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To: Dr. Crane [eaglechristianchurch.com]

Subject: Did Jesus Really Die on the Cross?

---Original Message---

Isn’t it possible that Jesus didn’t really die on the cross? Could Jesus have been in a coma and simply resuscitated?

Reply:

Many have certainly made this claim. The Koran, for example, claims that Jesus only pretended to be dead (Surah IV:157). Others have claimed that Jesus was drugged, but revived in the tomb. Still others have suggested (as you have) that Jesus was simply in a coma.

This question is of utmost importance, because if Jesus did not die, there is no significance in a resurrection—it is no miracle for a live man to walk out of a tomb. In order for one to speculate that Jesus “swooned,” critics must overcome the preponderance of evidence. Let me give you ten facts as we know them.

1. There is no evidence to suggest that Jesus was drugged. He turned down the common painkiller that was usually given to crucifixion victims (Mark 15:23).

2. The loss of blood makes death highly probable and survival highly improbable (in the garden, from the beatings, the crown of thorns, the nails, the spear).

3. Jesus was beaten and whipped repeatedly by the cat of nine tails (a whip with pieces of bone, rock and pottery). This type of scourging was often called the “half-death” by Roman soldiers because half of those beaten died from this alone.

4. Jesus suffered five other major wounds: a crown of thorns, three 5–7 inch nails used to secure his hands and feet to the cross, and a spear in his side.

5. The thrust of the spear through the rib cage, pierced Jesus’ right lung, the sack around the heart, and the heart itself. This insured that Jesus was dead.

6. The professional executioners did not break Jesus’ legs because there was no doubt in their minds about his demise.

7. Jesus was embalmed in nearly 100 pounds of spices. This alone would have killed him. Jesus was then wrapped in bandages from which he could not have escaped.

8. Many hours (parts of three days) were spent in a cold, dark tomb. This would likely have sent Jesus into hypothermia—even if he had somehow survived the events to this point.

9. Pilate asked for assurance that Jesus was really dead.

10. If Jesus merely appeared to witnesses after having been resuscitated, his appearance would not have convinced the world that he was indeed a resurrected Savior.

Add to this list the fact that Jesus himself testified that he was risen from the dead. Are we to conclude that he was lying? All these facts point to the logical and insurmountable conclusion that Jesus truly died for our sins.