[3] Lange, Vol. II., p. 273, note; Godet on Luke, p. 265; Whitby, as quoted by Scott, on Matthew xii. 40; Genesis i. 5; Daniel viii. 14, with Genesis vii. 4 and 17; Deuteronomy xiv. 28, with xxvi. 12; 1 Samuel xx. 12, with v. 19; 2 Chronicles x. 5, with v. 12; Matthew xxvi. 2, with xxvii. 63 and 64; Luke ii. 21, with i. 59; 1 Kings xx. 29; Esther iv. 16; Greenleaf on the Evangelists, etc., 268, 269 and notes. [4] The cock crows about midnight and about three in the morning, which was the beginning of the fourth watch. Galicinium (Cock-crowing) standing alone means the latter time; so that the same time is referred to by all. Greenleaf’s Testimony, etc., p. 436, and citations. [A] See _post_, c. 19. CHAPTER XVII. ORDER OF EVENTS. Whatever difficulties may exist as to minor points, all the facts necessary to a correct decision of the question of the Resurrection may be ascertained with reasonable certainty, and the order of their occurrence.[A] That Jesus Christ was crucified under Pontius Pilate is the testimony of all history. That his crucifixion was the day before the Jewish Sabbath is proved by all the Evangelists, and the constant observance of the First Day of the week as the Lord’s Day. Having been condemned to death, and his execution entrusted to Roman soldiers, there is the strongest presumption that the sentence was fully executed. This presumption is confirmed by all the Evangelists, by Paul in all his Epistles, and by the constant teaching of all the Apostles. On the day of Pentecost, Peter boldly said, Ye men of Israel, Jesus of Nazareth being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, “ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay;” and no one called in question the fact of his death. Again, at the healing of the lame man, he declared, “Ye denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of Life;” this charge he repeated before the Sanhedrim; and there was no denial. When Peter and John, after their release from prison, were brought before the Council, one charge against them was: “Ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” Stephen, when brought before the Council, declared, “Ye have now become the betrayers and murderers ... of the Righteous One.” If there could have been the slightest doubt of the actual death of Christ, the Council would have furnished the evidence. John solemnly declares that “one of the soldiers, with a spear, pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water.” It was a thrust by a Roman soldier to make the fact of death absolutely certain. It was such a result as would have followed, if, from excessive labors and extreme agony, there was a collection of water about the heart, or if from like causes, and as Dr. Stroud and other eminent surgeons suppose,[1] the cause of his death was a rupture or breaking of the heart.