Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 235
? 228 put to the Cross at 3:30, it would make a total period of 3½ hours. But since it became dark all over, owing to a severe storm, he was taken down soon, for fear of the Sabbath day setting in. Even if it made a difference of half an hour or three quarters of an hour, it could be reasonably said that the Messiah remained on the Cross for 2½ to 3 hours. As a matter of fact, people retained life even when hung up on the Cross for as long as seven days and would die either on account of hunger and thirst or sepsis of the wounds. Again, it was a rule to break the bones of those who were taken down the Cross alive. But while the centurions on guard broke the bones of the malefactors, they did not break the bones of the Messiah. Infact, crucifixion literally means breaking the bones and extracting the marrow. This description was applied because people generally would not give up ghost on the Cross and their bones had to be broken and their marrow taken out. The bones of the Messiah (peace be on him) were not broken (St. Joh, 19:33). MESSIAH LIVED ON THE CROSS Another proof of the Messiah being yet alive when he was taken down the Cross, is the reference in the New Testament that when the Messiah was taken down "one