A severely injured Jesus would not have seemed to witnesses like he had been “resurrected.” This explodes the swoon theory because, as noted by David Strauss:
>“It is impossible that a being who had stolen half-dead out of the sepulcher, who crept about weak and ill, wanting medical treatment, who required bandaging, strengthening and indulgence, and who still at least yielded to his sufferings, could have given to the disciples the impression that he was a Conqueror over death and the grave, the Prince of Life, and impression which lay at the bottom of their future ministry. Such a resuscitation could only have weakened the impression which he had made upon them in life and in death, at the most could only have given it an elegiac voice, but could by no possibility have changed their sorrow into enthusiasm, have elevated their reverence into worship.”1, 2
Jesus would not even try to convince the apostles that he had resurrected.1
Jesus would not have been able to escape the tomb. [Full article.]
• ...Jesus couldn't move the stone.
• ...guards were stationed at the tomb
Jesus really died on the cross. [Full article].1
• ...Jesus was first scourged, nearly to death.
• ...crucifixion in general is fatal.
• ...the executioner judged Jesus dead.
• ...Jesus was speared in the side.
• ...contemporaries never doubted it.
• ...the buriers judged Jesus dead.