Just How Badly Did Jesus Suffer? Series

Later, the Jews never did more than 39 lashes so they wouldn’t be guilty of breaking the law if they miscounted.

The Romans who beat Jesus, however, were unhindered by a Jewish law. They could hit a prisoner as many times as they wanted. One writer said that when the Romans whipped a Jew, they struck at least 41 times out of spite to the Jews. How many times was Jesus hit? Who knows?

Jim Caviezal, the actor who played the role of Jesus, wore a board on his back during the scenes depicting the scourging. The actor playing the Roman soldier missed the board once and hit his back. He said that it took his breath away. He has a 14 inch scar on his back.

Mark’s account of the death of Jesus simply says, “And they crucified Him” (Mark 15:24). The film, I think, helps us better grasp the meaning of those few simple words. The biblical authors don’t elaborate on them. But people in New Testament times knew what they meant. They had witnessed crucifixions firsthand.

Jesus was laid down on a cross and square spikes about 3/8’ wide and 7" long were driven through his wrists and feet.

He was then lifted up. His shoulders and elbows may have been dislocated, making his arms freakishly long. In this position, it was impossible to breathe. The only way Jesus was able to breathe on the cross was by lifting His body up by pushing down on the nail through His feet and pulling Himself up on the nails in His wrists. This would allow the breathing muscles to stretch in their normal fashion. But it also produced searing bolts of excruciating pain through His arms and legs. The bleeding ribbons of torn flesh on His back scraped against the rough cross and bled once again. Each breath was not only agonizing, but extremely tiring.

About the crucifixion:

“The wounds swelled about the rough nails, and the torn and lacerated tendons and nerves caused excruciating agony. The arteries of the head and stomach were surcharged with blood and a terrific throbbing headache ensued…The victim of crucifixion literally died a thousand deaths…The suffering was so frightful that even among the raging passions of war pity was sometimes excited.” Henry Dosker, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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There is one verse in the Bible that makes me think that even with all the brutality showing and the blood flowing in The Passion of the Christ, the film probably doesn’t go far enough in depicting the suffering of Christ.

Just as there were many who were appalled at him – his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness.

Isaiah 52:14 (NIV)

Many were amazed when they saw him – beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person.

Isaiah 52:14 (NLT)

Everyone was appalled. He didn’t even look human – a ruined face, disfigured past recognition.

Isaiah 52:14 (Msg)

We see so much make-believe in our world today that we have lost our sense of reality. But remember: the Cross of Jesus was real. There was no stunt man, no fake blood, no rubber nails, no light-weight cross. It was real. When they beat him in the face, it was real. When they spit upon Him, it was real. When they whipped Him, it was real. When they nailed the nails in hands and feet it was real.