Articles
Hearing the Crucifixion
We often speak of what the crucifixion and the events immediately prior would have looked like. We do not focus as often on what one would have heard during this tragic event. Perhaps considering this aspect of the death of the Savior of the world will grant us some additional perspective.
It started in the Garden of Gethsemane. As Jesus completed His third prayer, the sound of soldiers echoed amongst the olive trees. The licking of fire from the torches would be audible. We would hear the sound of iron swords clanging against armor. The sound of soldiers spitting and cursing. Then we would hear that last conversation between Jesus and Judas. The sound of a kiss of betrayal upon Jesus’ cheek.
During the trials, Jesus would have issued countless groans, cries, and grunts. During the plethora of beatings Jesus endured, we would repeatedly have heard the sound of skin-to-skin and bone-to-bone contact. The punches, the slaps, and the kicks would have knocked the wind out of Jesus. The greatest man ever would have struggled to regain His breath.
As the Christ was scourged by the carnifex, we would have heard the sound of leather, bone, and metal fragments slamming against His body. We would have heard hundreds cheering, laughing, mocking. Despite that great swell of noise, we would most likely focus on the screams and cries Jesus let out. After all, He was 100% man and men scream when tortured.
We would hear the exasperation of Jesus as the soldiers pressed the crown of thorns upon His head and then the repeated thud of the rod crashing down upon His head.
At the cross, we would have heard the sound of iron tools pounding iron nails through the skin of Jesus. We would have heard the fastening of the patibulum (upper crossbeam) to the staticulum (vertical upright) as Jesus was erected from the Earth. We would have heard the sound of blood dripping from His wounds.
The beating and crucifixion of Jesus is a factual event. The sight would have been gruesome and grotesque, but hearing these noises during Jesus’ passion would have added an extra component of cruelty and emotion to the situation. Hopefully, we consider these horrors and realize anew each moment that God was willing to endure that in order to save us. We are set free because of those groans and agonies. Meditate on these things.
