Source: “On the Resurrection: volume 1”: Evidences, 2024 by Gary Habermas Published by B&H Academic Brentwood, Tennessee.
Crucifixion - A Historical Certainty.pdf
9. Minimal Fact 1- Jesus Death.mp3
This podcast meticulously examines the historicity of Jesus's death by Roman crucifixion, asserting it as one of the most reliably established facts about his life, even among skeptical scholars like Bart Ehrman. The author builds this case through a comprehensive review of historical and medical evidence, emphasizing multiple independent attestations, including early Christian creeds, eyewitness accounts, and corroborating non-Christian and even hostile sources. Furthermore, the text explores medical insights into crucifixion, primarily supporting asphyxiation as the common cause of death, and discusses the Roman practice of a "death blow," such as piercing Jesus's side, to ensure demise. Finally, it highlights David F. Strauss's influential critique of the "swoon theory," arguing that a barely surviving Jesus could not have inspired the disciples' profound belief in a triumphant resurrection, thereby strengthening the conclusion that Jesus genuinely died on the cross.
The crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most famous and influential stories in human history. For billions, it is a sacred event central to their faith. For others, it is a powerful cultural narrative. Yet, behind the familiar story depicted in art, film, and sermons lies a bedrock of historical and medical evidence, full of surprising details that often challenge common perceptions. This is not just a matter of belief; it is a matter of intense academic scrutiny.
Modern scholars—including those who are deeply skeptical of any supernatural claims—have rigorously examined this event. Their consensus reveals a historical record that is far more robust, detailed, and counter-intuitive than most people realize. This article will explore five of the most impactful and rigorously supported facts about the crucifixion, drawing not on theology, but on the evidence that has convinced a broad consensus of historians.
For most events in the ancient world, historians feel fortunate to find one or two independent sources. As historian Paul Maier asserts, "many facts from antiquity rest on just one ancient source, while two or three sources in agreement generally render the fact unimpeachable." By this standard, the evidence for the crucifixion of Jesus is exceptionally rare.