Crucifixion was death by exhaustion, shock, asphyxiation or suffocation. During crucifixion, the stress on the muscles in the diaphragm put the chest into the inhaled position. In order to exhale, the crucified person had to push up on his feet so that tension in his chest would be relieved for just a moment. But every time he pushed up, the nail would tear through the feet creating the terrible sensation of pain. This went on + on until complete exhaustion took over + the person wasn’t able to push up any longer to get another breath + then began to asphyxiate.
One of the strongest instincts we have is the instinct to breathe. A crucified victim couldn’t simply “turn off” that instinct. History indicates that some victims survived as long as nine days. That’s why the guards were sent to check the bodies of the victims.
Anne-Graham Lotz, the daughter of Billy Graham, described Jesus’ crucifixion as follows:
“Every movement must have added to His torture, reopening the wounds in His back, tearing at the flesh around the bones in His wrists + ankles + inflicting even greater pain. But the only way to remain alive was to push up, breathe, then release; push up, breathe, release; push up, breathe, release. Crucifixion was actually a very slow death by suffocation.”[1] —Anne-Graham Lotz
In an extensive article, Dr. Truman Davis, an ophthalmologist, described death by crucifixion like this:
“As the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed + the intercoastal muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath.
Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs + in the bloodstream + the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, He is able to push Himself upward to exhale + bring in the life-giving oxygen.
Hours of this limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up + down against the rough timber; then another agony begins. A deep crushing pain in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum + begins to compress the heart.
It is now almost over . . . the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues. The tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air.”[2] —Dr. Truman Davis
As carbon dioxide began to build in His bloodstream, Jesus’ heartbeat probably became irregular alerting Him to the fact of His approaching death. Then, after approximately six hours on the cross, at 3 p.m. Jesus died.
There are at least three possible causes for Jesus’ death:
1. Hypovolemic shock
2. Exhaustion asphyxia
3. A ruptured or “broken” heart
“I am poured out like water + all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.” —Psalm 22:14 NIV
Because Passover was quickly approaching, the religious leaders asked Pilate to break the legs of all three criminals so that they could be buried before Passover + Sabbath. For some reason, Pilate complied with their request. The soldiers broke the legs of the first two criminals, but when they came to Jesus, He was already dead.
By custom, one of the guards pierced Jesus’ body with a spear. Ordinarily, this was a fatal wound to the heart through the right side of the chest taught to most Roman soldiers. In this case, it fulfilled prophecy + verified the fact that Jesus was already dead (See Psalm 34:20 + Zechariah 12:10).
So the soldiers came + broke the legs of the first man crucified with Jesus + then the other. When they got to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. One of the soldiers stabbed him in the side with his spear. Blood + water gushed out. —John 19:32-34 MSG
Dr. Truman Davis writes that John 19:34 is proof of Jesus’ cause of death. He writes that the “blood + water [that] gushed out” was:
“ . . . an escape of watery fluid from the sac surrounding the heart. We, therefore, have rather conclusive post-mortem evidence that [Christ] died, not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure due to shock + constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium.” [4] —Dr. Truman Davis
You could actually say Jesus died of a broken heart! A heart that was broken for me, for you + for the entire world.
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.
—”How Deep The Father’s Love,” Stuart Townend
Because of the physical pain + exhaustion involved in crucifixion, Jesus spoke very little while hanging on the cross + even that must have been with incredible difficulty. Scripture records only seven brief sayings that Jesus spoke from the cross. But each statement was packed with meaning, filled with grace + demonstrated His control + sovereignty over everything that was going on.
Jesus’ seven statements from the cross were as follows:
Saying #1
While they were nailing Jesus to the cross, he prayed over + over, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” —Luke 23:34 TPT (Isaiah 53:12)
The footnote in The Passion Translation reads, “The Greek text implies a repetitive action . . . As the centurion crushed him to the ground + tied his arms to the crossbeam, Jesus prayed, ‘Father, forgive them.’ When the spikes tore through each quivering wrist, he prayed again, ‘Father, forgive them.’ + when the soldiers parted his garments + gambled for the seamless robe, again Jesus prayed, ‘Father, forgive them.’ Only heaven knows how many times that prayer was spoken.”[5]
Saying #2
At some point during the time Jesus hung on the cross, one of the criminals crucified with Him stopped mocking Him, interrupted the mocking of the other criminal + said, “Don’t you fear God even when you’ve been sentenced to die? We deserve this, but not Him . . . He did nothing to deserve this” (Luke 23:40-41 MSG).
Somehow, this criminal had the clarity to throw up a desperate prayer. Hanging naked before God + everyone gathered. Feeling the weight of eternity + his misspent life. Utterly desperate for grace, this man cried out, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom” (Luke 23:42).
Jesus didn’t hesitate. He spoke His second recorded saying from the cross. It was a promise of salvation + hope to a dying criminal.
Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” —Luke 23:43 NLT
This is a reminder to every person who has ever questioned the limits of grace or the extent God will go to in order to reach you. Jesus was still extending grace + love in the final moments of His life.
He’s doing the same right now!
Saying #3
In the last moments of His life, Jesus provided care for His mother.
When Jesus saw his mother there + the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 + to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. —John 19:26-27 NIV
Saying #4
Feeling the weight of our sin pressing + crushing down on Him, Jesus cried out to God the Father.
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” —Matthew 27:45-46 NLT (Cf. Psalm 22:1)
If you’ve ever felt alone + abandoned, Jesus felt that way too. If you’ve ever questioned God, Jesus did that too.
This is why the book of Hebrews encourages us: “We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness + testing, experienced it all—all but the sin” (Hebrews 4:15 MSG).
Saying #5
Jesus demonstrated His humanity.
Jesus knew that his mission was now finished + to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” —John 19:28 NLT
Saying #6
He demonstrated His absolute sovereignty + total victory.
When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” —John 19:30 NLT
Saying #7
Finally, He surrendered everything He had accomplished to the purpose + plan of God.
Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” + with those words he breathed his last.—Luke 23:46 NLT
Many believe that the last two statements (Saying #6 + #7) were probably said with the same breath.
“It is finished. Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”
Everything had come to pass the way Jesus had said it would.
Everything had perfectly fulfilled the plan + purpose of God. Our redemption had been accomplished.
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head + gave up his spirit.—John 19:30 NIV
Matthew + Luke tell us that just before His death Jesus shouted with “a loud voice” (Matthew 27:50; Luke 23:46). John tells what He shouted: “It is finished!”
When Jesus died, He didn’t sigh. He didn’t go out in a whimper of defeat. He shouted with a loud voice!
The Greek phrase for “a loud voice” is “megas phone” which is a cry of victory or a cry of triumph. It’s the cry of a soldier when he has won a battle or a king when he has won the war. That’s how Jesus cried when he shouted, “It is finished! Father, I trust my Spirit into Your hands.”
Six hours after being nailed to the cross, at approximately 3 p.m., Jesus was dead.
Today’s Verse: When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” —John 19:30 NLT
Today’s Prompt: Have you ever thought that “It is finished” was not meant for you + your life?
Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus always has the last word + His word stands.
Today’s Prayer: Father, help me to be as intentional as Jesus was. Though His breaths were hard to come by, He wanted His thoughts + feelings known. I have endless breaths + still don’t use them to make amends, look out for others, ask for forgiveness or ask You questions. Help me to not waste my breaths. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
[1] Anne-Graham Lotz, Just Give Me Jesus, p 226.
[2] Dr Truman Davis, The Crucifixion of Jesus; The Passion of Christ from a Medical Point of View, Arizona Medicine, vol 22, March 1965, pp 183-87.
[3] William D. Edwards, MD; Wesley J. Gabel, M Div; Floyd E Hosmer, MS, AMI, JAMA – The Journal of the American Medical Association March 21, 1986, Volume 256 Copyright 1986, American Medical Association
[4] Dr Truman Davis, The Crucifixion of Jesus; The Passion of Christ from a Medical Point of View, Arizona Medicine, vol 22, March 1965. Also, quoted by Josh McDowell in The Resurrection Factor.
[5] The Passion Translation Footnote [a] of Luke 23:34