10. Jesus is crucified. Luke 23:33-34

33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals-one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

“Jesus is Crucified”

Acrylic on canvas 

Carol Key 

Crucifixion was perhaps the harshest punishment imaginable, reserved for the lowest of society—slaves, foreigners, revolutionaries, and vicious criminals. The English word “excruciating” is derived from crucifixion, indicative of this drawn-out form of suffering. Jesus’ cross was probably a Tau cross (T-shaped), rather than the Latin cross seen widely today. The vertical portion, or stipes, remain permanently embedded in the ground, while the horizontal patibulum is carried uphill by the accused. On this cross-beam, a sign or titulus notes the occurrence of a trial and the violation—Jesus’ reads, “This is the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:38) 
 
Jesus is thrown down to be nailed to the patibulum on the ground. Most likely, the nails are driven through Jesus’ wrists, as nails through the hands presumably cannot support the weight of the arms and body without tearing through the flesh. Instead, placement at the wrist bones in the lower part of the hand can support the body, keeping Him nailed to the cross. 
 
The seven- to nine-inch-long nails injure or sever the median nerve in the hands upon entry, and near-constant pain tears up Jesus’ arms. With Jesus’ wrists nailed to the patibulum, the guards lift it into place on the stipes, and the full weight of His body wrenches downward, likely dislocating His shoulders and elbows (Psalm 22:14), and tearing deeper into His nailed wrists. This distension stretches Jesus’ arms by at least six inches beyond their normal length. 
 
The tops of Jesus’ feet are likely nailed with His knees bent at a near-90-degree angle. His ankles support the weight of His body, which shifts down on the nails, though they do not tear through the tissue as with the hands. The nail inflicts nerve damage and subsequent pain. 
 
In considering how to visually interpret this passage, I hoped to give the viewer a unique perspective. Are we viewing as a bird flying overhead? Is Jesus having an out of body experience? Is this God as he watches his Son fulfill His prophecy? It's for the viewer to decide. There's a haunting darkness but light begins to color the scene.

—Carol Key