Question regarding the Roman soldier who killed Jesus??

Question

Is it POSSIBLE that he was acting out of compassion and mercy?

2 reasons for this theory -

1. crucifiction is known to be a lengthy, painful method of execution. It was common at the time for crucified criminals to be killed before they died of exposure.

2. The Roman Legions of that period had a tradition of carrying daggers to assist their badly wounded comrades to die.

If this Roman did act out of compassion, how harshly should he be judged?

Answer 1

The story of the Roman Legion who pierced the side of Christ with a lance is viewed as an act of compassion. From legend he could not bear to watch this man named the Jesus suffer through crucifixion, which is an extraordinarily brutal form of execution. The spear that was used is called the spear of Longius, named after the Roman legion. It is a religious relic and is said to have supernatural qualities. Legend says that an army that is in possession of the spear cannot be defeated.

Answer 2

Roman Soldier Jesus

Answer 3

No.
Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Mark 15: 39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Luke 23: 33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

Answer 4

The soldier realized Christ was already dead otherwise he wound have broken his legs. I don't see how it would be showing mercy.

The centurion was following orders. Legs were broken so that the live criminals could not support there body weight any more and they would die quickly through suffocation. Christ was already dead. Why he stabbed him other than to fulfill prophecy, I don't know.

Actually, the Roman may not be judged. He may be the one that recognized that "this truly was the son of God."

Otherwise, the bible does allude to the possibility of different levels of punishment in hell when describing the pharisees, so he may be cut some kind of slack if he ends up condemned, and it was some kind of act of kindness

Answer 5

Jesus was already dead. This is why blood and water poured from the wound, and why everyone wondered at how he died so quickly. Now, as for the thieves, their legs were broken to speed up the dying process (by asphixiation) so as not to profane the Sabbath. However, this occured at sunset, so the theives in reality died at the beginning of the Sabbath.

Answer 6

Jesus was already dead by time the solider peirced Him. thats a fulfillment of prophecy.

Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.
Zec 12:11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.



the fact that He was dead was the water and blood that spilled out. after death the blood and water separate around the heart muscle. also they broke the legs of the other two people being crucified.

John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
John 19:35 And he that saw [it] bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
John 19:36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
John 19:37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced

Answer 7

The Roman soldier did not kill Jesus. He thrust his sword into the side of Jesus to make sure Jesus was dead, but his sword did not kill Jesus. Clearly the Bible states that Jesus gave up His spirit and said "It is finished." Jesus clearly said, "He had the power to lay down His life and He had the power to take it up again." The Bible says "it pleased God to bruise Him." Jesus died for us. God killed Jesus. Jesus is God. Only God can kill God. Jesus will judge that Roman soldier and His judgment will be just. Only God knows the heart of man and what that soldier felt. God will judge the heart of man.

Answer 8

It was so the bodies would not remain on the cross on a High Holiday.
please see John 19:31-34.

Answer 9

The Roman soldier, whose name is Longinus, later converted to Christianity, and eventuallly died a martyr.

To read the complete account, go here:

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintl56.htm

Answer 10

i may be wrong about this but i seem to recall reading that jesus never had his legs broken which was customary for hanging. this brings on death sooner as the person cannotsupport themselves and sufficate rather quickly. so...i dont think much compassion was taking place.