(at around 1h 16 mins) When John and Angela discuss the crucifixion story, John says that Jesus was killed by a soldier's spear, not by being nailed to the cross. However, some historians speculate that people who died of crucifixion died of starvation from food and water as well as their wounds; others claim that victims died primarily from asphyxiation, since the position in which they were suspended would stretch the muscles in the lungs, and make it increasingly difficult to breath. Some soldiers would therefore offer water-engorged sponges on sticks to them, or place a foothold beneath the victim's feet to make breathing easier; this may seem merciful but it ironically prolonged the suffering (conversely, if the crucifixion took too long, they would sometimes break the victim's legs to speed things up). According to scripture, Longinus, the Roman soldier, pierced Jesus's side to see if he was still alive, but if what John says is true, it may have been a mercy-kill.

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