In addition to the point mentioned earlier, that Jesus was worshiped by early believers as deity, Pliny also reports (59)an oath taken by believers not to commit sin, that typifies Jesus’ ethical teachings. Additionally, Pliny tells us (60)that true believers could not be enticed or forced to worship the gods, and (61)that they worshiped on a certain day of the week before dawn, both of which also reflect Jesus’ teachings.
Lastly, the Gospel of Truthadds two other items. (62)Jesus taught his listeners about his Father and (63)Jesus realized that his death was the basis for the life of many people. The Death of Jesus
From the early creed in 1 Corinthians 11:23ff. we learn (64)that Jesus attended a dinner (65)on the evening on which he was betrayed. At this meal he (66)gave thanks for the food, and (67)shared both bread and drink, (68)which he referred to as the sacrifice of his body and blood for sin.
(69)The Jewish leaders determined that Jesus was guilty of teaching spiritual heresy and of leading Israel to apostasy (Talmud; cf. Apocryphon of John). (70)As a result, the Jews sent out a herald who proclaimed that Jesus would be stoned for his teachings, though anyone who wished was invited to defend him. However, no one came forward to speak for him (Talmud).
Jesus (71)appeared before Pilate (creeds: Acts 3:13; 13:28) and (72)made a good confession (creed: 1 Tim. 6:13), which may have been an affirmation of his messiahship. (73)After being persecuted (Gospel of Truth) and (74)as a result of his teachings (Lucian), (75)Jesus was put to death (creeds: 1Co 15:3; Acts 3:13–15; 13:27–29; 1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 4:25; 1 Tim 2:6; Gospel of Thomas; Treatise on Resurrection). He died (76)at the hands of the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate (Talmud; Ignatius), (77)during the local rule of Herod (Ignatius). (78)More specifically, Jesus was crucified (Josephus; Talmud; Lucian; Gospel of Truth; Acts of Pilate; creeds: Acts 2:23, 36; 4:10; 5:30; 10:39; Phil. 2:6f.; Ignatius; Barnabas; Justin), (79)by wicked men (creed: Acts 2:23), (80)in the city of Jerusalem (creed: Acts 13:27–28; cf. 10:39), (81)during the reign of Roman Emperor Tiberius (Tacitus; Phlegon).
Even some details of Jesus’ crucifixion are provided by these sources. (82)The event reportedly occurred on Passover Eve (Talmud). (83)Victims of crucifixion were apparently made to carry at least a portion of their crosses to the site, which sometimes resulted in stumbling to the ground (shroud). (84)Jesus had his wrists and feet nailed to the cross (cf. Tacitus; Gospel of Truth; Acts of Pilate; Ignatius; Justin; cf. Shroud; Yohanan). (85)Crucifixion could also involve the administering of a coup de grace, such as breaking the victim’s legs (cf. Yohanan with ancient historical reports) in order to hasten death by asphyxiation, (86)which is the normal cause of death in crucifixion, as revealed by the need for the person to push up and down in order to breathe (cf. shroud; Yohanon with modern medical studies).
As long as the shroud is not a fake, and especially if it is Jesus’ burial garment, it confirms several details of crucifixion involving more-or-less uncommon procedures. These include (87)the “crown of thorns,” (88)the severity of the beating and whipping, (89)the absence of broken ankles, (90)the post-mortem chest wound, and (91)the blood and watery fluid that flowed from the wound.
