why do Jehovah's witness believe Jesus died on a stake and not on a cross?

Answer 1

The JWs are not the only Christian group with their eyes open to the truth about all the pagan "traditions of men" that the Roman government forced on to the early Christian congregation in 325 A.D.

really, does it matter what shape the wood was that he sacrificed his life for us on?

Jesus was clear that there would be many false "christians" who would claim to follow him but would violate the will of his Father in heaven.

Christ's Almighty God and Father clearly told us never to have objects associated with worship (please read Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 5:8; Leviticus 26:1; Acts 17:29; 1 Corinthians 10:14) so anyone using a 'cross' symbol in worship is obviously one of the false "christians" Jesus identifies in Matthew 7:13-23 and the few who choose not to have objects in their worship are the true Christians.

please see the following non-JW websites for more information:

http://www.albatrus.org/english/religions/pagan/origin_of_cross.htm

http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p039.html

agape!

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Answer 2

The Gospel accounts all use the Greek word stau·ros′ when referring to the instrument of execution on which Christ Jesus died. (Mt 27:40; Ma 15:30; Lu 23:26; Joh 19:17,19,25) The word stau·ros′ refers to an upright pole, stake, or post.

The book The Non-Christian Cross, by J. D. Parsons, explains:

“There is not a single sentence in any of the numerous writings forming the New Testament, which, in the original Greek, bears even indirect evidence to the effect that the stauros used in the case of Jesus was other than an ordinary stauros; much less to the effect that it consisted, not of one piece of timber, but of two pieces nailed together in the form of a cross."

At Acts 5:30, the word xy′lon, meaning “tree,” is used as a synonym for stau·ros′, denoting an ordinary piece of upright timber or tree, rather than a two-beamed cross.

Quite some time before the Christian era, crosses were used in ancient Babylonia as symbols in the worship of Tammuz, the pagan fertility god. From there, the use of the cross spread. Centuries later, the Israelites even adulterated their worship of Jehovah God by thus venerating the false god Tammuz. This form of worship is refered to in the Bible as a 'detestable thing'. Ez 8:13,14 Being sacrificed on such would signify being sacrificed to Tammuz, not an acceptable outcome for Christ Jesus, therefore not something that God would have allowed...

on top of all the other reasons,
some of which are found in the online article:

Did Jesus Really Die on a Cross?
- What Does the Cross Symbolize?
- “Guard Yourselves From Idols”
http://watchtower.org/e/200604a/article_01.htm
The Bible's Viewpoint, series

Answer 3

The Greek word generally translated “cross” is "stauros". It basically means “an upright pale or stake.” The Companion Bible points out: "Stauros" never means two pieces of timber placed across one another at any angle . . . There is nothing in the Greek of the New Testament even to imply two pieces of timber.”

In several texts, Bible writers use another word for the instrument of Jesus’ death. It is the Greek word "xylon". (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24) This word simply means “timber” or “a stick, club, or tree.”

The apostle Paul says: “Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: ‘Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake [“a tree,” King James Version].’” (Galatians 3:13) Here Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:22, 23, which clearly refers to a stake, not a cross. Since such a means of execution made the person “a curse,” it would not be proper for Christians to decorate their homes with images of Christ impaled.

There is no evidence that for the first 300 years after Christ’s death, those claiming to be Christians used the cross in worship. In the fourth century, however, pagan Emperor Constantine became a convert to apostate Christianity and promoted the cross as its symbol. Whatever Constantine’s motives, the cross had nothing to do with Jesus Christ. The cross is, in fact, pagan in origin. The New Catholic Encyclopedia admits: “The cross is found in both pre-Christian and non-Christian cultures.” Various other authorities have linked the cross with nature worship and pagan sex rites.

Why, then, was this pagan symbol promoted? Apparently, to make it easier for pagans to accept “Christianity.” Nevertheless, devotion to any pagan symbol is clearly condemned by the Bible. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) The Scriptures also forbid all forms of idolatry. (Exodus 20:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 10:14) With very good reason, therefore, true Christians do not use the cross in worship.


For more information go to:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/rq/article_11.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1998/3/15/article_01.htm

Answer 4

Amazing, people who were born a century after the fact knew exactly what went on. The first time in history. Since Romans nailed a lot of people up chances are very slim that they would go to the trouble to build a cross to torture people. Also, the word used in many scripts means post. The cross was added in the 6th century. And they did not nail him through his hands, it wouldn't have held. And most 12 year olds could figure out how to use 2 nails on a single post.

Answer 5

"Schneb" long time no see, thought maybe you had died and gone to heaven.

The King James Bible says Jesus was put to death on a tree.

Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

Acts 13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Michelangelo and the Cross

Italian government art experts are said to be “90 percent sure” that a sculpture recently found in a monastery in Lebanon is the work of the famous Italian artist Michelangelo. The small wooden carving is said to be worth $2.5 million (U.S.) if it actually is Michelangelo’s work. According to an Associated Press report, “the figure is unusual because it represents Christ with his hands stretched out above his head instead of to the side, as he usually is depicted on the cross.”

Whether the wooden sculpture is the work of the 16th-century artist Michelangelo or not, it illustrates that the impalement of Christ on a cross frame has not always been so certain as Christendom’s leaders today would have people believe. For example, the 16th-century Roman Catholic scholar Justus Lipsius illustrated impalement on an upright stake in his book “De Cruce Liber Primus.” This fits the meaning of the Greek word used in the Bible to describe the impalement of Christ, “stauros”, which “denotes, primarily, an upright pale or stake.”, “An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

Jesus Christ did not die on a cross. The Greek word generally translated “cross” is stau·ros'. It basically means “an upright pale or stake.” The Companion Bible points out: “[Stau·ros'] never means two pieces of timber placed across one another at any angle, There is nothing in the Greek of the [New Testament] even to imply two pieces of timber.”

In several texts, Bible writers use another word for the instrument of Jesus’ death. It is the Greek word xy'lon. This word simply means “timber” or “a stick, club, or tree.”

Explaining why a simple stake was often used for executions, the book Das Kreuz und die Kreuzigung (The Cross and the Crucifixion), by Hermann Fulda, states: “Trees were not everywhere available at the places chosen for public execution. So a simple beam was sunk into the ground. On this the outlaws, with hands raised upward and often also with their feet, were bound or nailed.”

The most convincing proof of all, however, comes from God’s Word. The apostle Paul says: “Christ by purchase released us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: ‘Accursed is every man hanged upon a stake [“a tree,” King James Version].’” (Galatians 3:13) Here Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:22, 23, which clearly refers to a stake, not a cross. Since such a means of execution made the person “a curse,” it would not be proper for Christians to decorate their homes with images of Christ impaled.

There is no evidence that for the first 300 years after Christ’s death, those claiming to be Christians used the cross in worship. In the fourth century, however, pagan Emperor Constantine became a convert to apostate Christianity and promoted the cross as its symbol. Whatever Constantine’s motives, the cross had nothing to do with Jesus Christ. The cross is, in fact, pagan in origin. The New Catholic Encyclopedia admits: “The cross is found in both pre-Christian and non-Christian cultures.” Various other authorities have linked the cross with nature worship and pagan sex rites.

Answer 6

You might start by watching the History Channel. The use of the Cross fell out of favor after its use to crucify thousands of men, women, and children after the Spartacus slave rebellion some 70 years before Christ. It was a particularly cruel form of execution, as it took days to die.

It didn't come back into use until 40 years after Christ died.

One thing Rome did not do was to enforce its own religious or cultural beliefs on its conquered lands. This prevents a multitude of additional problems maintaining control.

Jewish beliefs are that a person to be executed must die before the beginning of the new day, which starts are sun set, so being hung on a Roman Cross would not work. On a stake, one is hanging with your hands above your head. This causes your lungs to collapse. It should be noted that this is one of the warnings on its use for people who are into S&M. There have been accidental deaths due to his.

In the crucification, the person's lungs collapse and they suffocate. They could try to prevent this by using their legs, wrapping them around the pole, and lifting their weight. This can also be done is their feet are nailed. For this reason, their legs are broken by the guards.

Of course, History could be wrong.

Answer 7

Perhaps most important to this issue is that Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that the bible plainly forbids idolatry of any kind, including the worshipful use of icons such as crucifixes.
http://watchtower.org/bible/1jo/chapter_005.htm?bk=1jo;chp=5;vs=21;citation#bk21
http://www.watchtower.org/bible/ac/chapter_017.htm?bk=ac;chp=17;vs=29;citation#bk29

(1 John 5:21) Guard yourselves from idols.

(Acts 17:29) We ought not to imagine that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and contrivance of man


The exact shape of Christ's instrument of death is hardly a central doctrine of the faith, but Jehovah's Witnesses do happen to believe that Jesus was almost certainly impaled on a simple stake, rather than a cross of two intersecting beams. Of course the Romans had the ability to create a cross, and probably did. But ask yourself: why they would have bothered when a simple stake would have worked just as well or better?

The bible most assuredly does NOT offer any proof that the stake was actually a cross of two intersecting beams. The actual facts of the bible may be enlightening to examine...

You may be interested to see how your own copy of the bible translates Acts 5:30, Galatians 3:13, Deuteronomy 21:22, 23, and Acts 10:39. The King James, Revised Standard, Dyaglott, and Jerusalem Bible translate the instrument of Christ's death simply as "stake" or "tree" because the original wording simply does not support the idea that this was more than a piece of upright wood.

It is also eye-opening to examine how the first-century Christians felt about idols of any kind, much less one that glorified an instrument of death.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/200604a/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050508a/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/19960715/article_01.htm

Answer 8

What ever our conclusions may be is useless to me. I don't care about the cross or the tree. I care about the one who was crucified on the the cross or the tree.

I just can't imagine that God would keep me or anyone out of heaven for choosing to believe it is the cross or that it is a tree.

Sometimes we can make a big deal such things, when God has much bigger things in His agenda for lost humanity.

Your question is a good question though, and it is worth while to ponder, but I would not allow anyone of the conclusions swerve from the christ on the tree or the cross.

I agree with Nuno's answer and many others. LP keep up the good work. God Bless you all for your enlightenment on this question.

Answer 9

The Greek word rendered “cross” in many modern Bible versions (“torture stake” in NW) is stau·ros′. In classical Greek, this word meant merely an upright stake, or pale. Later it also came to be used for an execution stake having a crosspiece. The Imperial Bible-Dictionary acknowledges this, saying: “The Greek word for cross, [stau·ros′], properly signified a stake, an upright pole, or piece of paling, on which anything might be hung, or which might be used in impaling [fencing in] a piece of ground. . . . Even amongst the Romans the crux (from which our cross is derived) appears to have been originally an upright pole.”

Answer 10

Does that really matter?

What matters is that He rose again.

He is no longer on that pole, stake, or cross, or electric chair, or whatever.

Now - this is one of the things that set JWs apart - not using symbols of death and torture on their bodies or in their homes or meeting places!

I am sure running around and using this symbol just tickles Satan and his to no end as they gleefully remember how they tortured and murdered God's Son.

It is also relate to the male/female genitalia symbol - the ankh.