374
What request did the Jews make of Pilate concerning Jesus and the malefactors?
John: They “besought Pilate that their legs might be broken” ([xix, 31]).
This punishment, known as crurifragium, was a distinct mode of execution and was never united with crucifixion. Crucifixion, we have seen, was not employed to punish theft. Neither was crurifragium. Yet we are asked to believe that both modes of execution, two of the cruelest forms of punishment, were combined to punish these offenders. The Synoptics do not mention this punishment.