COPYRIGHT WARNING
During the course of crucifixion, on rare occasions, it was necessary to break the shin bones of the condemned person hanging on the cross—in order to hasten his death. For the crucified, breathing was a nearly impossible task, accomplished only by pressing down with both feet, onto the wooden platform that was secured to the cross. By attempting to stand and relieve the pressure exerted on the lungs—due to the outstretched arms that were nailed to the upper cross member, the nail that was driven through the flesh and bones of both feet, would cause the tissue to be torn and bleed profusely. The act of raising the body up to accomplish a breath was further complicated by the raw tissue of the back, which had been torn to ribbons during scourging. Upon every breath of air, as the back would slide up the splintered wood of the cross, excruciating pain would shoot through the body.
The pain that was necessary to complete the simple process of breathing became a continuing self torture. The condemned would have to choose between the intense pain of raising himself up to breath, or dying from a lack of oxygen.
When a crucifixion took place on the day before the Sabbath or a special feast day, Jewish law required that the body of the condemned must not be left hanging on cross (tree) overnight.
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day…”
When the Roman soldiers came to break the legs of Jesus in order to hasten His death, they found that He was already dead. These men unknowingly became instruments in fulfilling the three prophecies of the Old Testament which specifically state that the bones of the Passover Lamb could not be broken.
It seems that this specific aspect of the Messiah’s death is of particular importance to the Lord, as it is reported in three different prophecies. Upon examination of the circumstances surrounding this event, we can see why. Continue reading “A Prophecy Impossible to Fulfill” →
