke, believed in his righteousness. Likewise, the soldiers who broke the legs of the two thieves put on the cross with Jesus did not break Jesus’ legs. Moreover, a person, who had apparently no con- nection whatever with Jesus, hurriedly appeared on the scene. He was a rich man named Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple who remained secret for fear of Jews, as John’s Gospel describes him. This Joseph of Arimathea besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And, contrary to prevailing custom, Pilate allowed him to do so, without making the least query about this new person. Then he and a physician named Nicodemus took the body in their care, all according to plan. They did not bury him with others in a common burial ground but laid him with great care in a new tomb, which Joseph had hewn out of the rock in his own garden. There they could treat him without being noticed by the Jews now busy with their religious ceremonies of the Sabbath day, the Sabbath being a high day. Jesus, after he had recovered, came out of the sepulchre. Thus we see that Pilate successfully carried out his plans to rescue Jesus from death, and fulfilled the purpose of God for which He had shown the aforesaid vision to his wife.