The theory is that Jesus didn’t die on the cross. He survived the beatings and crucifixion was put in a cool tomb, and that revived Him. He then pushed away from the stone at the entrance of the tomb that was watched by a Roman soldier with the promise of death from his superiors should anyone tamper with the tomb. Then made His presence to His disciples as the Risen Messiah. Let’s look into this “theory” and it’ an impossibility.
First Jesus suffered six trials, trials in which He was beaten severely; Matthew 26: 65-67 (NIV)
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67 Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
Then Jesus suffered “scourging.” This was done with a whip that had bits of metal and glass embedded in it on several leather straps extending from it. He was tied down and hit over 30 times with it. When anyone was hit with these tools of torture, they would have the flesh opened and ripped off, sometimes exposing internal organs and bones. Not everyone escaped this punishment alive!
A crown of thorns was jammed into His head undoubtedly opening up His skin, and would cause excessive bleeding. Have you even nicked yourself shaving? Matthew 27: 27-31 (NIV)
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Now the crucifixion! I am assuming that most know the details of that barbaric punishment. This torture is almost unfathomable. His wrists were nailed to the cross, and His shoulders would have been dislocated when the piece was risen into place. His feet were nailed to a small foot shelf, and Jesus would have to push up on them just to breathe. Of course with all the bleeding He would soon become dehydrated. His chest cavity filled with body fluids. John 19: 28-30 (NIV)
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
That point was when Jesus’ heart ruptured causing the fluids to enter His chest cavity. A soldier then rammed a spear through His side and “water and blood” flowed out. John 19: 33-37
33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”
Jesus’ body was then brought to the tomb and was in there for three days unattended by anyone including physicians.
Then there would be the moving of the large stone. With a Roman Guard sitting idly by knowing he would suffer the same punishment Jesus had if anyone should steal the body!
Last but not least, Jesus would have to be mobile up and walking in such a state of disfigurement and obvious wounds that would be impossible for any mortal to do so! Try walking with just a sprained ankle! Then He met his disciples in that state of appearance. No wonder they were not certain it was their Lord. God is praised our Savior has risen!
So much for the “swoon theory!”
God Bless
Brian Mason
Beacon Apologetics 