376
What demand was made by the Jews on the evening of the crucifixion?
John: That their bodies be taken down from the cross ([xix, 31]).
John was evidently familiar with the Mosaic law ([Deut. xxi, 22, 23]) which, in cases of hanging, enjoined the burial of the body on the day of execution, but seemingly ignorant of the Roman law under which they were executed, which, in cases of crucifixion, prohibited burial, requiring the body to remain upon the cross until decayed, or birds and beasts had devoured it. The Jews esteemed it sinful to allow a criminal to “remain all night upon the tree;” but the Jewish law was inapplicable to the Roman mode of punishment which presupposed that the criminal would remain on the cross several days and nights before death ensued.
377
What additional reason was there for having the bodies taken down?
Mark: “Because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath” ([xv, 42]).
The Sabbath began at sunset on the day that he is declared to have been crucified. The Jewish law would not permit his body, whether dead or alive, to be exposed on the Sabbath. Crucifixion, as we have seen, was a lingering death; several days usually elapsing before the victim expired. Now, is it reasonable to suppose that the Jews would demand, as claimed, a punishment lasting several days when they knew that he must be taken down from the cross in a few hours?