THE BEATING

• Victim is stripped and tied to a pole.
• Shards of metal and bone are laced into the leather whip.
• Romans aren’t limited to 40 strokes, as are the Jews.
• Pain and blood loss set stage for shock.

DEAD MAN WALKING

• Victim carries crossbeam to execution site.
• Crossbeam is attached to vertical pole.
• Seat prolongs the torture, making it easier to breath.

NAILED

• Iron nails pin hands and feet to cross.
• Nails miss main arteries and bones.
• Wine laced with painkilling myrrh or frankincense is offered. Jesus refuses.

BREATH OF LIFE 

• Position and weight of body forces victim to push up to exhale.
• Breaking legs speeds death. It forces arms to do all the work, pulling victim up to exhale.
• Jesus dies before breaking the legs becomes necessary.

SPEARED

• Soldier confirms death by stabbing the heart.
• By this time, shock has started separating blood into two basic elements: cell clusters and amber-colored serum.
• “Water” pours out of Jesus’ chest-serum from inside and around the heart.
• Possible cause of death: a combination of shock, exhaustion, asphyxiation, and heart failure.