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The Crucifixion of Jesus: Torture, Sexual Abuse, and the Scandal of the Cross
Roman crucifixions sought to degrade and dehumanise their victims in ways that destroyed their dignity and stigmatised their memory. Paul speaks of the cross as a ‘scandal’ or ‘stumbling block’, but the significance of this language has never been explored in terms of sexual violence. The Crucifixion of Jesus examines crucifixion as a form of torture, state terror, and sexual abuse. It reads recent accounts of torture alongside the presentation of crucifixion in the Passion narratives and other Greek and Roman sources.
Outlining compelling reasons for viewing Jesus as a victim of sexual abuse, it examines why this unsettling aspect of the narrative has remained ‘hidden in plain sight’ for so long, and what place it might have in discussions of rape culture past and present. It also asks whether other acts of sexual violence and rape might have happened during the mockery in the praetorium, or even on the cross itself. It argues that although the acknowledgement of this ‘unspeakable violence’ is deeply disturbing, breaking the silence can nonetheless have constructive consequences.
In addition to offering a more historical understanding of crucifixion, this book illuminates positive new aspects of resurrection, making it a probing read for scholars of biblical studies and for those interested in the interplay of religion and violence.
Outlining compelling reasons for viewing Jesus as a victim of sexual abuse, it examines why this unsettling aspect of the narrative has remained ‘hidden in plain sight’ for so long, and what place it might have in discussions of rape culture past and present. It also asks whether other acts of sexual violence and rape might have happened during the mockery in the praetorium, or even on the cross itself. It argues that although the acknowledgement of this ‘unspeakable violence’ is deeply disturbing, breaking the silence can nonetheless have constructive consequences.
In addition to offering a more historical understanding of crucifixion, this book illuminates positive new aspects of resurrection, making it a probing read for scholars of biblical studies and for those interested in the interplay of religion and violence.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 18, 2023
The soliders "mocked" Jesus until they were exhausted and he couldn't carry his own cross. The Greek word "mocked" is the same word used for:
1. What Potiphar's wife accused Joseph of trying to do to her (Gen 39)
2. 1 Sam 31 Saul begs his armour bearer to kill him bc he had lot the battle and was terrified to the point of death that the Philistine soldiers would "mock" him
3. The Levite's concubine in Judges 19 was wontonly "mocked" all night by the men until she died.
JESUS was crucified as a political opponent (King of the Jews) and the imagery of sexual violence isn't implicit, it's quite explicit once we understand Roman crucifixion and the way Roman conquest was often portrayed and understood through a lens of sexual domination.
Further, Jesus is never praised for enduring the "pain" of the cross. He didn't die a noble death like a hero seeking Valhalla. He died a shameful death and yet...he endured the shame (Heb 12:2) and the shame of being sexually dominated made the cross...a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks (1 Cor 2).
1. What Potiphar's wife accused Joseph of trying to do to her (Gen 39)
2. 1 Sam 31 Saul begs his armour bearer to kill him bc he had lot the battle and was terrified to the point of death that the Philistine soldiers would "mock" him
3. The Levite's concubine in Judges 19 was wontonly "mocked" all night by the men until she died.
JESUS was crucified as a political opponent (King of the Jews) and the imagery of sexual violence isn't implicit, it's quite explicit once we understand Roman crucifixion and the way Roman conquest was often portrayed and understood through a lens of sexual domination.
Further, Jesus is never praised for enduring the "pain" of the cross. He didn't die a noble death like a hero seeking Valhalla. He died a shameful death and yet...he endured the shame (Heb 12:2) and the shame of being sexually dominated made the cross...a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks (1 Cor 2).
April 18, 2025
This is a challenging and well-argued study that explores a strand of contemporary theology and historical Jesus scholarship concerned with the sexualised dimensions of crucifixion in the ancient world.
David Tombs, a theologian at the University of Otago, New Zealand, presents a detailed and often disturbing case that elements of the Passion narrative – especially the repeated stripping and public humiliation of Christ – can be understood within the framework of sexual abuse. In The Crucifixion of Jesus: Torture, Sexual Abuse, and the Scandal of the Cross, Tombs draws on biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek), historical records of Roman punishment practices, and modern parallels such as Abu Ghraib to demonstrate how this perspective might be taken seriously within both theological reflection and trauma studies.
He raises unsettling questions about what may have occurred in the Praetorium, scrutinises the translation and implications of terms like “mocked,” and considers the possibility that crucifixion in some cases included acts of impalement. These arguments are handled with scholarly care and ethical urgency.
While I am not convinced by every theological conclusion Tombs draws, particularly in relation to the Church’s broader doctrinal framing of the Passion, I found the book to be a necessary and important intervention. It compels a re-examination of how the violence of the crucifixion is understood – not only as physical torment, but as something that may have involved profound sexual humiliation. The implications for how the Church engages with survivors of sexual violence are thoughtfully, if sometimes provocatively, explored.
A disturbing but significant contribution to both historical theology and trauma-informed biblical interpretation.
David Tombs, a theologian at the University of Otago, New Zealand, presents a detailed and often disturbing case that elements of the Passion narrative – especially the repeated stripping and public humiliation of Christ – can be understood within the framework of sexual abuse. In The Crucifixion of Jesus: Torture, Sexual Abuse, and the Scandal of the Cross, Tombs draws on biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek), historical records of Roman punishment practices, and modern parallels such as Abu Ghraib to demonstrate how this perspective might be taken seriously within both theological reflection and trauma studies.
He raises unsettling questions about what may have occurred in the Praetorium, scrutinises the translation and implications of terms like “mocked,” and considers the possibility that crucifixion in some cases included acts of impalement. These arguments are handled with scholarly care and ethical urgency.
While I am not convinced by every theological conclusion Tombs draws, particularly in relation to the Church’s broader doctrinal framing of the Passion, I found the book to be a necessary and important intervention. It compels a re-examination of how the violence of the crucifixion is understood – not only as physical torment, but as something that may have involved profound sexual humiliation. The implications for how the Church engages with survivors of sexual violence are thoughtfully, if sometimes provocatively, explored.
A disturbing but significant contribution to both historical theology and trauma-informed biblical interpretation.
September 8, 2024
I first heard David Tombs speak on a powerful and moving episode of the Shiloh podcast. Although careful and temperate in his language, Dr. Tombs brought shocking but revelatory insights into the sexualised violence that Jesus suffered, leading up to and during the crucifixion.
Publishing a book like this is so important and necessary, especially in the world we find ourselves in today. Although deeply disturbing at points, Dr Tombs has written a thoughtful and measured analysis of the evidence for Jesus being a victim of sexual abuse. His work brings a new depth of understanding to what Jesus endured, making sense of the New Testament emphasis on the shame that he experienced. Not merely a historical curiosity or a theological oddity, I view Dr. Tombs exploration of the issue as prophetic in timing and profoundly relevant for the church of Christ itself and for its ministry within society. Although perhaps not intended as such, this is a pastorally significant work which brought relief and healing to me and I trust will do so for many others.
Publishing a book like this is so important and necessary, especially in the world we find ourselves in today. Although deeply disturbing at points, Dr Tombs has written a thoughtful and measured analysis of the evidence for Jesus being a victim of sexual abuse. His work brings a new depth of understanding to what Jesus endured, making sense of the New Testament emphasis on the shame that he experienced. Not merely a historical curiosity or a theological oddity, I view Dr. Tombs exploration of the issue as prophetic in timing and profoundly relevant for the church of Christ itself and for its ministry within society. Although perhaps not intended as such, this is a pastorally significant work which brought relief and healing to me and I trust will do so for many others.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews