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727. Executions Outside the Walls

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible

By: James M. Freeman

Narrator: Chris Genthree

• 1 min. read • grade level: 10

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Matthew 27:31³¹And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:31). After that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

See also Mark 15:20²⁰And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15:20); Luke 23:26²⁶And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. (Luke 23:26); John 19:16¹⁶Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. (John 19:16).

Mark says that they led him out. So in the Epistle to the Hebrews it is said that Jesus “suffered without the gate” (Heb. 13:12¹²Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. (Hebrews 13:12)). Capital punishments among the Jews were executed outside the boundaries of camps or the walls of cities. See Leviticus 24:14¹⁴Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. (Leviticus 24:14); Numbers 15:35-36³⁵And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. ³⁶And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses. (Numbers 15:35‑36); 1 Kings 21:13¹³And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. (1 Kings 21:13); Acts 7:58⁵⁸And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. (Acts 7:58). The Romans also observed the same custom, particularly in the crucifixion of malefactors.

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Manners and Customs of the Bible

• 720. Peter in the Palace

• 721. The Porch

• 722. Position of the Accused

• 723. The Prisoner Released

• 724. Scourging

• 725. The Roman Cohort

• 726. The Robe

• 727. Executions Outside the Walls

• 728. Place of Capital Punishment

• 729. Stupefying Potion

• 730. Crucifixion

• 731. The Guard

• 732. The Tablet on the Cross

• 733. The Veil of the Temple

• 734. The "Door" of the Sepulcher

• 735. Sealing the Sepulcher

• 736. The Roof Broken Up

• 737. Boat Cushion

• 738. Tombs for Dwellings

• 739. Diligent Hand Washing

• 740. Corban

• 741. Standing During Prayer

• 742. Mite Farthing

• 743. Night Watches

• 744. An Exceptional Custom Pitcher

• 745. The "Upper Room"

• 746. Mode of Eating

• 747. Counselor

• 748. Wives of Priests

• 749. Naming the Child