Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 132
and finally threatened him that they would complain against him to Caesar. He then handed Jesus over ostensibly to the Jews that they might crucify him. and yet had recourse to secret plans for his delivery from death. (a) The day appointed for the trial of Jesus was the day of preparation of the Passover as is written: When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gab'batha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. (John, 19:13-14) (b) The day appointed for the crucifixion of Jesus was Friday which would be followed at sunset by the Sabbath, so that Jesus would not be left upon the cross for more than a few hours. (c) The centurion whose duty it was to supervise the due carrying out of the crucifixion believed in the truth of Jesus, as is written: And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus breathed his last, he said: Truly this man was the son of God. (Mark, 15: 39) (d) Jesus spent only a few hours upon the cross, which period was not sufficient to bring about the death of a healthy young man. This was confirmed by the sudden outpouring of blood and water from his side when he was pricked with a spear. Pilate himself wondered whether the death of Jesus had occurred so speedily. Then the legs of Jesus were not broken as was customary, while the legs of the two thieves who were crucified along with him were broken. (e) Though Pilate was not convinced that Jesus had died, he directed that his body be made over to Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, as is written: When it was evening, there came a rich man from 124