Answer: Biblically, sacrificial death could only occur through the shedding of blood exclusively (Leviticus 17:11). Jesus' death by crucifixion cannot be considered a sacrificial death. His death may have been caused by either asphyxiation or by going into shock brought on by the traumatic physical events of his last hours, before and after he was nailed to the cross. In his case, shock would not have been brought on solely by blood loss. The Gospels indicate Jesus' blood was not shed to a degree that would make blood loss from the body the exclusive cause of death. Death solely by blood loss is the only biblical cause acceptable for an animal's sacrificial death.