Why did the romans kill Jesus on a cross?

Question

It just seems a bit over the top, why didn't they just stab him with a sword or something.

Answer 1

lol sorry just read your question and had to lkaugh

Answer 2

It was not the Romans, but the Jews on the Request of the Temple Rabbis. The Jews Reported Christ to the Romans and demanded Punishment for breaking there Laws and Roman Law. Pilate The Roman Governor Adjudicated on the Case and said he could find no wrong and said he should be let free,but the Jews demanded Punishment, so for the sake of Expediency Pilate did not want to upset the Jews and instigate a Revolution, so he had Christ Flogged.But that was not satisfactory for the Jewish Rabbis and they demanded Crucifiction. So Pilate Ceremoniously washed his Hands of it and handed Christ to the Jews and gave them Permission to do what they wanted to Christ.So Christ was Executed by the Jews Overseen by the Roman Soldiers. At the End Christ was Finished off By a Lance from a Roman Soldier. This was the way Romans executed People by Crucifiction, a slow Death in the burning Sun.

Answer 3

Jesus was crucified, along with a bunch of thieves, rapists, murderers etc at Golgotha. Crucifying was a great way of executing somebody when you wanted to hear them repent or beg for mercy as they died, it is slow, torturous- great public spectacle with very little associated cost -burning someone to death is a lot quicker and wastes a lot of wood!

Remember that his crime was primarily a crime against the Jews, not the Romans, who didn't take Jesus very seriously at the time, it was the jewish temple priests and their followers who barracked for his blood, not the Romans- The romans however, very likely orchestrated the King of The Jews sign, the nails and the crown of thorns in order to mock the Jewish people and religion- which they hated.

contrary to what many are saying, it was in fact not normal to nail somebody to a cross, rope was customarily used even for the most disgustiing or traitorous of crimes. The reason you wouldn't nail someone to the cross? Because it is in fact a mercy in disguise, nailing induces savage bleeding which leads to a quicker death, also, it is not efficient as the nailed victim can struggle and *extreeeeeemely painfully* free themselves. And the point of Crucifixion was the length of time it took to die, which could be a week if you get a drink of water every couple of days. Nailing Jesus meant that he didn't didn't last nearly as long... no wonder he didn't bleed out of the wound in his side! All the people around Jesus would have been given the ultimate mercy when the Romans and onlookers tired by having their legs broken, until then, their lives could be completely controlled by their executioners, onlookers and of course, the mockers.

And Hook Shot, i believe saying that no one who was killed on the cross was tortured as much as Jesus is more of a long shot then a hook shot, I respect that this is what you believe, but come on, the romans loved gory deaths, so did the roman catholics after them. Jesus was definately treated especially bad, but the Romans wouldn't have been treating other criminals that they percieved as traitors particularly well either. Jesus was a Jew, and a traitor in their eyes- he denied their Gods so yes, he would have been treated badly- but they had no other special form of hatred for Jesus like the Jewish temple leaders and their followers -they crucified thousands of people, it was a form of interrogation used on the gauls as well, when they were interrogating gauls on the cross, do you think they pulled any punches?

And to the guy below me, i wasn't aware the jews carried out the torture- i'd be interested if there was any biblical or non biblical evidence for that? Because if so it makes sense why it was so barbaric and yet, inefficient- I did not think the Romans would have made the mistake of lacerating and nailing a person they intended to crucify.

Answer 4

Crucifiction was the common form of Roman execution. But the Romans did not kill Jesus. They tortured and crucified Him. They generally came around and broke the legs of the crucified the next day to end the torture on the cross. Jesus died of his own volition or "Gave up the Ghost" after saying "It is finished" after about six hours on the cross. His legs were not broken. A roman soldier did stab him in the side with a spear to assure that he was already dead.

Answer 5

they couldnt just stab him with a sword for two main reasons. The romans didnt like someone else proclaiming that they are stronger than the romans themselves so they had to make an example,that was my first reason and i actually have three reasons. The second reason is that it was a basic form of execution back then. If you remember correctly there was also a murder and a thief with him. The third is that Jesus had to pay the ultimate pain. He suffered more than anyone else. No one else who went through crusifiction was torchered as much.

Answer 6

Cross was used often. So people could see that to die by some simple quick stabbing was not "good enough" for those who committed crimes against the roman laws and dictates, also thier allies. Kept uprisings at a minimum if people could see a huge area full of thier friends dying from stealing bread or money or whatever and that it took days. DAYS. no hard work involved, just a few nails.

Answer 7

They did stab him to make sure he was dead. The cross was not used just to kill, it was used to tourcher people. This was called crucification, and is what the Jews were shouting to do to Jesus, so, that's why he was hung on the cross, instead of just being stabbed. Plus, there was a prophesy which said he would be crucified.

Answer 8

Because killing someone on a cross acted as a warning to other people. Just stabbing someone in an alleyway and dumping their body isn't a public demonstration of how criminal they are. Crucifixion was a way of telling the local population 'Don't f*** with us, or you'll get this too.'

Answer 9

The cross had originally been prepared for Barabbas, a political rebel who had committed murder.
The time was Passover. It was a custom of the Romans to release one prisoner during the time of the Feast. Pilate knew Jesus was delivered into his hands out of envy by the religious leaders. He was confident the crowd would call for His release. Instead the crowd, incited by the religious leaders, called for Barabbas to be released and cried out for Jesus to be crucified.
Rather than take the risk of a riot breaking out, Pilate gave the people what they wanted.

Answer 10

It was the Roman practice at the time. It was meant as a deterent to crime by make a public spectacle of convicted criminals. And they would also attach a note as to their crime. That's why a sign was place on the cross by the Romans which said "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." In other words he was convicted of treason.

Answer 11

Crucifixion is the cruelest form of punishment known to man. You are slowly suffocating to death. The nails are driven through the flesh, right where the nerves are gathered together. It is a prolonged and painful death. The Romans were masters at cruelty and suffering. They did what they knew best.