crucifixion

[ kroo-suh-fik-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of crucifying.
2. the state of being crucified.
3. (initial capital letter) the death of Jesus upon the Cross.
4. a picture or other representation of this.
5. severe and unjust punishment or suffering; persecution.

Crucifixion

¹

/ ˌkruːsɪˈfɪkʃən /

noun

1. the Crucifixion
   the crucifying of Christ at Calvary, regarded by Christians as the culminating redemptive act of his ministry
2. a picture or representation of this

crucifixion

²

/ ˌkruːsɪˈfɪkʃən /

noun

1. a method of putting to death by nailing or binding to a cross, normally by the hands and feet, which was widespread in the ancient world

Crucifixion

1. The death of Jesus on the cross. After he had been betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested, Jesus was condemned by his fellow Jews (see also Jews ) as a false Messiah and turned over to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to be crucified. Pilate found no reason to condemn Jesus; he tried to convince the people that it was absurd to regard Jesus as “King of the Jews” and offered to release him. But when the people insisted that Jesus be put to death, Pilate washed his hands to indicate that Jesus' fate was no longer his responsibility and turned Jesus over to be crucified. Roman soldiers then placed a crown of thorns on the head of Jesus and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews.” He was made to carry a wooden cross up the hill of Calvary near Jerusalem (see also Jerusalem ), where he was nailed to the cross and was placed between two thieves, who were also crucified. Shortly before his death, he said, “ Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do .” After his death, the followers of Jesus placed his body in a tomb.

Notes

Jesus had told his disciples that he would sacrifice his life so that believers' sins might be forgiven. Christians (see also Christian ) believe that his death on the cross and his Resurrection three days later make salvation (see also salvation ) possible.

To “wash one's hands of it” means to refuse to take responsibility for an action or event.

Having a “cross to bear” means any painful responsibility that is forced upon one.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crucifixion¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin crucifīxiōn- (stem of crucīfixiō ). See crucifix, -ion

Example Sentences

At the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church’s first Sunday morning mass, Father Eduardo Morales reminded the congregation of the biblical story of Jesus Christ’s ascension—the story of when Jesus left Earth and rose to Heaven after the crucifixion.

From Time

Among other highlights, he notoriously compared criticism of cops during George Floyd protests last summer to the crucifixion of Jesus.

From The Daily Beast

It asks the player to participate in the consensual crucifixion of a convicted murderer who rose to fame as an aspirational moral icon, willing to die for his sins to inspire others.

From Washington Post

You may think crucifixion has gone out of penological style.

From The Daily Beast

Too near for reflection; too far for intervention: on tenter hooks, in fact; a sort of mental crucifixion.

From Project Gutenberg

Stephen began with them, but he came right down to the recent crucifixion, and stirred them up.

From Project Gutenberg

The last eight years of my life have been continual mental starvation and moral crucifixion.

From Project Gutenberg

The central lancet was an extraordinary Crucifixion, somewhat like that at Poitiers.

From Project Gutenberg

She could not see that if he spoke roughly it was only an expression of the smothered pain of his mental crucifixion.

From Project Gutenberg