Jesus (as) – is he dead or alive?

Perhaps the most controversial historical event within the Abrahamic traditions is the story of Jesus (as). Unfortunately, the facts of this story have been distorted and skewed toward certain manufactured beliefs. Nevertheless, the truth about the life and death of Jesus (as) quite literally shapes the belief systems of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The most contentious topic is related to the life or death of Jesus. Crucifixion was a direct threat to the life of Jesus (as); it was employed as a brutal and shameful method to put criminals to death. This form of punishment pre-dated the Romans, having been used by the Assyrians and Babylonians. The Romans only became aware of the practice during the Punic Wars (1). The fact that crucifixion implied a punishment of death is the beginning of the tension between Abrahamic traditions as it is the foundation of Judaism’s argument as to why Jesus was not the awaited Messiah.

Simply put, a death through crucifixion would most certainly make Jesus (as) a false prophet. Imagine a person alleging to be a prophet and Messiah who then dies a torturous death as a criminal without ever revealing his teaching to his people. Of course, this serves as the pretext for Jews to reject Jesus as their Messiah. However, if Jesus did not die on the cross, then not only would he be vindicated from the accusations of the Jews, but he would also be absolved of the absurd pagan traditions attached to him by the early Christians, which include concepts like original sin and being of divine origin, i.e., the literal son of God.

Since popular belief is, in fact, that Jesus died and was subsequently either resurrected or rose to the heavens or, according to the Jews, just died, it is a far more interesting topic to discuss how he would have lived. In reality, Jesus’ survival on the cross is a much easier fact to deduce than his death. Furthermore, the claims made about Jesus after his alleged death gave rise to many, if not all, pagan traditions that have seeped into Christianity.

So how can anyone claim Jesus survived? In Matthew, we learn the following: (i) Pilate’s wife urged him to leave Jesus alone as he was a just man, and she had suffered nightmares on account of his trial, (ii) Pilate personally believed in the innocence of Jesus and that it was the envy of the Jews stirring up trouble, and (iii) dreams were used before to protect the life of Jesus life when Joseph received a vision of Herod’s ill intentions to kill the young Jesus, and Joseph then took Jesus and Mary to Egypt (2).

Based on this evidence thus far, we are inclined to believe that Pontius Pilate was, in fact, committed to attempting, at least, to prevent Jesus’ death. The final facts about the ordeal of crucifixion lend further credence to Pilate’s intentions. The trial itself was prolonged until a Friday, which is the beginning of the Sabbath. It is common knowledge that Jewish law stipulated that nobody could be kept on the cross once the Sabbath began. Thus, at the very most, it can be proved that Jesus was on the cross for only a few hours, perhaps three hours or so (3). Killing someone on the cross in a few hours is nearly impossible. This would be absurd as the intent of crucifixion is long-term torture and humiliation, followed by death.

Duration on the cross is not the only evidence of Pilate’s silent protection. We also know from the Bible that Jesus’ legs were not broken like those of the thieves hanging next to him (4). This makes it that much more likely that Jesus would have survived. We must also not forget perhaps the most crucial evidence in the Bible: when Jesus’ side was pierced, water and blood gushed forth (5). This is irrefutable evidence that Jesus was alive, as his blood had not begun to congeal.

The final evidence related to this ordeal is Jesus’ ‘faithful disciple, Joseph of Arimathea, whom we know to be the one who swiftly beseeched Pilate to remove the body of Jesus. Pilate had agreed even though that was against the custom (6). Joseph had arranged the famous tomb we all know of, hewn out of rock, in his garden (7). Thus, we know Jesus was not buried as a dead man would be. We also know that Joseph had found a reason to bring a physician, Nicodemus, into consultation (8). It would be most absurd that someone so desperate to carry a dead body home would do so not to bury it but to examine it. We can confidently say Joseph knew Jesus was alive and was in a rush to begin the healing process to prevent death. In the end, we also know that Jesus did return to his disciples, proving to them he was very much alive and well by letting them touch his wounds and sharing a meal with them (9).

Although brief, this article serves to vindicate Jesus of the alleged death on the cross. The seed of doubt in the false story of his death on the cross has been planted. Jesus was not only a holy prophet but he too was saved from death at the hands of disbelieving men, just like the prophets Abraham and Moses before him. The Jews no longer have any claim that their Messiah is yet to come, and the Christians can no longer lay claim to absurd notions of original sin and trinity. The reader is encouraged to read the book “Where did Jesus Die” by J.D. Shams as well as the esteemed book “Jesus in India” (10) written by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah and the second coming of Jesus (as). These two books establish concrete and incontrovertible evidence of the true story of Jesus.

References:

1. Geggel, L. “Jesus wasn’t the only man to be crucified. Here’s the history behind this brutal practice.” Retrieved from Live Science: https://www.livescience.com/65283-crucifixion-history.html [Accessed March 02, 2022].
2. Mathew 27:18, 27:19, 2:13, and John 19:12
3. J. D. Shams. (2017). Where did Jesus die? Pp. 14-15, Twelfth edition, printed in India, 2017, Islam International Publications Ltd.
4. J. D. Shams. (2017). Where did Jesus die? P. 15, Twelfth edition, printed in India, 2017, Islam International Publications Ltd.
5. J. D. Shams. (2017). Where did Jesus die? P. 29, Twelfth edition, printed in India, 2017, Islam International Publications Ltd.
6. J. D. Shams. (2017). Where did Jesus die? P. 15, Twelfth edition, printed in India, 2017, Islam International Publications Ltd.
7. J. D. Shams. (2017). Where did Jesus die? P. 15, Twelfth edition, printed in India, 2017, Islam International Publications Ltd.

Last modified: January 2023