https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucifix_(Michelangelo)
「天天背起十架」的門徒，對十架及主耶穌受苦受死的認識及感動，是否歷久常新？十字架，依然「永遠是我榮耀」，是我們生活的重心？
受難節、復活節前後，不如定焦十架，重新認識主耶穌的受苦與羞辱，再一次思考兩千多年前的那天，祂為我們所背負的一切。以下內容將陸續發表，部分你耳熟能詳，部分可能你一知半解，甚至從未想過：
1）十架上的耶穌：赤裸的羞辱 （這篇文章的內容）
2）羅馬人的鞭打：超越猶太人「40減1下」的限制
3）雙手被釘之處：不是掌心，而是手腕
4）耶穌受的苦，比一般釘十架的犯人更多、更深
5）十架上的6小時 —— 十架死因的可能性
6）「苦路」 (Via Dolorosa) 十四站的不同版本
7）耶穌的受苦：其他赤裸或掩蓋的事實
十架上的耶穌：赤裸的羞辱
赤裸
釘十架的耶穌是大量藝術品的主題，無論是畫像、雕刻、雕塑或電影。這些作品帶給我們想像及感動，但也多少帶來誤導，例如：我們以為十架上的耶穌雖然受苦，身體還是有所遮蔽，不至一絲不掛的。
描繪耶穌的早期作品可以追溯到公元5世紀。下圖的作品，是雕刻在羅馬 Santa Sabina 大教堂的門上的耶穌及其他兩個犯人，跟大部分的十架作品一樣，他們都穿著纏腰布 (loincloth)：
但我們有足夠理由相信，事實不是這樣。藝術作品中的纏腰布，是為了耶穌的尊嚴而加設的。
不同的文獻都告訴我們，為了達到最大的羞辱和警戒的效果，羅馬時期的十架刑罰（及釘十架前的鞭打），犯人都是赤身露體的[1]Art depicts Jesus in a loincloth on the cross – the brutal truth is he would have been naked：https://theconversation.com/art-depicts-jesus-in-a-loincloth-on-the-cross-the-brutal-truth-is-he-would-have-been-naked-226229。有人提出，羅馬人可能會考慮猶太人的文化背景（對赤身露體的避諱）而讓步，但可能性不大[2]NIV Application Commentary, on John 19, appendix 686 : “This raises the question of whether Jesus was crucified naked. We cannot be certain. This was certainly the Roman habit, but there is also Jewish evidence that Rome made concessions to the Jewish disdain for nudity. Hence Jesus may have worn a loincloth. However, among the earliest church fathers and in early art, Jesus is sometimes depicted as unclothed.”。相反，猶太文化背景下把人赤裸釘十架，羅馬人可能覺得效果會更好。
其實更早期的藝術作品，不乏描寫耶穌或犯人赤裸在十架上的圖像[3]Art depicts Jesus in a loincloth on the cross – the brutal truth is he would have been naked： https://theconversation.com/art-depicts-jesus-in-a-loincloth-on-the-cross-the-brutal-truth-is-he-would-have-been-naked-226229：
更重要的線索，可以在《新約聖經》中找到：
於是將他釘在十字架上，拈鬮分他的衣服，看是誰得甚麼。（《馬可福音》15:24）
《路加福音》23:34 也有類似記載。更詳細的記載在《約翰福音》：
兵丁既然將耶穌釘在十字架上，就拿他的衣服分為四分，每兵一分；又拿他的裡衣，這件裡衣原來沒有縫兒，是上下一片織成的。他們就彼此說：「我們不要撕開，只要拈鬮，看誰得著。」這要應驗經上的話說：他們分了我的外衣，為我的裡衣拈鬮。兵丁果然做了這事。 （《約翰福音》19:23-24）
經文告訴我們，負責把耶穌釘上十字架的兵丁有四個，他們把衣服「分為四分，每兵一分」。這與《使徒行傳》12:4[4]希律拿了彼得，收在監裡，交付四班兵丁看守，每班四個人，意思要在逾越節後把他提出來，當著百姓辦他。 彼得被四名兵丁（「一班」, one squad）看守的情況吻合。
讓我們認識一下當時猶太男子的裝束。他們一般穿五件衣物[5]十字架的嘲弄（二）： https://traditional-odb.org/article/the-mockery-ii/：頭巾 (head covering)、腰帶 (belt)、鞋子 (sandals)、外衣 (outer cloak or robe) 及裡衣 (undergarment or tunic)。不明白背景的話，以為兵丁把耶穌的外套（或某件「衣服」）撕開或剪開四份來分，實在令人摸不著頭腦。事實應該是，四個兵丁瓜分了耶穌的頭巾、腰帶等四件衣物，但以「拈鬮」（即抽籤）的方法去分這件比較貴重的「無縫」裡衣，作爲他們當死刑執行者的「津貼」或「小費」[6]https://bible.fhl.net/new/com.php?book=3&engs=John&chap=19&sec=23&m=0。這件裡衣是「一種襯衣，從頸部遮蓋到膝蓋或踝骨。一般是用比較名貴的料子作成」[7]https://bible.fhl.net/new/com.php?book=3&engs=John&chap=19&sec=23&m=0，NIV Application Commentary 猜想它可能是耶穌的媽媽所造，而「上下一片織成」的意義，可能在於猶太人律法中對「兩樣攙雜料做的衣服」（申22:11）的忌諱[8]NIV Application Commentary, on John 19 : “A more commonplace view, that this was simply a precious item of clothing (made perhaps by his mother?) may be the best way forward. The reason for seamless tunics was for Jews to be assured that no two fabrics were mixed, a practice prohibited under the law (Deut. 22:11).”。犯人被兵丁瓜分了最後擁有的東西 —— 衣服及僅餘的尊嚴，被逼赤裸釘上十架：
「傳統上，十字架的受刑人都是裸身被釘的，所以受刑人的衣服就成為執刑人的所得。」[9]https://bible.fhl.net/new/com.php?book=3&engs=John&chap=19&sec=23&m=0
無意之中，《詩篇》22:16-18 被應驗了 [10]NIV Cultural Background Study Bible, on John 19:23 : “Divided clothing recalls Ps 22:18 (cited in Jn 19:24; see note there), but also fits historical practice. Roman execution squads (typically about four men) had rights to whatever clothing or other effects remained on the prisoner. undergarment . . . was seamless. The inner tunic was normally formed by sewing two cloths together; a seamless tunic was thus specially made and valuable.”：
「… 他們扎了我的手，我的腳。我的骨頭，我都能數過；他們瞪著眼看我。他們分我的外衣，為我的裡衣拈鬮。」
「骨頭 … 都能數過」，因為耶穌在十架上是赤裸的。學者們也表示認同：
「《馬太福音》和《馬可福音》皆暗指耶穌接受釘刑時，全身赤裸並無遮蔽物 … 羅馬人實施釘刑時會剝去受刑人的衣物，藉以達到羞辱效果，而目前沒有任何《聖經》記錄顯示耶穌得以免去此災難。」[11]兩千多年前的#MeToo受害者 耶穌也是其中之一 — 上報 / 國際，引用了 “The Crucifixion of Jesus: Torture, Sexual Abuse, and the Scandal of the Cross”, by David Tombs
羞辱
除了製造痛苦與威嚇，帶來羞辱是十架刑罰的主要目的[12]Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2383). Crossway Bibles : “Crucifixion, performed naked and in public, and inflicting prolonged pain on the victim, was intended to cause shame as well as death”[13]The Crucifixion of Christ, on “Psychological Torment” https://www.evidenceunseen.com/christ/the-crucifixion-of-christ/ ：
「讓囚犯全身赤裸是羞辱男性囚犯最有用的方法 … 這用來攻擊他的男性身分相當有效，羞辱並破壞他的自我認同。」而這樣的羞辱方式在現代也能找到 … 美軍在伊拉克阿布格萊布（Abu Ghraib）監獄虐待囚犯，也同樣剝去了士兵的衣物。[14]兩千多年前的#MeToo受害者 耶穌也是其中之一 — 上報 / 國際，引用了 “The Crucifixion of Jesus: Torture, Sexual Abuse, and the Scandal of the Cross”, by David Tombs
耶穌面對毫無尊嚴的羞辱 —— 神的兒子被赤裸釘在十架上示眾，超過六個小時。而這只是整個受苦過程的一部分。這也可能是耶穌釘十架時，婦女為何遠遠站著的原因：
還有一切與耶穌熟識的人，和從加利利跟著他來的婦女們，都遠遠地站著看這些事。（《路》23:49）
面對羞辱，耶穌會像我們，以辱罵、憤怒、怨恨、苦澀來回應嗎？不是的，《希伯來書》12:2 告訴我們：
… 他因那擺在前面的喜樂，就輕看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦難，便坐在神寶座的右邊。
耶穌「輕看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦難」，支撐祂的是「那擺在前面的喜樂」 —— 回到神身邊，也帶我們回到神身邊，讓我們被赦免、得自由。祂的赤裸及羞辱，換來深陷罪惡中、赤裸及羞辱的我們可以「披戴基督」（《加》3:27），「穿上新人」（《弗》4:24）。
在這高舉自尊與個人主義的世代，赤裸的耶穌，會否令你覺得尷尬？十字架，是否依然「永遠是我榮耀」？不要忘記榮耀之前的羞辱，要思想及仿效基督，免得疲倦灰心：
那忍受罪人這樣頂撞的，你們要思想，免得疲倦灰心。 （《希伯來書》12:3）
參考
Art depicts Jesus in a loincloth on the cross – the brutal truth is he would have been naked
On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ, by William D. Edwards, MD; Wesley J. Gabel, MDiv; Floyd E. Hosmer, MS, AMI
How Jesus Died
https://www.crucifixionshroud.com/ed_howhedied.php
A (more accurate) Medical Account of the Crucifixion, by Douglas Jacoby
The Medical Account of the Crucifixion of Christ (Original : A Physician Analyzes the Crucifixion), by Dr. C. Truman Davis
http://www.thecross-photo.com/Dr_C._Truman_Davis_Analyzes_the_Crucifixion.htm
CRUCIFIXION, by JOSEPH ZIAS
Medical views on the death by crucifixion of Jesus Christ, by Gary Habermas , Jonathan Kopel , Benjamin C F Shaw
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8545147
David Terasaka, M.D. :: Medical Aspects of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/terasaka_david/misc/crucify.cfm
The cross of the Son of God
Martin Hengel ; [translated by John Bowden from the German]. (London : SCM Press 1986.)
The Crucifixion of Christ
The Passion of Jesus. Jesus’ Crucifixion from a Medical Point of View, by Richard Krejcir
https://www.actsweb.org/medical_crucifixion.php
What Is the Medical Account of the Crucifixion?
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/medical-account-of-the-crucifixion.html
Crucifixion
https://www.britannica.com/topic/crucifixion-capital-punishment
The history and pathology of crucifixion
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14750495
https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/EJC67844
The Science of the Crucifixion
https://www.apu.edu/articles/the-science-of-the-crucifixion
Jesus wasn’t the only man to be crucified. Here’s the history behind this brutal practice.
https://www.livescience.com/65283-crucifixion-history.html
What is the history of crucifixion?
https://www.gotquestions.org/crucifixion.html
十字架的嘲弄（二）
NIV Application Commentary, on John 19
The Crucifixion of Jesus: Torture, Sexual Abuse, and the Scandal of the Cross, by David Tombs
兩千多年前的#MeToo受害者 耶穌也是其中之一 — 上報 / 國際
NIV Cultural Background Study Bible, on John 19:23
Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2383). Crossway Bibles.
“John 19:23-24 – The Unclothed Jesus”
https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/john-1923-24-unclothed-jesus
註腳
| ↑1 | Art depicts Jesus in a loincloth on the cross – the brutal truth is he would have been naked：https://theconversation.com/art-depicts-jesus-in-a-loincloth-on-the-cross-the-brutal-truth-is-he-would-have-been-naked-226229 |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | NIV Application Commentary, on John 19, appendix 686 : “This raises the question of whether Jesus was crucified naked. We cannot be certain. This was certainly the Roman habit, but there is also Jewish evidence that Rome made concessions to the Jewish disdain for nudity. Hence Jesus may have worn a loincloth. However, among the earliest church fathers and in early art, Jesus is sometimes depicted as unclothed.” |
| ↑3 | Art depicts Jesus in a loincloth on the cross – the brutal truth is he would have been naked： https://theconversation.com/art-depicts-jesus-in-a-loincloth-on-the-cross-the-brutal-truth-is-he-would-have-been-naked-226229 |
| ↑4 | 希律拿了彼得，收在監裡，交付四班兵丁看守，每班四個人，意思要在逾越節後把他提出來，當著百姓辦他。 |
| ↑5 | 十字架的嘲弄（二）： https://traditional-odb.org/article/the-mockery-ii/ |
| ↑6, ↑7, ↑9 | https://bible.fhl.net/new/com.php?book=3&engs=John&chap=19&sec=23&m=0 |
| ↑8 | NIV Application Commentary, on John 19 : “A more commonplace view, that this was simply a precious item of clothing (made perhaps by his mother?) may be the best way forward. The reason for seamless tunics was for Jews to be assured that no two fabrics were mixed, a practice prohibited under the law (Deut. 22:11).” |
| ↑10 | NIV Cultural Background Study Bible, on John 19:23 : “Divided clothing recalls Ps 22:18 (cited in Jn 19:24; see note there), but also fits historical practice. Roman execution squads (typically about four men) had rights to whatever clothing or other effects remained on the prisoner. undergarment . . . was seamless. The inner tunic was normally formed by sewing two cloths together; a seamless tunic was thus specially made and valuable.” |
| ↑11, ↑14 | 兩千多年前的#MeToo受害者 耶穌也是其中之一 — 上報 / 國際，引用了 “The Crucifixion of Jesus: Torture, Sexual Abuse, and the Scandal of the Cross”, by David Tombs |
| ↑12 | Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2383). Crossway Bibles : “Crucifixion, performed naked and in public, and inflicting prolonged pain on the victim, was intended to cause shame as well as death” |
| ↑13 | The Crucifixion of Christ, on “Psychological Torment” https://www.evidenceunseen.com/christ/the-crucifixion-of-christ/ |