[Cicero]

I have heard most of these details before. It's true that the wrist and hand could be considered as one part. The Shroud of Turin shows wounds in the wrists. Many years ago I heard that nails through the palms would not hold the weight of a body. One would have to postulate ropes around the wrists in that case, because nails through the palms would not hold.

It was usual for criminals to carry only the cross piece. If we work from the gospel account, however, one could postulate one possible reason why Jesus might have carried the whole cross. The two thieves crucified with him were scheduled to die, so the uprights would have been in place at Golgotha. But there may not have been a third upright in place because only two criminals were expected to die. Jesus was brought before Pilate at the last moment, and even after that it seems evident that Pilate hoped that a scourging would satisfy the Jewish leaders and He would not have to be crucified.

That would explain why Jesus had to carry the whole cross, if He did. Either that extra burden or the prior scourging would also explain why He needed help to carry the cross.

It seems likely that a Roman cross was used, because the gospel accounts say that some wrote and affixed to the cross over Jesus' head "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum." That implies that the upright piece went above the cross piece, as it is usually portrayed with INRI written on it.

[curmudgeonII]

... only two criminals were expected to die.

Probably three were scheduked to die, which includes Barabbas.

[skr]

Thank you for posting this. A dramatization can convey a lot, but not like this. It makes it even harder to conceive that anyone would willingly go through this horror. But He did, and we can never, ever repay Him. We'll have all of eternity to thank Him in a perfect language and it will never be enough. Praise a most merciful God!

[xJones]

It seems likely that a Roman cross was used, because the gospel accounts say that some wrote and affixed to the cross over Jesus' head "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum." That implies that the upright piece went above the cross piece, as it is usually portrayed with INRI written on it.

You had other good points, Cicero, about the full cross and not just the cross beam. I have to agree with you.