[383] See 'The Physical Cause of the Death of Christ,' by Dr. Symes Thompson, 1904.
15. His suffering extreme weakness, and extreme thirst, immediately before His death.[384]
[384] Lam. 4. 4; John 19. 28-30.
16. His being crucified (i.e., His hands and feet being pierced), the men who did this being here called dogs. They seem to have been a special set of men, different from the Jews who had before been mocking Him. And as this was the very term used by Christ Himself for the Gentiles, in distinction to the Jews,[385] it was peculiarly appropriate to the Gentile (Roman) soldiers who crucified Him.
[385] Matt. 15. 26.
17. And they also exposed and stretched out His Body, so that the bones stood out in relief. And they then stood watching Him;
18. and divided His garments among them, casting lots for one of them.
19. Then follows a short prayer.
20. The term sword, like the dog, the lion's mouth, and the wild oxen, need not be pressed literally; but may be used here (as in other places)[386] for any violent death. And in the New Testament it seems employed for all punishments, including probably a death by crucifixion (St. Peter's).[387]
[386] Comp. 2 Sam. 11. 24; 12. 9.