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glyn · 09-09-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokensickle

When on the cross, one of the criminals hanging there with Jesus hurled insults at him. "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other one spoke up and rebuked the first, saying," Have you no fear of God? You're getting the same punishment as he is. Ours is only fair; we're getting what we deserve for what we did. But this man did nothing wrong." Then he said, "Yeshua, remember me when you come as King." Yeshua said to him,"Yes! I promise you that today you will be with me in paradise."

That is how 'John' reported it in the gospel ascribed to him.
It is not what happened. The three who were crucified together were 'Jesus', 'Judas Iscariot' and 'Simon'. Describing the other two as common criminals is at best contentious as they were all in the same religious sect. The Jewish Council was the Sanhedrin and they were violently opposed to the sect. It was they who called in Pilate. All three survived the crucifixion due to the timing of the punishment. Jesus appeared dead but the other 2 had their legs broken and all three were thrown into a latrine as Judaic law would not permit them to remain on the cross so close to the sabbath. Simon was a Magi and administered medicine to Jesus, reviving him. Judas was thrown from the latrine into the adjoining ravine where he 'burst assunder'. Jesus was soon able to walk again but Simon (at this time probably his closest friend) needed tending until his broken bones healed. Simons standing rose considerably for saving Jesus from apparent death. In fact it had been arranged for somebody to administer a drug to him when on the cross by means of a sponge to the mouth. Jesus of course was in on the plot, so took it even though it tasted foul.