Q - Was Jesus really crucified?

Reference: Summary from public lecture by Dr. Zakir Naik (http://www.irf.net/)

Let’s see together the answer from the bible…

1- Crucifixion is the center of Christianity religion, as it’s mentioned in the bible:

12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [Corinthians1 15:12-14]

But, let's see if Jesus Christ was really crucified and raised again from dead:

2- It’s said in the bible, if someone died, he will be converted to Spiritual body, but did Jesus converted to a spiritual body after his risen from dead or not?

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  [Corinthians1 15:44-46]

35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. [Luke 20: 33-36]

3- Did the disciples saw him on the cross?

-          The answer is NO, they already ran away:

56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.  [Mathew 26:56]

4- Does a young man can die from hitting him by hands?

-          NO

Is the scene was highly dark and sight was not clear?

-          YES

Is it most probably that they didn’t see him if he died or not?

-          Yes, it’s possible.

3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. [John 19:3]

44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.  [Luke 23:44,45]

5- Were the Jews in hurry to remove Jesus before Saturday?

-          Yes, and because of that they broke the other 2 men’s legs because they were still alive !!

But why the other 2 men on the cross didn’t die and Jesus died after 3 hours only hanging on the cross !!!

And from which place on human body came water and blood !!!

And how a dead body bleeds if there is no pulse and his heart is stopped !!!

-          Unless he was still alive !!

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:

34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

[John 19: 31-34]

6- Why Mary Magdalene was in hurry to go next Sunday to see Jesus?

-          Is it possible that when they buried him on Friday night she saw signs of life?

Why did she buy sweet spices? Do Jewish or Christian rub their dead after burying them by 2 days? Did someone ever done such thing before?

-          No, unless she knows that he is still alive.

1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. [Mark 16:1]

7- Does a spirit remove its linen clothes and lay them in one place? Does a spirit need to move the stone to go out, or he can go through the walls directly?

-          Unless he still alive as human, (knowing that stone was moved by the angle).

1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. [John 20:1]

6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. [John 20:6,7]

8- Why Mary didn’t recognize Jesus from the first time? Why he was disguised as gardener? If he is a spirit, Jews can’t catch him again and can’t kill him again as human dies only once as Jesus said?

-          Unless he is still alive, and he’s afraid that they may saw him and kill him again.

15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.  [John 20:15]

9- Why Jesus said to Mary “Touch me not (i.e. hug me)”? Is he still feeling pain from his wounds? Does a spirit feel pain from wounds?

-          Unless he’s still alive.

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. [John 20:17]

10- Why the disciples were terrified? Did they think that they will see a spirit but they saw a human? What does this sentence mean “supposed that they had seen a spirit”? Does it mean that they saw a human not a spirit? Why Jesus asked them to touch his hand and feet? Does he mean to show him that he is still flesh and blood and still human being? Does a spirit eat a broiled fish and honeycomb?

-          Unless, he is still alive

36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

43 And he took it, and did eat before them. [Luke 24:36-43]

11- Jesus said that you will have the sign like the sign of Jona:

-          Was Jonas alive on the ship? Yes, Alive

-          Was Jonas alive inside the whale? Yes, Alive

-          Was Jonas alive when the whale throw him out? Yes, Alive

-          Did Jonas stay 3 days and 3 nights? Yes.

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [Mathew 12: 38-40]

Then, how come that Jesus died on the cross and then was dead in the tomb, then a spirit when he raised from the dead? And from Friday night to Sunday dawn, it’s only 1 day and 2 nights, NOT 3 days and 3 nights. Unless...

Unless, Jesus was alive on the cross….

And alive inside the heart of the earth “tomb”…..

And alive when he came out.

Then WHAT:

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. [John 21:4]

50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. [Luke 24:50-51]

Jesus stayed with his disciples till Monday and then was carried up into heaven, from Friday night till Monday, It’s 3 days (Sat, Sun, Mon) and 3 nights (Fri, Sat, Sun), and he was really alive on cross, and inside tomb and when he went out, then the sign was totally fulfilled.

12- Finally, if Jesus was not crucified, then how Christians will get the eternal life??

Jesus (PBUH) already answered this question: “Keep the commandments.”

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [Mathew 19:16-18]