What was the significance of Jesus falling while carrying cross?

Answer 1

There is no specific theological significance except that is an episode that confirms Jesus' condition before crucufixion. Roman crucifixion was almost always preceded by scourging (whipping) that was so severe that often victims didn't survive it. Jesus' scourging would have been no less severe. As well as leather whips, Romans also had whips containing pelletsof lead that dug into the flesh and muscle tearing it at each stroke. Often wounds dug through to the bone. As well as much blood loss, the victim would also go into severe shock.

Thus his collapse on the way to the Cross signified Jesus' utter exhaustion and weakness due to blood loss and shock. This helps us understand why Jesus died so quickly in the Cross. There are those sceptics, who know little about Roman crucifixion, who claim that victms always took days to die and this was 'evidence' that Jesus didn't really die on the Cross. However, contrary to this, and bearing in mind his collapse on the way to the Cross, it is surprising that he lasted the six hours on it that he did before death finally came.