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The Crucifixion at the 6th Hour of Suffering

Crucifixion was a common and horrific method of execution among various ancient nations, including the Egyptians, Carthaginians, Persians, Assyrians, Scythians, Indians, Germans, Greeks, and Romans [3]. While it is debated whether ancient Jews practiced crucifixion, it was certainly known to them, and the Mosaic law prescribed other forms of capital punishment such as the sword, strangling, fire, and stoning [4]. To a Jew, crucifixion would have been particularly abhorrent due to the curse mentioned in Deuteronomy 21:23 [4]. The Romans reserved this punishment for the vilest criminals, and it often included scourging before the actual crucifixion [3, 4].

The New Testament uses the term "cross" to refer to the instrument of crucifixion and, by extension, to Christ's crucifixion itself (Ephesians 2:16; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:17, 18; Galatians 5:11; 6:12, 14; Philippians 3:18) [5]. It also metaphorically signifies severe affliction or trial (Matthew 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21) [5].

The timing of Jesus' crucifixion is described in the Gospels with some variation. Mark 15:25 states that Jesus was crucified at the third hour, which corresponds to nine o'clock in the morning [9]. However, John 19:14 places the time around the sixth hour, or noon [9]. These are considered rough estimates, as events in the later morning were often described as occurring "around" either the third or sixth hour [9]. Adam Clarke notes that the Jews divided their day into four general parts, and the "third hour" in Mark's account refers to the period between 9 AM and noon, with the crucifixion itself occurring "a little after mid-day" and Jesus expiring around 3 PM [12]. John Gill points out that the third hour was the time of the morning daily sacrifice and when the Sanhedrin typically began to sit, suggesting that the Jewish leaders were in a hurry to execute Jesus [13].

The suffering of Christ on the cross is understood as a voluntary submission to persecution (Isaiah 50:6) and an example of patience (Isaiah 53:7) [7]. The crucifixion is central to Christian theology, representing the means by which humanity's "old man" was put to death with Christ, so that the "body of sin might be put away" (Romans 6:6 BBE) [2]. Believers are called to take up their own cross, signifying a readiness to endure trials and persecution for their faith [5, 6]. Christians are warned to expect hostility from a sinful world, and not to be surprised by trials [10].

The concept of "crucifying for themselves the Son of God" (Hebrews 6:6 Darby) refers to those who have fallen away from faith, effectively making a public spectacle of Christ's suffering again [1]. This highlights the gravity of apostasy. The crucifixion is also understood as God's necessary response to sin, demonstrating divine wrath against unrighteousness (Romans 1:18) [11]. However, God's long-suffering is also evident, intended to lead to repentance (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) [8].

The location of the crucifixion, Golgotha, was known as "the place of a skull," possibly because it was a common execution site [14]. Some ancient traditions suggest that Adam was buried there, making it a fitting place for Christ to be crucified, as "in Adam all die" [14].

Sources

  1. Hebrews “Hebrews 6:6 (Darby) — and have fallen away, crucifying for themselves [as they do] the Son ofGod, and making a show of [him].”
  2. Romans “Romans 6:6 (BBE) — Being conscious that our old man was put to death on the cross with him, so that the body of sin might be put away, and we might no longer be servants to sin.”
  3. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Crucifixion — was in used among the Egyptians, (Genesis 40:19) the Carthaginians, the Persians, (Esther 7:10) the Assyrians, Scythains, Indians, Germans, and from the earliest times among the Greeks and Romans. Whether this mode of execution was known to the ancient Jews is a matter of dispute. Probably the Jews borrowed it from the Romans. It was unanimously considered the most horrible form of death. Among the Romans the degradation was also a part of the infliction, and the punishment if applied to freemen was only used in the case of the vilest criminals. The one ”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Crucifixion — A common mode of punishment among heathen nations in early times. It is not certain whether it was known among the ancient Jews; probably it was not. The modes of capital punishment according to the Mosaic law were, by the sword (Ex. 21), strangling, fire (Lev. 20), and stoning (Deut. 21). This was regarded as the most horrible form of death, and to a Jew it would acquire greater horror from the curse in Deut. 21:23. This punishment began by subjecting the sufferer to scourging. In the case of our Lord, however, his scourging was rather before the sente”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Cross — In the New Testament the instrument of crucifixion, and hence used for the crucifixion of Christ itself (Eph. 2:16; Heb. 12:2; 1 Cor. 1:17, 18; Gal. 5:11; 6:12, 14; Phil. 3:18). The word is also used to denote any severe affliction or trial (Matt. 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21). The forms in which the cross is represented are these: 1. The crux simplex (I), a "single piece without transom." 2. The crux decussata (X), or St. Andrew's cross. 3. The crux commissa (T), or St. Anthony's cross. 4. The crux immissa (t), or Latin cross, which was the kind of cross o”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Martyrdom — Is death endured for the word of God, and testimony of Christ -- Re 6:9; 20:4. Saints Forewarned of. -- Mt 10:21; 24:9; Joh 16:2. Should not fear. -- Mt 10:28; Re 2:10. Should be prepared for. -- Mt 16:24,25; Ac 21:13. Should resist sin to. -- Heb 12:4. Reward of -- Re 2:10; 6:11. Inflicted at the instigation of the devil -- Re 2:10,13. The Apostasy guilty of inflicting -- Re 17:6; 18:24. Of saints, shall be avenged -- Lu 11:50,51; Re 18:20-24. Exemplified Abel. -- Ge 4:8; 1Jo 3:12. Ahimelech and his fellow priests. -- 1Sa 22:18,19. Prophets and Saints of”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  9. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 15:25: 15:25 Mark records Jesus’ crucifixion as occurring at the third hour, or nine o’clock in the morning. John 19:14 gives the time as around the sixth hour, or noon. These are rough estimates of time, and events in the later morning were typically described as occurring around either the third (Matt 20:3; Acts 2:15) or sixth hour (Mark 15:33; Matt 20:5; 27:45; Luke 23:44; John 4:6; 19:14; Acts 10:9).”
  10. 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:12: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom 8:17; Phil 1:29).”
  11. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  12. Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 15:25: The third hour - It has been before observed, that the Jews divided their night into four watches, of three hours each. They also divided the day into four general parts. The first began at sunrise. The second three hours after. The third at mid-day. The fourth three hours after, and continued till sunset. Christ having been nailed to the cross a little after mid-day, Joh 19:14-16, Joh 19:17, and having expired about three o'clock, Mar 15:33, the whole business of the crucifixion was finished within the space of this third division of the day, which Mark calls here t”
  13. Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 15:23: And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. The time of the daily sacrifice of the morning, at which the priests ought to have been; and the time when the sanhedrim usually began to sit (x); for "the grand sanhedrim sat from the daily sacrifice of the morning, to the daily sacrifice of the evening:'' but this being an extraordinary case, and they in a hurry to put Jesus to death, had been sitting up all night; and early in the morning had procured the sentence of death on him, which they were going to execute by the time they used to sit: this was about nine”
  14. Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 15:22: We have here the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. I. The place where he was crucified; it was called Golgotha - the place of a scull: some think, because of the heads of malefactors that were there cut off: it was the common place of execution, as Tyburn, for he was in all respects numbered with the transgressors. I know not how to give any credit to it, but divers of the ancients mention it as a current tradition, that in this place our first father Adam was buried, and they think it highly congruous that there Christ should be crucified; for as in Adam all die, so ”
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