Joh 19:18 | TNotes | STEP | 19:18 None of the Gospel writers dwell on the details of being nailed ... to the cross because they were well known and horrific. The soldiers used the cross as a means of torture; they wanted victims to survive for a while, in some cases for days. Because the Sabbath would begin at dusk (19:31 ), they expedited Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus had been thoroughly beaten with stone- or metal-tipped whips, so his back was thoroughly lacerated, and he was bleeding profusely.

‏ John 19:18

19:18 ^a None of the Gospel writers dwell on the details of being nailed ... to the cross because they were well known and horrific. The soldiers used the cross as a means of torture; they wanted victims to survive for a while, in some cases for days. Because the Sabbath would begin at dusk (19:31 ^b), they expedited Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus had been thoroughly beaten with stone- or metal-tipped whips, so his back was thoroughly lacerated, and he was bleeding profusely.