Crucifixion of Jesus

===Talmud===
Another possible reference to the crucifixion ("hanging", cf. {{Bibleverse|Luke|23:39|KJV}}; [[Galatians 3:13]]) is found in the Babylonian [[Talmud]]:
{{Blockquote|On the eve of the Passover [[Yeshu]] was hanged. For forty days before the execution took place, a herald went forth and cried, "He is going forth to be stoned because he has practised sorcery and enticed Israel to [[apostasy]]. Anyone who can say anything in his favour, let him come forward and plead on his behalf." But since nothing was brought forward in his favour he was hanged on the eve of the Passover.|[[Sanhedrin (tractate)|Sanhedrin 43a]]| ''Babylonian Talmud'' (Soncino Edition)}}

Although the question of the equivalence of the identities of Yeshu and Jesus has at times been debated, many historians agree that the above 2nd-century passage is likely to be about Jesus, [[Peter Schäfer]] stating that there can be no doubt that this narrative of the execution in the Talmud refers to Jesus of Nazareth.<ref>''Jesus in the Talmud'' by Peter Schäfer (2009) {{ISBN|0-691-14318-8}} pp. 141 and 9</ref> [[Robert Van Voorst]] states that the Sanhedrin 43a reference to Jesus can be confirmed not only from the reference itself, but from the context that surrounds it.<ref>Van Voorst, Robert E. (2000). ''Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence''. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. {{ISBN|0-8028-4368-9}}. pp.&nbsp;177–118.</ref> Sanhedrin 43a relates that Yeshu had been condemned to death by [[Hasmonean dynasty|the royal government of Judaea]] – this lineage was stripped of all legal authority upon [[Herod the Great]]'s ascension to the throne in 37 BC, meaning the execution had to have taken place close to 40 years before Jesus was even born.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angelfire.com/mt/talmud/jesusnarr.html |title=The Jesus Narrative In The Talmud |author=Gil Student |publisher=Talmud: The Real Truth About the Talmud |date=2000 |access-date=2018-04-18 |archive-date=January 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130224616/http://www.angelfire.com/mt/talmud/jesusnarr.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>L. Patterson, "Origin of the Name Panthera", ''JTS'' 19 (1917–18), pp. 79–80, cited in Meier, p. 107 n. 48</ref> According to another account, he was executed on request of the [[Pharisees]] leaders.<ref name=Chilton455 >''Studying the Historical Jesus: Evaluations of the State of Current Research'' edited by Bruce Chilton, Craig A. Evans 1998 {{ISBN|90-04-11142-5}} pp.&nbsp;455–457</ref>