How far was Jesus final walk to be killed?

Daniel Marsh · #1 Oct 19, '06, 7:03 am

Based on the evidence, I think Jesus was carrying a crossbeam to his death. A "torture" stake would be about 6" by 10" by 24 feet long. But, I am wondering how far was his final walk carrying the cross?

Go to Home Depot sometime and try to bench press a 6 x 10 -- 24 foot beam sometime.

deb1 · #2 Oct 19, '06, 7:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Marsh

Based on the evidence, I think Jesus was carrying a crossbeam to his death. A "torture" stake would be about 6" by 10" by 24 feet long. But, I am wondering how far was his final walk carrying the cross?

Go to Home Depot sometime and try to bench press a 6 x 10 -- 24 foot beam sometime.

Jesus fell while carrying the cross and was unable to continue. So, the fact that the crossbeam was heavy is proven by scriptural accounts of Jesus' walk to Calvary.

Also, I was under the impression that Jesus carried the upper part of the cross, not the stake itself.

DaveBj · #3 Oct 19, '06, 3:42 pm

As far as the walk was concerned, just a few hundred yards, probably not more than 1/2 mile.

DaveBj

Katholikos · #4 Oct 19, '06, 3:52 pm

What's the length of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem? Find that out, then you'll know.

StMarkEofE · #5 Oct 19, '06, 4:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katholikos

What's the length of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem? Find that out, then you'll know.

There is disagreement whether or not the Via Dolorosa was the actual route take by Christ but be that as it may, a perspective is needed here. Christ had fasted for 40 days and the Last Supper wasnt a big meal by any stretch, the incarceration and beatings sapped enormous strength from His body, so I doubt the length to Golgatha was that long. My guess maybe less than a 1/8th of a mile. Even in His condition without carrying the Cross it would have been a major struggle to stay on one's feet. I also read that the hill of the skull, golgatha, was just outside one of the original west walls.

MyPhilomena · #6 Oct 19, '06, 5:04 pm

Even if our loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ walked 5 feet after being scourged, beaten, and falling it would be to much

But He did it for us all. We all ought to thank Him every day for His sacrifice, be it only a five foot walk He made, or a 50 foot walk, He died for us all. iam not worthy!! forgive me Lord, a poor sinner.

Thank you Jesus, I love you!

**LilyM** · #7 Oct 19, '06, 5:07 pm

Where in Scripture does it say that Christ had fasted for 40 days though? And surely it wasn't that uncommon to make criminals carry all or part of their own cross? Perhaps it was indeed just the crossbeam that he was made to carry.

And remember that most people walked everywhere and carried significant weights further distances than we're used to - they were a lot fitter in general. Too, Jesus was a carpenter, a very physical job.

On the other hand, as well as falling three times in the space of what appears to have been a few hundred yards, he ALSO required help from Simon of Cyrene. So clearly it was a heavy weight.

MyPhilomena · #8 Oct 19, '06, 5:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilyM

Where in Scripture does it say that Christ had fasted for 40 days though? And surely it wasn't that uncommon to make criminals carry all or part of their own cross? Perhaps it was indeed just the crossbeam that he was made to carry.

And remember that most people walked everywhere and carried significant weights further distances than we're used to - they were a lot fitter in general. Too, Jesus was a carpenter, a very physical job.

On the other hand, as well as falling three times in the space of what appears to have been a few hundred yards, he ALSO required help from Simon of Cyrene. So clearly it was a heavy weight.

Christ was not a criminal, although they treated him as one

as we all know! Even if Jesus Christ our Lord carried a cross beam, imagine how heavy it was after they beat Him and scourged Him? not to mention the agony in the garden!

**LilyM** · #9 Oct 19, '06, 6:16 pm

I agree with you 110% Philomena - just being a bit of a devil's advocate

MyPhilomena · #10 Oct 19, '06, 6:39 pm

[quote=LilyM;1584567]I agree with you 110% QUOTE]

Valke2 · #11 Oct 20, '06, 3:20 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by StMarkEofE

There is disagreement whether or not the Via Dolorosa was the actual route take by Christ but be that as it may, a perspective is needed here. Christ had fasted for 40 days and the Last Supper wasnt a big meal by any stretch, the incarceration and beatings sapped enormous strength from His body, so I doubt the length to Golgatha was that long. My guess maybe less than a 1/8th of a mile. Even in His condition without carrying the Cross it would have been a major struggle to stay on one's feet. I also read that the hill of the skull, golgatha, was just outside one of the original west walls.

How do you know how much Jesus ate at the last supper??

Daniel Marsh · #12 Oct 20, '06, 7:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by deb1

Jesus fell while carrying the cross and was unable to continue. So, the fact that the crossbeam was heavy is proven by scriptural accounts of Jesus' walk to Calvary.

Also, I was under the impression that Jesus carried the upper part of the cross, not the stake itself.

Yes, Jesus did fall, and someone else was made to carry it for him. But, Jesus was also beaten, he was losing blood, with all the torture, he was already tired, lacked sleep.

My point is a 6" x 6" -- 4 foot beam is much lighter than a 6" x 10" --- 24 foot beam. One man can lift the cross beam and carry it with difficulty, but it can be done. But, even a weight lifter would have a hard time lifting the "torture stake" of 6" x 10" ---- 24 feet long. Go to Home Depot and try it yourself. Basically, very few people would be able to lift and carry the so-called torture stake.
And, after what Jesus went through, the bleeding back from the 40 lashes of the cat tails, I doubt anyone would be able to lift within carry the so-called torture stake.

Quote:

Preparations for the scourging were carried out when the Prisoner was stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. It is doubtful the Romans would have made any attempt to follow the Jewish law in this matter, but the Jews had an ancient law prohibiting more than forty lashes.

The Roman legionnaire steps forward with the flagrum (or flagellum) in his hand. This is a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each. The heavy whip is brought down with full force again and again across Jesus' shoulders, back, and legs. At first the thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continue, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin, and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles.

The small balls of lead first produce large, deep bruises which are broken open by subsequent blows. Finally the skin of the back is hanging in long ribbons and the entire area is an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it is determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner is near death, the beating is finally stopped.

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Orac...7/indexdr.html

I am saying that one would be able to lift and carry the crossbeam, but very few if any would be able to carry the so-called torture stake. Add to that Jesus' depleated physical condition from the tortures, mockings, lack of sleep, no food, then even the crossbeam becomes difficult to carry and it is no wonder someone had to finish carrying the crossbeam for him.

Go to Home Depot, find a 6" X 10" X 24 foot beam ( or even a 16 foot since that is more common ) and inquire what the weight of that beam is. Try to lift it yourself.

StMarkEofE · #13 Oct 20, '06, 8:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valke2

How do you know how much Jesus ate at the last supper??

I dont know, but I can surmise that Jesus ate at best in moderation. Im sure He didnt pig-out at the Last Supper.

Valke2 · #14 Oct 20, '06, 8:27 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by StMarkEofE

I dont know, but I can surmise that Jesus ate at best in moderation. Im sure He didnt pig-out at the Last Supper.

You guys have obviously never been to a Passover Seder. There's no shortage of food.

Of course, this really has nothing to do with anything.

Question: Did Jesus fast for the 40 days immediately preceeding the last supper? And was this a sun-up to sundown fast.

DaveBj · #15 Oct 20, '06, 9:31 am

Jesus' 40-day fast was at the beginning of his ministry, not at the end. I've been a serious Bible-studying Christian for 30 years, and I've never found anythiing about a 40-day fast at the end of his ministry. Documentation, please, StMarkEofE.

DaveBj