CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

Introduction

• We learn about Jesus' crucifixion in Matthew 26-28
• Jesus was crucified around 30 AD
• Crucifixion was a common penalty for "criminals" in Ancient Rome
• Scholars estimate Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection happened April 14-17 30 AD

CRUCIFIXION BACKGROUND

• Began at the end of the 1st century B.C.
• Official death penalty for non-Romans
• First known crucifixion was by the Persians
• The Romans perfected it.

WHY WAS JESUS ARRESTED AND CRUCIFIED?

• Jesus was arrested by the Jewish Sanhedrin for "blasphemy"
• He was accused of blasphemy for claiming to be God/ the son of God
• The Romans reason for arresting him was that he was seen as a threat to roman power.
• Pilate gave the people the choice to crucify him or another criminal (barabbas) and they chose Jesus.

THE TRIAL Of JESUS

• Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of the disciples, and was taken into Roman Custody.
• He was taken to Pontius Pilate and put on trial.
• The Sanhedrin questions Jesus, in which He replies with short remarks which offend the Pharisees and people of the court.
• Jesus is found guilty by Pilate and begins his punishment the second the trial is over.

BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION

• Palm Sunday: rode through Jerusalem on a donkey with people shouting hosanna
• He was put on trial by the Jews and then by the Romans. Pontius Pilate didn't want to crucify him, but the Jews pressured him into it.
• Jesus was forced to carry his cross to Golgotha

AT THE CROSS

• Jesus' hands and feet were nailed to the cross
• The roman soldiers put a purple robe and a crown of thorns on him.
• Before he died, he said, "it is finished"
• After he died, they stabbed his side and blood and water came out.

DEATH AND RESURRECTION

• Jesus was crucified in about 30 A.D. on a day that we call "Good Friday".
• Jesus was resurrected two days later on a day that we call "Easter".
• When Jesus died that night on the cross the sky went black and the curtain in the temple ripped.
• There was/is serious controversy on the subject of the resurrection: Some say that the Disciples stole the body and some say he resurrected. As Christians we know that Jesus did in fact resurrect. Jesus talks to his Disciples and finally ascends into Heaven, ending His ministry on Earth.

INTERESTING FACTS

• Jesus died faster than most victims of crucifixion.
• He had been beaten worse than most, and his trials had been the night before so he had gotten no sleep. These made him weaker on the cross.
• The apostles andrew and Peter were both crucified.
• Peter was crucified upside down.
• When Jesus died, day became like night

RELATED LATIN WORDS

• Crucifixionis- crucifixion
• Judicium- trial
• Crux- cross

UNRELATED LATED WORDS/PHRASES

• Christi crux est mea lux- The cross of Christ is my light
• Dominica palmarum- Palm Sunday
• caelitus mihi vires- My strength is from heaven
• consummatum est- It is complete/it is finished
• dies dominicus- The Lord's day
• Dei gratia- By the grace of God
• Deo adjuvante non timendum- God helping, nothing should be feared
• Deo favente- With God's favour
• De Profundis- From the depths; out of despair
• Deus nobiscum, quis contra?- God is with us, who can be against us?

CONCLUSION

• Jesus' crucifixion, along with his birth are two of the most important events in Christian history. It is important for everyone to know how Christ sacrificed himself for us and how it historically lines up with a traditional roman punishment gives it historical credibility.

SOURCES

• http://www.thenazareneway.com/holy_week/why_was_jesus_arrested.htm
• http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/controversy/common-misconceptions/the-f...
• http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/onlinediscipleship/easter/a_physician%27s_...
• http://christianity.about.com/od/goodfriday/p/crucifixionhub.htm