eyewitness accounts
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EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS. 799. 1 John 1:1. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes ,…. 800. 1 John 1:1. …which we have looked at and our hands have touched —this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.”. 801. Acts 1:1-3. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS
799
1 John 1:1“That which was from the
beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,
…
800
1 John 1:1…which we have looked at and
our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of
life.”
801
Acts 1:1-3“The first account I composed,
Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,…
802
Acts 1:1-3…until the day when He was
taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to
the apostles whom He had chosen…
803
Acts 1:1-3…To these He also presented Himself
alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to
them over a period of forty days…
804
Acts 1:1-3
…and speaking of things concerning the kingdom of God.”
804
“This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all
witnesses.”
Acts 2:32
806
“You killed the author of life, but God raised him to life. And
we are witnesses of this fact!”
Acts 3:15
807
“So they called the apostles back in and told them never
again to speak or teach about Jesus…
Acts 4:18-20
808
…But Peter and John replied, ‘Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?...
Acts 4:18-20
809
…We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have
seen and heard.”
Acts 4:18-20
810
“The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead –
Acts 5:30-32
811
…whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree…”
Acts 5:30-32
812
“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews
and in Jerusalem…
Acts 10:39-40
813
…They killed Him by hanging Him on a tree, but God raised Him
from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen.”
Acts 10:39-40
814
“…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, …that
He was buried,…
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
815
…that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Peter
and then to the Twelve…
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
816
…After that He appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time,
most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep…
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
817
…Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last
of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
818
“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be
revealed.”
1 Peter 5:1
819
“For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…
2 Peter 1:16
820
…but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”
2 Peter 1:16
821
“When they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs…
John 19:33-35
822
…Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood
and water…
John 19:33-35
823
…The man who saw it has given testimony and his testimony is
true."
John 19:33-35
824
“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with
them when Jesus came…
John 20:24-30
825
…So the other disciples were saying to him,
‘We have seen the Lord!’…
John 20:24-30
826
…But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the
imprint of the nails,…
John 20:24-30
827
‘…and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not
believe.’…
John 20:24-30
828
…After eight days, His disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the
doors having been shut…
John 20:24-30
829
…and stood in their midst and said,
‘Peace be with you!’
John 20:24-30
830
…Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger,
and see my hands;…
John 20:24-30
831
‘…and reach here your hand and put it into my side; and do not be unbelieving, but
believing.’…
John 20:24-30
832
…Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’
Jesus said to him,…
John 20:24-30
833
…‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they
who did not see and yet believed.’…
John 20:24-30
834
…Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the
presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book…”
John 20:24-30
835
“…This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was
confirmed to us by those who heard him…
Hebrews 2:3-4
836
…God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles,
and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.”
Hebrews 2:3-4
837
“The things that mark an apostle – signs, wonders and miracles –
were done among you with great perseverance.”
2 Corinthians 12:12
838
The Trial of Jesus
839
Why Jewish authorities wanted
Jesus executed N.T. Wright
840
1. They considered Jesus a “false prophet” who was
leading Israel astray.
Five Reasons
841
2. Jesus claimed authority over the greatest Jewish symbol –
the Temple – he would personally replace the
role of the Temple.
Five Reasons
842
3. Jesus saw Himself as the Messiah…he could become
the focus of serious revolutionary activity.
Five Reasons
843
4. Jesus was a political risk whose actions might provoke the wrath of Rome upon the
nation.
Five Reasons
844
5. Jesus made blasphemous claims placing Himself
alongside the God of Israel.
Five Reasons
845
James M. Boice6 Charges
Against Jesus
1. Threatening to destroy the Jewish temple.
(Matthew 26:61)
846
James M. Boice6 Charges
Against Jesus
2. Accused of being an evildoer.
(John 18:30)
847
James M. Boice6 Charges
Against Jesus
3. Charged with perverting the nation.
(Luke 23:2)
848
James M. Boice6 Charges
Against Jesus
4. He had forbidden Jews to pay taxes to Caesar.
(Luke 23:2)
849
James M. Boice6 Charges
Against Jesus
5. He stirred up the people.
(Luke 23:5)
850
James M. Boice6 Charges
Against Jesus
6. Cited for having made Himself a king.
(Luke 23:2)
851
“He claimed to be the unique Son of God, which they judged
blasphemy.”
James M. BoiceThe Real Accusation
852
►Jews: concerned with religious implications of Jesus’ actions.
►Romans: concerned with politics, economics, and the authority of Rome.
853
Jesus replied to the governor’s question,
“Are you the King of the Jews?”
854
“It is as you say,” he gave them grounds for execution.
855
Six Trials
3 Roman
3 Jewish
856
“There can be no doubt that a confession such as this was sufficient in Roman law for
conviction of the defendant.” (Reflections on the Trial of Jesus)
Justice Haim Cohn Supreme Court of Israel
857
R.E. Grant“The Trial of Jesus in the Light of History”
“…both Jews and Romans interpreted Christ’s remark as a
reference to kingship…
858
…was interpreted by the Jews and Romans as carrying seeds of rebellion against the Roman
power.”
R.E. Grant“The Trial of Jesus in the Light of History”
859
Dr. David Flusser Hebrew University - Jerusalem
THE JEWISH PROBLEM
860
The rebellion would bring reprisals and strict oversight by the Romans
861
Should outbreak take place by His supporters better to hate Roman
governor862
“Roman authorities punished not only the individuals who incited the people against the Romans...
Solomon ZeitlinJewish Quarterly Review
863
…but the leaders of the people as well. In some respects, the Jewish leaders were held as hostage for
the obedience of the Jewish people to the Roman State…
Solomon ZeitlinJewish Quarterly Review
864
…Many Jewish leaders, by the circumstance of the political
condition, had to act as informers against some of the dissenters and
revolutionaries…
Solomon ZeitlinJewish Quarterly Review
865
…among their own brethren in order to save their own lives.”
Solomon ZeitlinJewish Quarterly Review
866
THE ROMAN PROBLEM
Dr. David Flusser Hebrew University - Jerusalem
867
The Roman Problem
►Should he refuse – Tiberius infuriated
868
“Failure to bring the potential menace to the governor’s attention while it could be
checked…
Dr. David FlusserThe Roman Problem
869
…might well prove costly to them in the long run and lead to
reprisals and to stricter oversight.”
Dr. David FlusserThe Roman Problem
870
“…Should he [Pontius Pilate] refuse to follow the advice of the
local leaders…
Dr. David FlusserThe Roman Problem
871
…who knew their tricky and incomprehensible fellow
countrymen…
Dr. David FlusserThe Roman Problem
872
…as no Roman could ever hope to do, and should this individual
prove a serious menace…
Dr. David FlusserThe Roman Problem
873
…well might he tremble at the thought of his own fate at the
hands of the outraged Tiberius.”
Dr. David FlusserThe Roman Problem
874
“…a dozen uprisings in Palestine since Pompey first conquered the
land in 63 B.C...Most of them subdued by Roman forces…
Dr. Paul L. MaierProfessor Western Michigan University
875
…another Messianic rebellion under Jesus of Nazareth would
only shatter the precarious balance of authority…”
Dr. Paul L. MaierProfessor Western Michigan University
876
“Jesus provided the grounds for a sentence of death from both the
Jewish authorities (i.e. capital blasphemy)…
Dr. Craig EvansAcadia Divinity College
877
…and the Roman authorities (i.e. treason and sedition).”
Dr. Craig EvansAcadia Divinity College
878
“The leaders of the Jewish people were thus able to present Jesus to
Pilate as a seditious trouble-maker…
N.T. WrightBritish Scholar
879
…to their Jewish contemporaries (and later generations of rabbinic Judaism as a false prophet and a
blasphemer leading Israel astray…
N.T. WrightBritish Scholar
880
Religious Motive
881
Religious Motive
Many teachings were being questioned by those influenced by Jesus
882
The Crucifixion of Christ
883
Evidence for Jesus’ death
(Non-Christian sources)
Cornelius Tacitus (AD 55-120)
Considered by many to be greatest ancient Roman historian
884
Evidence for Jesus’ death
(Non-Christian sources)
JosephusJewish scholar
(AD 37-97) 885
Evidence for Jesus’ death
(Non-Christian sources)
Jewish Talmud (AD 70-200)
886
Evidence for Jesus’ death
(Non-Christian sources)
“…they [the Romans] succeeded in perfecting an almost scientifically
conceived technique which produced the maximal pain…
887
Evidence for Jesus’ death
(Non-Christian sources)
…together with a death struggle of an adjustable duration.”
888
Evidence for Jesus’ death
(Non-Christian sources)
Early 1st century BC
Alexander Janaeus executed 800 prisoners
889
Evidence for Jesus’ death
(Non-Christian sources)
4 BC
Governor of Syria
executed 2000 Jews
890
Evidence for Jesus’ death
(Non-Christian sources)
“Josephus records no crucifixions of Jews during the first part of the
Roman prefecture in Judea (AD 6-40)…
891
Evidence for Jesus’ death
(Non-Christian sources)
…but ample attestations of crucifixions during the second part
(AD 44-66).”
892
Cicero
Considered death by crucifixion, “the most cruel and hideous of
tortures.”
893
“…even the Romans…pitied the victims.”
Will DurantHistorian
894
“The pain was absolutely unbearable.
In fact, it was literally beyond words to describe…
Alexander MetherellM.D., PhD
895
…they had to invent a new word: Excruciating
Literally meaning ‘out of the cross’”
Alexander MetherellM.D., PhD
896
His conclusion: The New Testament account of Christ being nailed to the cross
was false and misleading…
Dr. J.W. HewittHarvard Theological Review
897
…Crucifixion by use of nails was considered legendary.
Dr. J.W. HewittHarvard Theological Review
898
A Dead Man Speaks(June, 1968)
899
V. Tzaferis discovered four cave-tombs north of Jerusalem (near
Mount Scopus)
900
Family tombs held 15 ossuaries containing bones of 35
individuals
901
Found name of Yohanan Ben Ha’galgal in Ossuary #4
7-inch spike driven through the heel bone902
†Date from late second century BC to 70 AD
†Moisture helped preserve the bones
903
On describing the pain…
“One of the principle nerves, the median, crosses the wrist joint…
Dr. Smalhout
904
…The nail almost always came into contact with this nerve.
Touching or damaging a nerve causes the maximal amount of
pain possible…
Dr. Smalhout
905
…The nerve became stretched over the sharp sides of the nail like
the strings over the bridge of a musical instrument…
Dr. Smalhout
906
…Stimulation of the median nerve produced such severe cramps in
the thumb that it bent across the palm so violently that the
thumbnail embedded itself in the flesh.”
Dr. Smalhout
907
Process of Scourging
JAMAJournal of the
AmericanMedical
Association
On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ
Vol 255. No. 11, March 21, 1986
Article byWilliam D. Edwards, MD;Wesley J. Gabel, MDiv;
Floyd E. Hosmer, MS, AMI
908
“The usual instrument was a short whip…with several single or braided leather thongs of variable lengths…
909
…in which small iron balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones were tied at intervals…
910
…the man was stripped of his clothing, and his hands were tied to an upright post…
The back, buttocks, and legs were flogged…
911
http://www.holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/images/Image2.jpg912
…The scourging...was intended to weaken the victim to a state just short of collapse or death…
913
…As the Roman soldiers repeatedly struck the victim’s back with full force, the iron balls would cause deep contusions…
914
…and the leather thongs and sheep bones would cut into the skin and Subcutaneous tissues…
915
…then as the flogging continued, the lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles.”
916
Dr. Smalhout
“Damage to such an extensive skin area and contusion of such a
large amount of muscle is comparable in severity…
917
Dr. Smalhout
…to a deep burn involving half the body surface…
…without medical attention such an injury could end fatally within a few hours to several days later.”
918
Alexander Metherell
•University of Miami medical degree •University of Bristol – England doctorate in engineering •Made a detailed examination of Christ‘s whipping at the hands of the Romans
919
Alexander Metherell
“The soldier would use a whip of braided leather thongs with metal balls woven into them. …
920
Alexander Metherell
…When the whip would strike the flesh, these balls would cause deep bruises or contusions, which would break open with further blows. …
921
Alexander Metherell
…And the whip had pieces of sharp bone as well, which would cut the flesh severely. …
922
http://www.holytrinity.ok.goarch.org/images/Image2.jpg923
924
…The back would be so shredded that part of the spine was
sometimes exposed by the deep, deep cuts. …
925
…The whipping would have gone all the way from the shoulders
down to the back, the buttocks, and the back of the legs. …
926
…One physician said, ‘As the flogging continued, the
lacerations would tear into the underlying skeletal muscles and
produce quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh.’ …
927
…Eusebius described flogging by saying, ‘The sufferer‘s veins were laid bare, and the very muscles, sinews, and bowels of the victim
were open to exposure.’ …928
Alexander Metherell
…We know that many people would die from this kind of beating even before they could be crucified. At
the least, the victim would experience tremendous pain and go
into hypovolemic shock.”929
†The Jews were limited by their laws to forty lashes.
†The Romans had no such limitations.
930
“For even when they [the Christians] were so torn by whips that the internal structure of their
flesh was visible (veins and arteries)…
“The Martyrdom of Polycarp”
931
“…they endured it so patiently that even bystanders had pity and
wept.”
“The Martyrdom of Polycarp”
932
“…a mass of swollen and bloody flesh.”
Will DurantHistorian
933
Purpose for Breaking Legs
934
†Shins were intentionally broken
†Crurifragium: “The act of breaking the legs with a heavy club or mallet.”
935
“Sedecula” – Seat
936
“Sedecula” – Seat
“Air drawn in but not
exhaled”937
“As the arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over the
muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain…
Dr. Truman Davis
938
…With these cramps comes the inability to push Himself upward.
Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed and the
intercostal muscles are unable to act…
Dr. Truman Davis
939
…Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled.
Jesus fights to raise Himself in order to get even one short
breath…
Dr. Truman Davis
940
…Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and bloodstream and
the cramps partially subside…
Dr. Truman Davis
941
…Spasmodically, He is able to push Himself upward to exhale
and bring in the life-giving oxygen.”
Dr. Truman Davis
942
†Orthostatic collapse (insufficient blood flow to brain and heart) would follow.
†To avoid, the victim would push up by his feet to improve circulation.
943
†To hasten the death, authorities would break the victim’s legs below the knees.
†Rapid suffocation or coronary insufficiency followed.
944
John Dominic Crossan
said that the death of Jesus by crucifixion “is as sure as anything
historical can ever be.”
945
Spilling of Blood and Water
946
John 19:34“…and immediately blood and
water came out.”
947
Quintillian
Declamations malores 6:9
“As for those who die on the cross, the executioner does not forbid the burying of those who
have been pierced.”
948
“We are told on eyewitness authority that ‘blood and water’ came out of the pierced side of
Jesus (John 19:34-35)…
Michael GreenBritish Author
949
…The eyewitnesses clearly attached great importance to
this. Had Jesus been alive when the spear pierced His side…
Michael GreenBritish Author
950
…strong spouts of blood would have emerged with every
heartbeat. Instead, the observer noticed semi-solid dark red clot
seeping out…
Michael GreenBritish Author
951
…distinct and separate from the accompanying water serum. This is evidence of massive clotting in the blood in the main arteries…
Michael GreenBritish Author
952
…and is exceptionally strong proof of death…
Michael GreenBritish Author
953
…because the evangelist could not have realized its significance
to a pathologist…
Michael GreenBritish Author
954
…The ‘blood and water’ from the spear-thrust is proof positive that Jesus was already dead.”
Michael GreenBritish Author
955
FURCA
956
“…a piece of wood in the form on an inverted V on which the shaft of two-wheeled carts rested on when
they were in the stables…
Dr. Pierre Barbet
957
…When a slave was punished, the furca was placed astride the nape of his neck, his hands were bound
to the two arms…
Dr. Pierre Barbet
958
…and marched through the neighborhood while he was made
to proclaim his offense.”
Dr. Pierre Barbet
959
“…Since a furca was not always obtainable, they began to use a long piece of wood…for barring
doors called the patibulum…
Dr. Pierre Barbet
960
…The patibulum weighed approximately 110 pounds and was strapped to the victim’s shoulders.”
Dr. Pierre Barbet
961
http://www.unlimitedglory.org/realitypassion3.jpg
Patibulum
962
Roman Customs Applied
963
†Titulus (or sign)
“Jesus the Nazerene, the
King of the Jews.”
964
†Divided up garment
Cast lots
965
†4 executioners certified his
death
966
“True, there is a recorded instance of a victim being taken
down from a cross and surviving…
Dr. Paul L. MaierProfessor Western Michigan University
967
…The Jewish historian Josephus (who had gone over to the Roman
side in the rebellion of 66 AD), discovered three of his friends
being crucified…
Dr. Paul L. MaierProfessor Western Michigan University
968
…He asked the Roman general Titus to reprieve them and they
were immediately removed from their crosses…
Dr. Paul L. MaierProfessor Western Michigan University
969
…Still, two of the three died anyway, even though they
apparently had been crucified only a short time…
Dr. Paul L. MaierProfessor Western Michigan University
970
…In Jesus’ case, however, there were the additional complication of scourging and exhaustion, to say nothing of the great spear
thrust…
Dr. Paul L. MaierProfessor Western Michigan University
972
…that pierced His rib cage and probably ruptured His
pericardium.
Romans were grimly efficient about crucifixions:
Dr. Paul L. MaierProfessor Western Michigan University
971
…Victims did NOT escape with their lives.”
Dr. Paul L. MaierProfessor Western Michigan University
973
“If the Persians did not invent the crucifixion, they practiced it on a
large scale.”
Herodotus/Thucydides
974
†The Persians consecrated the ground to the god, Ormayed…
†Execution [by crucifixion] would not defile the ground because the body did not touch it.
975
As advisor to Titus during the siege of Jerusalem, he had
observed many crucifixions and called them “the most wretched
deaths.”
Flavius JosephusJewish Historian
976
Solid Rock Tomb
977
William Lane Craig3 Types of Rock Tombs
978
1. Kokhim: Tunnels perpendicular to walls of the tomb.…6-7 feet deep…Three in each of three inner walls of the tomb…Body inserted headfirst
979
2. Acrosalia: Semi-circular niches
…2½ feet above floor
…2 – 3 feet deep
…Contains flat shelf or trough for body
980
3. Bench tombs containing a bench around three walls on which the body could be laid.
981
Acrosalia tombs have been found near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher…the traditional site for Jesus’
grave.
982
Reasons for Confidence in Burial of Jesus
983
1. Paul confirms the burial story in I Corinthians 15:3-5
…The material Paul drew from can be traced to within 3-8 years of
Christ’s death.
984
1. Paul confirms the burial story in I Corinthians 15:3-5
…The burial story can be traced back so close to the time of
Christ’s death that legendary development is impossible.
985
2. The Burial is not surrounded by adornment or embellishment;
986
3. No early documents exist that refute the story as presented in the
Gospels;
987
4. How could Jewish authorities-who had tried for so long to get rid of Jesus-
not pay attention to his burial?
988
5. If Christians invented Joseph, why would they make a hero of a member of the very court that was responsible
for Jesus’ death?
989
Jewish Burial Procedures
990
BURIAL BEFORE SUNSET
991
It was Jewish custom in Jerusalem prior to the fall in
A.D. 70 to remove the crucified and bury them prior to sunset.
992
Seder Nezikin The Babylonian Talmud
“If he is left [hanging] overnight, a negative command is thereby
transgressed. For it is written…
993
…‘his body shall not remain all night upon the tree…
Seder Nezikin The Babylonian Talmud
994
“but thou shalt surely bury him the same day for he is hanged
[because of] a curse against God.’”
Seder Nezikin The Babylonian Talmud
995
Body Preparation
996
►Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea prepared Christ’s body for burial (John 19:38-42)
►Body would be placed on a stone table in the burial chamber.
997
In accordance with Jewish burial customs, the body of Jesus was then
wrapped in a linen cloth. 998
Seventy-five pounds of aromatic spices, mixed together to form a
gummy substance, were applied to the wrappings around the body.
999
“Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of
myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight…
John 19:39-40
1000
…40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen
wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.”
John 19:39-40
1001
1. Washed with warm water…this was so important that it was even
permitted on the Sabbath (Babylonian Talmud)
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1002
2. Washing must not be done alone
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1003
3. Body must be moved by two or more people
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1004
4. Laid on a board with feet towards the door
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1005
5. The mouth is covered
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1006
6. The face is lifted upwards
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1007
7. Washed left side first, then right side
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1008
8. Hair and nails are cleaned
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1009
9. Verses are cited, ending with:
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1010
“And I will sprinkle clean water upon you and you shall be clean.”
Ezekiel 36:25
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1011
10. Water on floor cleaned up immediately
A.P. BenderJewish Quarterly Review
1012
Aromatic Spices
† 75-100 pounds were used for Christ’s burial
1013
Aromatic Spices
†Gamaliel (grandson of Jewish scholar Hillel)
†…86 pounds used†When Herod died, 500 servants
were needed to carry the spices
1014
Linen Cloth
† No ornamentation or stain on cloth
† Sewn by women
† No knots permitted
1015
Linen Cloth
† No one could be buried in fewer than three separate garments.
1016
Linen Cloth
† Body would be wrapped in linen cloth starting at the feet.
1017
Linen Cloth
† Spices are mixed with gummy myrrh and placed between folds of cloth.
† Torso would be wrapped to armpits
1018
Linen Cloth
† Arms placed outside wrapping, then wrapped up to the neck.
† Separate cloth was wrapped around the head.
1019
“Myrrh used was a drug which adheres so closely to the body
that the grave clothes could not be easily removed.”
John Chrysostom4th Century A.D.
1020