The sights, sounds, and smells of any form of public execution are never pleasant, but it is hard to find a method of execution more disturbing than crucifixion. The notion of crucifixion seems to have grown from the practice of impaling lifeless of living persons on a post. This practice morphed into crucifixion and was employed by the Persians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Jews, and eventually Romans.
Continue reading EVERYDAY BIBLE LIFE (CRUCIFY)
It was customary among the Romans to scourge or flog a condemned criminal before he was executed. A scourage was a whip with sharp pieces of metal or bone imbedded in the leather. The back and chest of the criminal were struck repeatedly with this whip until the flesh was severely lacerated, sometimes all the way down to the bone. Continue reading BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES “PUNISHMENT BY SCOURGING”
Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, would have been much happier at his Roman enclave in the heavily fortified port city of Caesarea. But he was expected to be in Jerusalem during Passover week to maintain order. Continue reading MEN OF THE BIBLE (PILATE: FAILURE OF NERVE)