By A. Abdul Aziz.

 1.   Why crucifixion?

Jews wanted him to be killed through crucifixion, so they can prove that Jesus is not a beloved of God, rather the curse of God is on him. Jews could have killed him easily as they were in hundreds of thousands in number and very strong. If killing should have been their desire, they could have done it easily. Just like they paid thirty pieces of silver to one of his disciples, if they would have paid him more, he might have done this service too. But they wanted him to be crucified so they can prove that he is not from God, rather he is an imposter and a fabricator. If he was from God, then God will definitely save him. May be that was the reason that Jesus was so reluctant to suffer on the cross.

2.   Who wanted him to be crucified?

Two of Jesus’ disciples commented (in Luke 24:20) as follows:

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. (Luke 24:20)

They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the Governor said what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying Let him be crucified…. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (Matt 27: 22-25)

3.   Crucifixion was demanded by the Jews

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. (John 19:6)

The Jews answered him (Pilate), We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. (John 19:7)

4.  One incident and many aspects?

Romans took it as punishment of sedition.

The Jews made it as a punishment of blasphemy.

Jesus considers it a killing, when one of his disciples betrayed him.

Christians think a sacrifice presented for our salvation.

Who is right?

5.  Why Jesus was hiding?

That’s why the Jews paid thirty pieces of silver to Judas giving them the necessary information about Jesus.

…Neither go into town, nor tell it to any in the town.  (Mark 8: 26)

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. ((Mark 8: 30)

6.  Jesus’ prayers and supplications to be saved from crucifixion:

Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.            (John 26: 36)

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.   (John 26: 39)

…. He went away again, and prayed the second time and prayed, saying ……and prayed the third time, saying the same words.   (John 26:42-44)

7.  God always hears his prayers and his prayers were heard

And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I think thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always.       (John 11:41-42)

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.  (Hebrews 5:7)

8.   An Angel was sent to strengthen Jesus?

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  (Luke 22: 43-44)

9.   Pilate delays in judgment

Pilate intentionally delayed in giving his verdict and did not deliver his judgment until and unless he was sure that due to the Sabbath, Jesus would be on the cross for only a few hours. Jesus a thirty-three years young person was on the cross for only few (3-6) hours.

10.  Pilate’s complete favor to Jesus

Pilate was in complete favor of Jesus, considering him innocent, and for his wife’s dream, was trying to save his life. That’s why Pilate wanted to use his special right to free one person, but the Jews did not let him do it.

Pilate said unto them, whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas or Jesus…. But the chief Priests and the elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The Governor answered and said unto them, whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said Barabbas. Matt 27: 17-21)

11.   Pilate’s wife sees a dream to save Jesus

When he sat down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.”  (Matt 27:19)

Why was this dream was against the purpose of the advent of Jesus, to give his life on the cross? Her dream should have been that crucify him immediately. Let him finish his work. But her dream was against it. Although her dream was so special that it was mentioned in the Bible.

12.  Pilate finds him “Not guilty”

… Pilate … he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person. (Matt 27:24)

13.  Earthquake, eclipse & a storm – A sign of God’s disliking & anger

An earthquake, eclipse of Sun and a Storm, all three occurred just after the crucifixion is a clear sign of God’s anger.

Now from sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. (Matt 27:45)

…the earth did quake, and the rocks rent. (Matt 27: 51)

14.   Pilate marveled

And Pilate marveled if he were already dead. (Mark 15: 44)

When Pilate was informed about the death of Jesus on the cross, he marveled at hearing it. We know that Pilate was the most experienced person in this field; who may have experienced hundreds of crucifixions in his time. That is why; he knew very it well that a 33 years, unmarried young person shouldn’t die in few hours, while the other two thieves (elder than him) were still alive after the crucifixion.

15.   The other two (thieves) next to Jesus were still alive so they broke their legs

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. (John 19: 32)

16.   Blood and Water – a great sign of Jesus’ life

When a soldier pierced a spear in Jesus’ side, blood and water gushed out from his body, with full pressure, is a sign and a witness that Jesus’ heart was still pumping and he was alive

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (John 19:34)

Why coming of blood and water is so important that the narrator of the incident specially describes:

And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. (John 19:35)

The person has put all stress on the truth of this witness, because of the great importance of it.

17.  Why the soldiers checked Jesus alive or dead, piercing him a spears. What was the criteria, then to recognize?

The concept that one of the soldiers pierced Jesus a spear to check him, either he is alive or not, does not make any sense until and unless there was really a way of checking this way. Piercing Jesus a spear or some other way? What was that? How did they do it? Because one of the soldiers pierced a spear in Jesus’ body. Not to check his life or death. Otherwise they should have done the same with other two also.

18.  Jesus legs were not broken

But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs: (John 19:33)

19.  Jesus was not buried in the grave

The Jewish custom for the last thousands of years was to bury the deceased in the ground. Because the disciples knew the predictions, which were made earlier by Jesus Christ, they kept Jesus’ body in a sepulcher. If they had buried him in a grave, he would have died. But his disciples placed him in a roomy “Sepulcher?” Rather then burying him in the ground according to the Jewish custom and traditions.

20.   Neither Jews nor Christians are sure about Jesus’ death on the cross

There was a very strong earthquake, a storm and an eclipse of sun just after the crucifixion of Jesus, that made all Jews and Romans run away from the sight. That is why; neither Jews nor the Christians are sure about the death of Jesus on the cross but a gesture.

21.    The stone on the sepulcher was removed

(For a spirit, does not need to remove the stone)

Jesus forbade Mary Magdalene to touch him.

Touch me not. (John 20:17)

Why?

22.  Jesus said, ” He has not ascended yet. What did he really mean?

Jesus said unto her (Mary Magdalene), touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God. (John 20:17)

What are the real meanings of ascension here, when Jesus said to Mary “I am not yet ascended to my Father.”

Certainly, it was understood and very clear without any doubt that Jesus had not ascended yet, while he was standing just in front of her. Then why Jesus said that he was not ascended yet?

23.  Mary did not react, when she saw Jesus alive. Why?

 24.  Disciples were terrified seeing Jesus. (Luke 24: 39)

25.    Jesus ate food, in the presence of his disciples.

… he said unto them, have ye here any meet? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. (Luke 24:41-42)

Jesus saith unto them, come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who are thou? Knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. (John 21: 12-13)

A spirit does not need any food but our physical body, which becomes weak after a while, without having food. Why Jesus needed food, if he had gone back to his original body of God.

For forty days he was meeting his disciples to assure them that he was alive and now going to the lost sheep of house of Israel, as he promised and assigned by God like Jonah was assigned to the Nin-e-viets.

…many infallible proofs being seen of them for forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.  (Acts 1:3)

26.    Jesus never showed himself to the Jews (who challenged him) after he was saved from the accursed death of cross.

 27.   How come Jesus never said “I was dead and now I am alive?”

 28.  Jesus’ prediction about his sign to be very similar to the sign of Jonah

Jesus predicted his sign would be similar to the sign of Jonas.

An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall be no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s bally; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  (Matt 12:39-40)

This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Nin-e-vites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation…for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.         (Luke 11:29-32)

Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the bally of the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah 1:17)

And Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. (Jonah 2:10)

And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it preaching that I bid thee. And Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh.  (Jonah 3:1-3)

Jonas entered into the belly of whale alive- Jesus died on the cross and entered in the heart of the earth dead.

Jonas remained alive in the bally of whale. – Jesus Remained dead.

Jonas came out alive bodily. – Jesus came out in spirit.

Jonas stayed three days and three nights in the bally of whale. – Jesus one day and two nights.

Jonas went back to his people. – Jesus went back to heaven. Without fulfilling the promise which he made earlier, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  (Matt 15:24)

Jesus should have gone to the lost tribe of Israel, as Jonas went to his people “Nin-e-vites”, not to heaven.

29.  Appearance of an Angel, saying, why, you looking for a living person into the dead.

And it come to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seeketh ye the living among the dead.   (Luke 24:4-5)

And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.    (Luke 24:23)

30.  The stone of tomb was removed

It was a physical body not a spiritual one:

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.  (Luke 24: 2)

31.   Jesus’ prayers against his death on the cross

Jesus prayed again and over again, saying, O God, take this cup away from him. Why he prayed against the purpose of his advent?

“And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me….” (Mark 14:36)

If his escape from the death on the cross was not possible then why Jesus was praying for it? Didn’t he know?

32.    Jesus awakening his disciples, requesting for special prayers for his safety

“…saith to his disciples, sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder…. And began to be sorrowful and very heavy…  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and said unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray…” (Matt 26: 36-41)

33.  Jesus’ in flesh and bones after he had risen

Jesus showing his hands and feet to his disciples, proving and arguing them, that he was alive bodily.

“They were terrified and affrighted and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts are in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see for a spirit hath no flesh and bones, as you see me have…. he shewed them his hands and his feet.” (Luke 24:37-40)

34.    Why Jesus needed the body (Flesh) again?

35.   Jesus’ wounds- a great sign of his survival

Jesus through showing his wounds to his disciples was proving that he was alive bodily:

The other disciples therefore said unto him, we have seen the Lord. But he (Thomas) said unto them, except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of his nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe… Then he said to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: be not faithless, but believing. (John 20: 25-27)

A Spirit can’t have the wounds. It means he was alive bodily.

Why Jesus addressed Thomas “not to be faithless but believing? Jesus advised Thomas to have faith, but in which and what? Yes! Faith in the fulfillment of the promise of God saving Jesus from the accursed death on the cross which Jews had designed for him.

Why Jesus had a physical body after he had risen from the dead? Why this physical body still had the signs of wounds? Now there should have been nothing but his soul and spirit? Did he want to take these wounds along with him to the heavens to show them to God? If that is the case, then, we know very well, that these wounds alone did not kill him, but many other things including the cross. If he needed the proofs of his service to be presented to God, then he should have taken all his wounds including, the signs of flogging, beating, hitting, kicking, spitting and the cross (piece of wood) on which he was crucified.

36.   Jesus prayers and God’s response: (Hebrews 5:7)

 37.   Hungry Jesus, asking for food

He ate fish and a honeycomb.

38.    Jesus’ shroud: -“Shroud of Turin” a sign that Jesus was alive.

“And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.” Matt 27:59)

39.    Using 100 pounds of aloes, myrrh and some other spices on Jesus’ body, as the manner of Jews. Whether Jews use 100 pound of myrrh, aloes and some other spices at their burial? Or there were some special arrangements were made for Jesus’ safety. Nicodemus, who was a physician and a disciple of Jesus, made this special arrangement before the crucifixion of Jesus:

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to burry. (John 19:39-40)

40.    Jesus said “I am going to ‘Galilee’ before the disciples.”

 41.   An error made by the Jews: – “….the last error shall be worse than the first.” (Matt 27:64)

 Jews accepted that they had made an error. What kind of error had they made?  Now they were afraid not to make another error. Did they make another error? Yes! They did.

42.   Why Jews bribed the soldiers?

Jews bribed large money) the soldiers who had been assigned to guard the sepulcher.

“And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken council, they gave large money unto the soldiers.”(Matt 28:12)

They bribed the soldiers to hide the fact. What was that?

43.   Empty tomb of Jesus (the sepulcher), is a great Mystery. Jesus body was not found in the sepulcher.

 44.   Jews were afraid of a conspiracy: –

Jews were sure, even ahead of time that his disciples will definitely announce, “Jesus had been ascended to heaven” as it is mentioned:

“…Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, after three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal his him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead.”(Matt 27: 63-64)

45.   Jesus’ crucifixion- a test of Jews

The crucifixion was made criteria for Jesus’ truth.   The Jews at the time of crucifixion said: –      “…save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matt 27:40)

“Let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.”(Matt 27:42)

“He saved others; himself he cannot save.”(Matt 27:42)

46.   Could Jesus save his life? If he is God then perhaps he could.  If he could then it is a suicide.

But, he was constantly pleading to God the Father for the bitter cup to be taken away.

47.   Pilate’s complete favor for Jesus; _Pilate; the Governor tried his best to save Jesus’ life, because of his wife’s dream.

 48.   Jesus never demanded “Crucify me”, but the Jews demanded from the Pilate, “Crucify him- crucify him.”

“Then all say unto him, Let him be crucified.” (Matt 27:22)

49.   Jesus defended his case in the court, argued with the Jews, and refuted their accusations.

Jesus never said, “Hurry up crucify me, for I have come, just for this purpose, although I am already 4000 years late, going by the Biblical calendar and time of Adam and Eve.”

50.   Jesus never went to the cross happily, but in miserable situation.

 51.    Who compelled Jesus to be crucified and why?

 52.   Jesus said: “For salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22) What it means? And why only for the Jews?

 53.  Crucifixion – a killing in the eyes of Jesus.

Why go ye about to kill me? (John 7:19)

But you seek to kill me. (John 8:40)

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.   (Mark 9:31)

54.  Jesus complained to God, why have you forsaken me?

It means, God for his safety made a promised.

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, Lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, My God, why have hast thou forsaken me? (Matt 27:46)

55.  In Jewish law, the “Crucifixion” was an accursed death”-

“…for he that is hanged is accursed of God” (Deut 21: 23)

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for ud: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” (Galatians 3: 13)

56.  Why the disciples of Jesus, when they met him in Galilee, still had  some doubts?    

“…Some doubted” (Matt 28:17)

What kind of doubts and what about?

Did they have doubts about Jesus being alive and saved from the accursed death of cross or some thing else?

57.  Jesus said,   “Even so every good tree bringth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringth forth evil fruit.” (Matt 7:17)

How come that this heinous crime of persecuting him mercilessly brought such a good result?

58.  Making his arrest is a greater sin

“Jesus answered (to Pilate); He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” (John 19:11)

How a greater sin can bring salvation to the world. Sin means, being disobedient to God, breaking His laws and commandments.

“…the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (Matt 26:45)

59.  Jesus accursed Judas for his betrays.

Jesus said, “…but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born.” (Matt 26:24)

But, it was Judas who made the salvation possible. If he had not been born, there would not have been any salvation for us.

Jesus said, “It had been good … if he had not been born.”

Why the contradiction?

60.  Who can kill God? God is Holy.

Nobody can kill God. God is eternal and immortal, free from the suffering of death. He is always alive. He is out of the approach of the human hands. Sinners’ hands cannot reach Him or harm Him.

If Jesus died for three days and three nights, then he is no longer eternal and hence not co-equal to God the Father.

61.  Why Jesus (if he was a God) let the Jews and Romans disgrace Him and do all kind of insulting and persecution? 

What “The Most High” means and “God is Great.” God is not supposed to be humble and show not only humility, but actually disgrace at the hands of His enemies.

62.  Jesus never mentioned that the purpose of his coming was to give his life on the cross.

 63.  Salvation through keeping the commandments of God:

Jesus never mentioned that people’s salvation is in believing Jesus’ death on the cross. Rather he promised that the heaven’s eternal life is in following and obeying the commandments of God. As it is in the Book of Matthew:

And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matt 19:16-17)

64.  If salvation through crucifixion, then the credit goes to Jews, Romans & Judas

They are the Jews who demanded from the Roman Governor Pilate to put him on the cross. And Judas betrayed Jesus and made his arrest possible; otherwise Jesus was hiding in the garden of Gethsemane. Chief Priests paid thirty pieces of silver to Judas for informing the authorities for his arrest.

65.   A soldier saw Jesus walking, informs the chief priest

“The watch” who saw (Jesus and his disciples meeting and going) all these things, told the Chief Priest in the city.

Now when they were going (Jesus and his disciples), behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. (Matt 28: 11)

 

Suggested Reads:

Jesus in India | Slides

Christianity: A Journey From Facts to Fiction

Truth About The Crucifixion

 

Source: The Muslim Times – U.S.A.