The Swoon Theory
Another theory about Jesus’ burial is that his followers conspired to fake Jesus’ death. According to this theory, Jesus was drugged in such a way that even the Roman executioners believed he was dead. Then later he was revived and it appeared he had risen from the dead. Some criticize this theory, saying that it doesn't quite explain how the Sanhedrin was manipulated into convicting him of blasphemy in the first place, nor why Jesus endured the crucifixion for the sake of such a hoax.
For this hoax to succeed, Jesus faced six illegal trials, endured beatings, a scourging, the crown of thorns, crucifixion, and a spear thrust into his side. Then he revived in the tomb and unwrapped his burial garments. Though he had gone three days without medical treatment, he managed to move the one-ton stone blocking the tomb's entrance and singlehand-edly defeated an elite Roman guard. After all that, he walked seven miles to Emmaus (on nail-punctured feet) and proclaimed himself the risen Messiah. Of course, this would be difficult for a normal man, but plausible for a person like Jesus, who had performed many miracles in the past.
Schonfield calls the biblical account of Jesus’ burial and resurrection the “fairy dust of faith.” However, many Christians believe that Schonfield's own work lacks credibility, integrity, and scholarship. Like many biblical accounts and their accompanying theories, this one has raised a significant amount of controversy.
According to Hugh Schonfield's book The Passover Plot, Jesus was to take a narcotic so he could sleep on the cross. But those involved in the plot didn't expect the Roman soldier to thrust his spear into Jesus’ side. Joseph took Jesus from the cross and placed him in his tomb as planned. However, according to Schonfield, Jesus died from the side wound while in the tomb. The book depicts another young man disposing of Jesus’ body, and then being mistaken for the risen Jesus.