What was crucifixion?
The crucifixion was invented by the Phoenicians and later used by the Romans as a means of execution. It is perhaps the most cruel and agonising method of execution ever invented by human beings in order to inflict maximum pain whilst denying the victim the relief of death. The victim would sometimes be scourged with a whip made of leather thongs, which often contained pieces of metal or bone in order to rip the flesh. Jesus’ back would have looked like a ploughed field (again a fulfilment of prophecy. It had been known for people to die from such beatings alone. Having been stripped of all his clothing, the victim was then impaled to the cross by means of iron nails driven through the wrists and feet, or above the heels. Ropes bound the shoulders to the wooden frame so that the victim was held, immovable, exposed to the full heat of the day and cold of the night. Victims would be unable to wipe away annoying insects, or sweat from their eyes. In addition, the victim would suffer sever
