Proof That Jesus Was Crucified and Died | Debunking Islam (VIDEO)

The truth of Christianity rests on the evidence of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In a world filled with numerous false religions, faiths, and the freedom to create one, what sets Christianity apart, aside from its sacrificial and revival claim of Jesus, is its ability to provide proof of it.  

TRUTH: JESUS DIED BY CRUCIFIXION

We know from the Bible that Jesus died. We can read the account here in Matthew 27:32-56.

NON-BELIEVER CLAIM: JESUS NEVER DIED

           Yet, there are those who believe that he did not actually die. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community, a branch of Islam founded in the 19^th century, believed that Jesus “survived the crucifixion” and headed to India.

Ahmadi Muslims hold the unique belief that Jesus (peace be upon him) survived the crucifixion and travelled towards India to continue his ministry among the Lost Tribes of Israel. Furthermore, they claim that his tomb, containing his body, has been recently re-discovered in India where it can be seen to this day. Ahmadi Muslims also assert that this belief is not only upheld by the Holy Quran and the Sayings of Muhammad, but even by the Holy Bible itself.[4]

But Jesus did die. The soldiers broke the bones of the two criminals around Jesus, to speed up their dying process. They did not do it to Jesus (cite verse) because he was already dead. To confirm his death, they pierced his side (cite verse.)

This was predicted in (cite Isaiah verse)

• Outside Source: Journal of the American Medical Association

           The Journal of the American Medical Association also concludes that Jesus was already dead, prior to being removed from the cross. This backs up the biblical claim entirely.

The scourging produced deep stripe like lacerations and appreciable blood loss, and it probably set the stage for hypovolemic shock, as evidenced by the fact that Jesus was too weakened to carry the crossbar (patibulum) to Golgotha. At the site of crucifixion, his wrists were nailed to the patibulum and, after the patibulum was lifted onto the upright post (stipes), his feet were nailed to the stipes. The major pathophysiologic effect of crucifixion was an interference with normal respirations. Accordingly, death resulted primarily from hypovolemic shock and exhaustion asphyxia. Jesus’ death was ensured by a thrust of a soldiers spear into his side. Modern medical interpretation of the historical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead when taken down from the cross.[5]

TRUTH: BLOOD AND WATER POURED OUT FROM HIS PIERCED SIDE

NON-BELIEVER CLAIM: CORPSES DON’T BLEED

We already discussed that Jesus was pierced on his side to ensure death. In John 19:34, it says that his piercing brought “a sudden flow of blood and water.” But the Ahmadiyya Muslim argue that because blood came out, that is proof that Jesus did not die. “Corpses do not bleed,” they’ve said.

“Blood pouring out is a sign of intact circulation, with the spear injuring an arteriole. Note the words ‘sudden flow’ which implies blood pressure. The ‘water’ was perhaps pleural fluid, present between the rib cage and lungs.” Islam Amahdiyya Muslim Community

• Outside Source: Journal of American Medical Association

But Jesus hung vertically on a cross, and did not die flat on the ground. So when he was pierced, it makes sense that gravity would allow blood to come out. The JAMA findings do not argue against his loss of blood and water, but rather describe how it came out.

Therefore, the water probably represented serous pleural and pericardial fluid, and would have preceded the flow of blood and been smaller in volume than the blood. Perhaps in the setting of hypovolemia and impending acute heart failure, pleural and pericardial effusions may have developed and would have added to the volume of apparent water. The blood, in contrast, may have originated from the right atrium or the right ventricle (or perhaps from a hemopericardium.[7]

TRUTH: JESUS WAS ALREADY DEAD BEFORE HE WAS PIERCED. THE ROMANS JUST WANTED CONFIRMATION

NON-BELIEVER CLAIM: JESUS WASN’T STABBED IN THE CHEST, SO HE DIDN’T DIE

In addition to finding false fault with the blood flow from Jesus, the Ahmadiyya community also argued that if the soldiers really wanted Jesus dead, “they would have stabbed into the front of the chest to injure the heart.” Yet the JAMA’s finding show that even though he was pierced from the side to confirm his death, that spear could have reached his heart.

Clearly, the weight of historical and medical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead before the wound to his side was inflicted and supports the traditional view that the spear, thrust between his right rib, probably perforated not only the right lung but also the pericardium and heart and thereby ensured his death. Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern medical knowledge.[8]

But either way, both the Bible and the medical journal say he was already dead before he was pierced. In Mark 15:44-45[9] Pilate wanted to confirm that Jesus was dead, before allowing Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus’ body. When Jesus’ death was confirmed by a centurion, Pilate released the body to Joseph.

But What If…?

Believers know that Jesus was and is God. At any point of time, he could have certainly put a halt to his death. But why waste the time to suffer through public humiliation, merciless beatings, have a crown made of thorns placed on his head, carry his own crown with a weak body, have his hands and feet nailed to it…only to just decide he’d rather live? Especially knowing that three days later, he’d come back to life anyways? Might as well fulfill what his whole ministry was meant for…his death and resurrection to save all of us!

In the Muslim faith, Jesus is believed to be nothing more than a great prophet; purely human. We already mentioned that Jesus was severely beaten, forced to wear a crown of thorns, made to carry a heavy cross (with his body so weak, that he needed assistance), was nailed by his hands and feet to it, and had a spear stuck through his side.

Logically speaking, what human could survive any of that? And if Jesus -the human only- did, the soldiers weren’t letting him go. Pilate wanted to ensure he was dead.

So yes, we’ve established he died. But lets say, for some odd reason, he was still alive as he headed for burial. Not sure how this human Jesus, who was wrapped in “cloth and spices and placed in a sealed tomb for three days”, without any “food, water or medical treatment,”[10] would have the strength to unwrap his burial cloths, roll a massive stone away and hop on out of this tomb. Plus, Jesus would have to make it pass the Roman soldiers who were guarding the entrance. 

It’s almost as if that could only happen by a miracle…performed by God.

Thankfully, Jesus didn’t stay dead for long. Click here or below for the evidence behind the resurrection of Jesus!

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[1] “BibleGateway.” John 19 NIV – – Bible Gateway. Accessed April 17, 2018. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John 19&version=NIV.

[2] Edwards, William D., MD, Wesley J. Gabel, MDiv, and Floyd E. Hosmer, MS,AMI. “On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ.” JAMA Network. Accessed April 17, 2018. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/403315?redirect=true, as quoted in Deem, Richard. “Evidence for God from Science God And Science.org.” Evidence for God from Science. Accessed April 18, 2018. http://www.godandscience.org/.

[3] Psalm 34:20 He Protects All His Bones, Not One of Them Will Be Broken. Accessed April 21, 2018. http://biblehub.com/psalms/34-20.htm.

[4] Islam Ahmadiyya – Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – Al Islam Online – Official Website. Accessed April 18, 2018. https://www.alislam.org/topics/jesus/.

[5] Edwards, William D., MD, Wesley J. Gabel, MDiv, and Floyd E. Hosmer, MS,AMI. “On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ.” JAMA Network. Accessed April 17, 2018. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/403315?redirect=true.

[6] Islam Ahmadiyya – Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – Al Islam Online – Official Website. Accessed April 18, 2018. https://www.alislam.org/topics/jesus/.

[7] Edwards, William D., MD, Wesley J. Gabel, MDiv, and Floyd E. Hosmer, MS,AMI. “On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ.” JAMA Network. Accessed April 17, 2018. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/403315?redirect=true, as quoted in Deem, Richard. “Evidence for God from Science God And Science.org.” Evidence for God from Science. Accessed April 18, 2018. http://www.godandscience.org/.

[8] Ibid.,

[9] “BibleGateway.” Mark 15 NIV – – Bible Gateway. Accessed April 18, 2018. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark 15&version=NIV.

[10] “The Resurrection: Myth or History.” Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Accessed April 21, 2018. https://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/april-2011/the-resurrection-myth-or-history/.