oldfella1962
Senior Member
Wow this theory really blows my mind, but here it is: Doctor Bart Ehrman - religious historian or something like that - posits that while researching Roman crucifixion procedures Dr. Ehrman discovered that Jesus would not have had a proper burial in a tomb or otherwise. If you did something bad enough to be crucified (treasonous crimes most likely) your body would be left on the cross to decompose, as a deterrent to anybody thinking about committing similar crimes. Common criminals wouldn't be crucified. Could Pontious Pilate have been willing or even able to make an exception just for Jesus? Not very likely.
Thus, Jesus body would not be taken anywhere for burial preparation then placed in a tomb. Could it have been stolen off the cross? Again, not likely.
Also "the empty tomb" that signifies that Jesus was resurrected would not be the big "selling point" of anybody trying to spread the word about the divinity of their savior. Showing people an empty tomb would only stir up questions like maybe Jesus body was stolen, or they have the wrong tomb, or his followers are crazy, or whatever. The reason for an empty tomb being Jesus went up to heaven wouldn't make sense or seem believable.
Anyway, research Doctor Bart Ehrman for more details. The guy is calm, rational, and dedicated to finding the facts as best he can.
Thus, Jesus body would not be taken anywhere for burial preparation then placed in a tomb. Could it have been stolen off the cross? Again, not likely.
Also "the empty tomb" that signifies that Jesus was resurrected would not be the big "selling point" of anybody trying to spread the word about the divinity of their savior. Showing people an empty tomb would only stir up questions like maybe Jesus body was stolen, or they have the wrong tomb, or his followers are crazy, or whatever. The reason for an empty tomb being Jesus went up to heaven wouldn't make sense or seem believable.
Anyway, research Doctor Bart Ehrman for more details. The guy is calm, rational, and dedicated to finding the facts as best he can.