There is a notion put forth by Christian cults and even entertained by mainstream Christians that Christ might not have really died on a cross but instead He was possibly crucified on a stake or on an "X". I believe these theories, especially the stake one, are quickly laid to rest when we read Matthew 27:37-
"ABOVE HIS HEAD they placed the written charge against him" - not above his hands, which would be above his head on this stake.
How could this not indicate a death on the (traditionally known) cross?
2007-03-09 06:17:51 · 15 answers · asked by Bob S 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think you have a valid point.
Archeology confirms that the Romans crucified their victims on a cross-beam. If Jesus were crucified on a stake or an "X," then there would have been no risk of suffocation, and the soldiers would not have wanted to break his legs to ensure death by sundown.
2007-03-09 06:22:35 · answer #1 · answered by NONAME 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am currently in Greece studying, and it is interesting to note that the Romans rarely if ever used Crosses for crucifixions. Mostly (of the evidence at hand) they used stakes. Pillars of wood. Moreover, the cross was introduced to christianity through Constantine who took the pagan sign for the sun god and turned it into a christian symbol. Before that the only known symbol for christians was the fish, in Greek IXTHIS which if taken each letter makes the phrase: Jesus Christ Son of God Savior. So I am leaning towards the stake theory cause it makes more sense. (You can still place a placard above someones head on a stake, in between the arms.) Worship of the Cross as we know it started later. The first christians didn't.
2007-03-09 14:27:43 · answer #2 · answered by Starjumper the R&S Cow 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus died on a stake. The cross was an idea that came from false pagan teachings. Constantine's cross that helped him win the battles was a greek cross, not a latin cross like the one mentioned by catholics today. Thus the origins of the cross are pagan. The 1st century christians did not use the cross as a symbol of Jesus. The words stauros and xylon mean steak or beam, and these are the original words from the bible. The words normally mean stake. If I hold a glass of water over my head, it is above my head, and it is also above my arms. Does it matter where it is. The bible text you cited is like picking at straws, and your argument is flawed.
-Dominus-
P.S. The cross is infact a pagan symbol, which was adopted by christians in the 3rd century after Jesus died.
2007-03-12 12:17:35 · answer #3 · answered by Master Dominus Ardor 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Possibly have to know more about it but ill stick wit the cross. Because a) it says so in the bible and b) that was a common cultural practice in those days - the cross that is ! Does it matter how Jesus died for us! That doesnt take away the fact that he did
2007-03-09 14:22:36 · answer #4 · answered by bcooper_au 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i read that paul or was it peter? that he felt he was so unworthy that he asked to be crucified upside down, that he was placed on an "X", but jesus has been portrayed as carrying a cross until a slave was asked to carry it for him.
it could've just been a single beam, that was added to a stake already in the ground or it couldve been a complete stake in the form of "t" all by itself. but it is plain that pilate made the inscription which said the king of the jews in greek, hebrew and latin.
2007-03-09 14:26:32 · answer #5 · answered by Priestcalling 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cross or stake they were wood and he was crucified and died on that wood for the sins and guilt of all mankind
2007-03-09 14:22:09 · answer #6 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The TRANSLATION for a Slang Word in the original scriptures/scrolls that is the word for "Wood" has been mis translated to the word STAKE.
===Like in " above HIS head on this WOOD"
THOUSANDS DIED ON CROSSES at the hands of the Romans. They denuded the territory of trees and even had to go to "recycling" to continue this form of execution.
2007-03-09 14:31:24 · answer #7 · answered by dondutkowski 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't care if it was a stake or a cross. I care that Jesus loved me enough to do what he did.
2007-03-09 14:42:42 · answer #8 · answered by Tanya Pants 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was executed by the Romans who used crosses. They developed this method to inflict the maximum amount of pain on the condemned person.
2007-03-09 14:36:34 · answer #9 · answered by Jouvert 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He died the same way as thousands of other poor souls, (many of them innocent), who got nailed up by the Romans as an act of terror to keep the Jews in line
His was nothing special, so what's the difference??
2007-03-09 14:21:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋