The Final Hours in the Life of Jesus

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you:  that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;  and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, Take, eat;  this is My body which is broken for you;  do this in remembrance of Me.

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood.  This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (1Corinthians 11:23-26, NKJV unless otherwise stated).

During the Passover service we proclaim the death of Jesus. If we are going to be proclaiming His death, it's important that we know something about that death. In this article we will examine the final hours of Jesus Christ, His suffering and death.
History of Crucifixion
We know that in those final hours of His life Jesus was crucified. But what exactly is a crucifixion?
The first known practice of crucifixion was by the Persians. Alexander the Great and his generals introduced the practice to the Phoenicians, Egyptians and Carthaginians. The Romans learned the practice from the Carthaginians and quickly became very efficient and skillful at it. Over time the Romans made several innovations and modifications in the method of crucifixion. ¹
Roman citizens were rarely crucified. Crucifixion was reserved for slaves, the lower classes and the worst types of criminals. The Christian tradition that says Peter was crucified, and Paul beheaded, agrees with the historical Roman practice of crucifixion.²
Types of Crosses
When we think of the word cross, what usually comes to mind is an upright beam projecting above a shorter cross piece ³. This is the form of the cross which traditional Christian art depicts Jesus dying upon. In fact, the Romans used five different types of crosses for crucifying people. It is unknown which type of the cross Jesus was crucified on.
The Greek word for "cross" is stauros, and the Latin word is crux. The word primarily means "an upright stake or beam, and secondarily a stake used as an instrument for punishment and execution."⁴
The five different forms of the cross are:

• Crux Simplex - A single vertical stake on which the victim wasted or nailed. ⁵
• Crux Commissa - (St. Anthony's cross) in the form of a capital T. ⁶
• Crux Decussata - (St. Andrew's cross) in the form of the letter X.⁷
• Crux Immissa - (Latin Cross) the traditional two beams t. ⁸
• Greek Cross - upright and length wise beams of the same length +. ⁹

The Procedure for a Crucifixion
Scourging
"After a criminal's condemnation, it was the custom for a victim to be scourged with the flagellum, a whip with leather throngs." ¹⁰ This wipe usually had pieces of metal and bone attached to it, thus inflecting even more pain and damage on the body. It was the normal procedure of the Romans to flog the victim until his blood began to flow.¹¹ "Roman scourging was so severe that victims often died under it. For one charged as Jesus was, with sedition, it would have been merciless." ¹²
Crucifixion
The Romans designed the act of crucifixion to slowly execute a person through torture while humiliating him. The Romans used crucifixion as a punishment and a warning to other potential lawbreakers.¹³
After scourging, the condemned person had to carry his stake, or the crossbeam along public roads to the place of execution; this was usually in a public area.¹⁴
The following quotation from The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia describes the final process of a crucifixion:

"As the next step in the process [after scourging] the victim carried his own crossbeam (if this form of cross was used) to the place of execution, where the upright stake had already been erected. Then on the ground he was fastened to the beam with arms outspread, usually by ropes, less commonly by nails…. The beam and body were then lifted into place on the upright. A small wooden block (sedicula) or a wooden peg positioned midway on the upright supported the body weight from tearing open the wounds. Once the condemned was thus immobilized he was left alone, unable to attend to bodily functions, unprotected from inclement weather or flies, and, because the place of execution was usually some public street or prominent place, subjected to abusive words and mockery from passersby. Often the body was left to putrefy on the cross and become the prey of carrion birds to complete the utter humiliation. . . . It was not unusual for a tablet identifying the crime to be hung on the condemned as he went to execution site, then attached to his cross for all to see." ¹⁵

Another source says that this small sign

"was usually placed on a staff, carried at the front of the procession from the prison, and later nailed to the cross so that it extended above the head. This sign with its staff nailed to the top of the cross would have given it somewhat the characteristic form of the Latin cross." ¹⁶

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia article continues:

"The suffering of death by crucifixion was intense. In addition to exposure to the weather and insects (and sometimes animals), the body suffered from the intensifying damage of the wounds and from the stretching caused by the strained position. Some think that headache and convulsions added to the agony. The ultimate cause of death has been debated; generally it is considered the result of gradual suffocation brought about by fatigue. The length of this agony was wholly determined by the constitution of the victim and the extent of the prior flogging, but death was rarely seen before thirty-six hours had passed. . . . Death was sometimes hastened by breaking the legs of the victims. . ." ¹⁷

Jehohanan
In 1968 archaeologists found evidence of a first century Judean crucifixion. Near Jerusalem they discovered the remains of a crucified young man named Jehohanan.
The Illustrated Bible Dictionary pages 342-344, describe this archaeological find:

"The method of crucifixion seems to have varied in different parts of the Roman Empire. Secular writers of the time shrink from giving detailed accounts of this most cruel and degrading of all forms of punishment. But new light has been thrown on this subject by archaeological work in Judea. In the summer of 1968 a team of archaeologists under V. Tzaferis discovered four Jewish tombs at Giv'at ha-Mivtar (Ras el-Masaref), Ammunition Hill, near Jerusalem, where there was an ossuary containing the only extant bones of a (young) crucified man, dating from probably between A.D. 7 and A.D. 66, judging from Herodian pottery found there. The name Jehohanan is inscribed. Thorough research has been made into the causes and nature of his death and may throw considerable light on our Lord's form of death."

The young man's arms (not his hands) were nailed to the patibulum, the crossbeam, which might indicate that Luke 24:39; John 20:20, 25, 27 should be translated "arms". The weight of the body was probably borne by a plank (sedecula) nailed to the simplex, the upright beam, as a support for the buttocks. The legs had been bent at the knees and twisted back so that the calves were parallel to the patibulum or crossbar, with the ankles under the buttocks. One iron nail (still in situ) had been driven through both his heels together, with his right foot above the left. A fragment shows that the cross was of olive wood. His legs had both been broken, presumable by a forcible blow, like those of Jesus' two companions in John 19:32.
If Jesus died in similar fashion, then his legs were not fully extended as in traditional Christian art. His contorted leg muscles would then have probably caused sever pain with spasmodic contractions and rigid cramps. This could have contributed to the shortened time of his death in 6 hours, hastened doubtless by the earlier scourging. ¹⁸
James H. Charlesworth in his book Jesus within Judaism, writes about the discovery of Jehohanan, and what it can teach us about the crucifixion of Jesus:

"The significance of this discovery [the remains of Jehohanan] for Jesus Research is obvious, even though we cannot conclude that Jesus was crucified in an identical manner. Three insights are important. First, we have a grim reminder of the horrors of crucifixion. There is wide agreement today that death would have resulted from a slow, excruciating process of asphyxiation. In order to breathe, the victim would have to push up with the legs in order to free the lungs from the weight on the chest from the upper torso. Jehohanan's body on the cross was probably not upright; it had apparently been pushed up and twisted. It so, then the resulting muscle spasms would have caused unbearable pain. Second, if Jehohanan's legs had been broken to prevent him from raising up to breathe, then death would have come swiftly to him and not after prolonged daily torture as was the case with Spartacus' followers and Josephus' friends." ¹⁹

The Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ
We will now review the final hours of Jesus' life, starting with the conclusion of His last Passover and ending with His burial. Scriptural quotations are used to describe the flow of events. Intermixed with these Bible verses, are quotations from the article A Physician Testifies About the Crucifixion by Dr. C. Truman Davis.²⁰ In his article, Dr. Davis describes what Jesus physically experienced during these final hours.
The Passover service ends with a final hymn. Jesus and his disciples depart for the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.
Time: Tuesday night 9:00 pm²¹
"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat; this is My body. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for there mission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. . . . Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, Sit here while I go and pray over there"(Matthew 26:26-30, 36).
Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Time: Tuesday night 9:30 pm - 12:30 am
"Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, Sit here while I go and pray over there. And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me. He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done. And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words" (Matthew 26:36-44).
"Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, Pray that you may not enter into temptation. And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation" (Luke 22:39-46).
Dr. Davis' comments:

"But, of course, the physical passion of the Christ began in Gethsemane. Of the many aspects of this initial suffering, the one of greatest physiological interest is the bloody sweat. It is interesting that St. Luke, the physician, is the only one to mention this. He says, 'And being in Agony, He prayed the longer. And His sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground.' "Every ruse (trick) imaginable has been used by modern scholars to explain away this description, apparently under the mistaken impression that this just doesn't happen. A great deal of effort could have been saved had the doubters consulted the medical literature. Though very rare, the phenomenon of Hematidrosis, or bloody sweat, is well documented. Under great emotional stress of the kind our Lord suffered, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can break, thus mixing blood with sweat. This process might well have produced marked weakness and possible shock."

The betrayal and arrest of Jesus.
Time: Wednesday morning 12:30 am
"And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, Permit even this. And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness" (Luke 22:47-53).
"When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, Whom are you seeking? They answered Him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am He. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, I am He, they drew back and fell to the ground. Then He asked them again, Whom are you seeking? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way, that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none. Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cutoff his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me? Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him" (John 18:1-12).
The disciples desert Jesus.
"In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled" (Matthew 26:55-56).
"Then they all forsook Him and fled. Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked" (Mark 14:50-52).
After his arrest, they first take Jesus to the house of Annas, a former High Priest.
Time: Wednesday morning 1:00 am
"And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, You are not also one of this Man's disciples, are you? He said, I am not. Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself. The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said. And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Do You answer the high priest like that? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me? Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest" (John 18:13-24).
They take Jesus to Caiaphas.
Time: Wednesday morning 2:00 am
"And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest's courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose and said to Him, Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You? But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God! Jesus said to him, It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think? They answered and said, He is deserving of death" (Matthew 26:57-66).
The beating of Jesus.
"Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?" (Matthew 26:67-68)
"Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, Prophesy! And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands" (Mark 14:65).
"Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You? And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him" (Luke 22:63-65).
Dr. Davis' comments:

"After the arrest in the middle of the night, Jesus was next brought before the Sanhedrin and Caiphus, the High Priest; it is here that the first physical trauma was inflicted. A soldier struck Jesus across the face for remaining silent when questioned by Caiphus. The palace guards then blind-folded Him and mockingly taunted Him to identify them as they each passed by, spat upon Him, and struck Him in the face."