Category: How Did Jesus Really Die

How Did Jesus Really Die?

Note: The following Post is taken from the book by Joseph Lenard entitled Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed—His Birth, Death,  Resurrection, and Ascensions. For an overview and complete chapter listing of this fascinating study, click here.

The four pieces of the puzzle in our study, How Did Jesus Really Die?, have now been placed. I believe I have made a strong case that Jesus was executed by being both crucified and stoned, in accordance with Mosaic Law. Scripture, historical evidence, and religious law all point to this; and this is our conclusion in this case study.

If we accept that Jesus died principally from stoning during the act of crucifixion, we can fully appreciate how truly awful His crucifixion was. History is important; and I believe that the conclusion of this case is consistent with Jewish law and tradition, with Scripture, with the commentary of first century travelers, and – consequently – with history. I understand that this conclusion is at odds with the traditional church view of how Jesus died, and I acknowledge that this conclusion will not sit well with some. But as we have seen in other traditional views – many of which I have addressed in various Posts in this series on the Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed – tradition is often the enemy of truth. In spite of clear and convincing Scriptural and historical evidence, we often find that tradition replaces real truth with half-truths, fanciful stories, and wishful thinking, passed down through the centuries, from one generation to the next. Unfortunately, once tradition has taken hold, it can be very difficult to dislodge.

Continue reading “How Did Jesus Really Die? – Conclusion”

How Did Jesus Really Die?

Note: The following Post is taken from the book by Joseph Lenard entitled Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed—His Birth, Death,  Resurrection, and Ascensions. For an overview and complete chapter listing of this fascinating study, click here.

This is the fourth and final puzzle piece in my case to establish the truth to the question, “How did Jesus Really Die?”

In this Post I will provide further evidence that Jesus was most likely stoned in concert with the crucifixion He endured for the blasphemy charge brought against Him by the Sanhedrin.  The crucifixion and stoning occurred at the same place – the place of stoning – on the Mount of Olives, the site prescribed for Jewish executions.

Since there was a specific location prescribed for Jewish executions, stoning at the place of stoning would have been just as appropriate in Jesus’ day as it was later for Stephen, as recorded in Acts 7:54-60.  According to Dr. Ernest Martin in his book, Secrets of Golgotha, when stoning was prescribed, it took place just below the summit of the Mount of Olives, directly east of the Temple, so that the condemned would be killed in the presence of God, who would witness the execution from the Holy of Holies in the Temple.

Continue reading “How Did Jesus Really Die? – Place of Stoning”

How Did Jesus Really Die?

Note: The following Post is taken from the book by Joseph Lenard entitled Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed—His Birth, Death,  Resurrection, and Ascensions. For an overview and complete chapter listing of this fascinating study, click here.

In this third puzzle piece in the case to establish the true cause of the death of Jesus, we will look at several Scripture passages that have frequently been overlooked by those studying His crucifixion. Key among these Scriptures is Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the Suffering Servant – Isaiah 52:13 to 53:12, particularly Isaiah 52:14. We will also look at Psalm 22, especially Psalm 22:6–7 and 17.

Ask most Christians whether they believe that Jesus either fulfilled or will fulfill all prophecies related to Him in the Old Testament, and you will likely get a fast response: “Yes, of course.” Well, like other Old Testament prophesies, it is my position that the Suffering Servant prophecies were among those that were precisely fulfilled. This makes all the difference in our understanding of how Jesus really died.

Continue reading “How Did Jesus Really Die? – Suffering Servant”

How Did Jesus Really Die?

Note: The following Post is taken from the book by Joseph Lenard entitled Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed—His Birth, Death, Resurrection, and Ascensions. For an overview and complete chapter listing of this fascinating study, click here.

In this second puzzle piece in the case to determine How Did Jesus Really Die?, we will look at how the Jewish and Roman laws in existence at the time of Jesus impacted decisions regarding whether Jesus would be killed, why He would be killed, and how He would be killed.

We know that the Apostle Judas Iscariot was paid off by the Temple authorities to betray Jesus into their hands. Then, on the night before Jesus’ execution, Judas guided a detachment of Temple soldiers and some officials from the Chief Priests and Pharisees to a grove in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. They went to arrest Jesus.

To identify Jesus to the authorities, Judas gave Jesus the now infamous kiss. After a small altercation, during which the Apostle Peter severed an ear from the High Priest’s servant, Malchus (which Jesus immediately restored), Jesus was bound and taken away.

Continue reading “How Did Jesus Really Die? – Jewish vs Roman Law”

How Did Jesus Really Die?

Note: The following Post is taken from the book by Joseph Lenard entitled Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed—His Birth, Death, Resurrection, and Ascensions. For an overview and complete chapter listing of this fascinating study, click here.

This first puzzle piece in our new case study entitled How Did Jesus Really Die? looks at the argument that Jesus actually died as a result of the stoning inflicted upon him by the Jews. Now you might be thinking, “Surely Jesus could not have been stoned to death! The Bible clearly states that He was crucified!”

If this prospect is bothersome to you, you are not alone.  For centuries Christians have rigorously rebuffed every attempt to offer new testimony, put forth new perspectives, or present any evidence which contradicts tradition. Of course Jesus was crucified.  We cannot argue that.  There is too much evidence, both from Scripture and from the historical writings and near-biblical testimony of those closest to the event. But, in truth, there is so much more to be told, so much more that can be added to the historical truths related to the death of Jesus.

Continue reading “How Did Jesus Really Die? – Jewish Stoning”

How Did Jesus Really Die?

Note: The following Post is taken from the book by Joseph Lenard entitled Mysteries of Jesus’ Life Revealed—His Birth, Death,  Resurrection, and Ascensions. For an overview and complete chapter listing of this fascinating study, click here.

This is the first Post in a new case study entitled How Did Jesus Really Die? Now this might seem like a ridiculous question; every Sunday School child is taught that Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross. But things are not always as they seem. As we investigate this topic and consider an immensely intriguing set of historical, religious and political circumstances set amid the tensions of Judeo-Roman Jerusalem in 30 AD, I ask only that you keep an open mind.

As tradition would have it, there is little disagreement among theologians, scholars, and archaeologists that Jesus’ death was caused by crucifixion, on a Roman-style cross, in accordance with Roman law. Nor is there disagreement that prior to crucifixion Jesus was whipped repeatedly – scourged – by Roman soldiers; in fact, in this traditional view, he was beaten so severely that the scourging alone played a significant role in His death.

Continue reading “How Did Jesus Really Die? – Traditional vs Actual Cause”