Roman Crucifixion and the Death of Jesus (Crucifixion: A Multidisciplinary Investigation of the Death of Jesus of Nazareth)

by Woodrow Michael Kroll

Publisher:

Resource Publications

, 2023

Overview

The Roman practice of crucifixion was so abhorrent that even the Romans didn’t talk about it. Yet their government practiced crucifixion for centuries. What drew the crowds to the killing fields to watch people die such torturous deaths? What enabled those elite soldiers in the Roman killing squads to crucify their victims with the precision and skill of a hospital surgeon? These and many other questions are answered in this book.

Of the thousands of people who fell victim to “the most pitiable of deaths,” one is much better known than all the others—Jesus of Nazareth. Most Christians know something of Jesus’ crucifixion because of the Gospel narratives, but to enhance our appreciation of the Savior’s death, we benefit by knowing more about Roman crucifixion. Roman Crucifixion and the Death of Jesus provides a deeper understanding of how, where, and why someone could be crucified and helps to inform us of Jesus’ crucifixion. Armed with a better grasp of Roman crucifixion, we can more fully appreciate Jesus’ pain, his purpose, and his prayers from Calvary’s cross.

Key Features

• Helps to inform us of Jesus’ crucifixion.
• Provides a deeper understanding of how, where, and why someone could be crucified.
• Invites to more fully appreciate Jesus’ pain, his purpose, and his prayers from Calvary’s cross.

Contents

• Foreword by Craig S. Keener
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• List of Abbreviations
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 The Origins and History of Crucifixion
• Chapter 2 The Worst of All Deaths
• Chapter 3 Crucifixion and the Romans
• Chapter 4 Wood Stake or Roman Cross?
• Chapter 5 The Components of a Roman Cross
• Chapter 6 Types of Roman Crosses
• Chapter 7 How Victims Were Fastened to a Cross
• Chapter 8 Hands or Wrists?
• Chapter 9 The Horror of Scourging
• Chapter 10 Crucifixion and Archaeology: Proof from Epigraphic Evidence
• Chapter 11 Crucifixion and Archaeology: Proof from Tombs and Ossuaries
• Chapter 12 Crucifixion and Archaeology: Proof from Gems and Jewelry
• Chapter 13 How Roman Crucifixion Informs Us of Jesus’ Death
• Chapter 14 Jesus Has the Last Word
• Epilogue
• Endnotes
• Appendix A: Chronology
• Bibliography
• Author Index
• Subject Index

Praise for Roman Crucifixion and the Death of Jesus

Woodrow Kroll has written a survey of the available literary and archaeological evidence for the capital punishment of crucifixion which he applies to Jesus’ crucifixion as reported in the Gospels. The book will help lay readers understand the horrors of crucifixion and appreciate at a deeper level Jesus’ death on the cross.

—Eckhard J. Schnabel, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Woodrow Kroll has comprehensively treated the many details of the trials, the death, and the burial of Jesus. He has extensively examined ancient sources and the scholarly treatments by scholars of many persuasions. He has clearly set forth his conclusions with many helpful tabular lists and apposite quotations. As one who has also researched and written on these topics, I have learned much from his excellent exposition.

—Edwin M. Yamauchi, Miami University, emeritus

Product Details

• Title: Roman Crucifixion and the Death of Jesus
• Author: Woodrow Michael Kroll
• Series: Crucifixion: A Multidisciplinary Investigation of the Death of Jesus of Nazareth
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2025
• Pages: 322
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Crucifixion; Crucifixion of Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ Crucifixion
• Resource ID: LLS:RMNCRCFXNJNZRTH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-03-11T23:19:02Z