What really was the instrument of Jesus execution?

Question

According to an online encyclopedia:

"The word cross was introduced to English in the 10th century as the term for the instrument of the torturous execution of Christ (gr. stauros', xy'lon), gradually replacing rood, ultimately from Latin crux, via Old Irish cros. Originally, both 'rood' and 'crux' referred simply to any "pole," the later shape associated with the term being based on church tradition, rather than etymology."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross

Also:

Should be instrument of Jesus' execution be worshipped or be used to 'remind one of one's faith'?

"for we are walking by faith, not by sight" -2 Corinthians 5:7

Are you sure the type of Christianity you practice is the same one Christ and God's Word the Bible teaches?

Although the original Greek word used in the Bible for Jesus' execution piece means either 'tree' or 'pole', it would obviously be a pole since Christ had to carry it to his place of execution. However, it would not be entirely incorrect to call it a tree since that is where the pole obviously came from. -Acts 5:30

There is nothing in the Bible that would remotely indicate that Jesus died on a cross, considering that the original word did not even mean "cross".

Answer 1

Jesus was put to death on an upright pole or stake. The KJV says he died on a tree.

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"

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"

And wearing a symbol of the instrument of torture that our King was killed upon or displaying it on rooftops or in places of worship is something detestable to him and to his Father.

LOBT

Answer 2

Yes, the word stauros used in the Bible ORIGINALLY had reference to a stake without a crosspiece because originally crosspieces weren't added to the stakes. But after the Romans introduced the crosspiece to the stake, the same term "stauros" continued to be used. The Latin word "crux" corresponds to the Greek stauros and both of them refer to wooden instruments of execution which originally were sharp pointed stakes that were actually inserted into the body, and the body was thus impaled.

The Letter of Barnabas refers to a stauros in the shape of a cross about the end of the first or beginning of the second century. Also, in the first century, Seneca spoke of different forms of the torture stake being used.

The word xylon doesn't mean "stake". It basically means "wood" and refers to something made of wood. A stake is wooden, and so is a wooden crosspiece. Both came from a tree.

The idea that Jesus carried a crosspiece and was nailed to a tree would not be out of harmony with what the Bible says.
But there are other possibilities.

Today a Jehovah's Witness told me that he calls a utility pole with a crossbar (so it looks like a T), a utility pole, and not a utility cross. Obviously, today theEnglish word pole is not used in such a narrow way that adding a crossbar would make the word "pole" unacceptable to use. Likewise, adding a crossbar to a stauros did not make the stauros any less of one. Indeed, it's the only ancient Greek word of which I'm aware, that was used to describe a torture stake, with or without a crosspiece.

It's unfortunate that stauros was translated as "cross" in English because it has caused a lot of confusion. Some people don't realize that a stauros isn't always a "cross". And others think that because the word basically meant "pole", that it can't have a crosspiece, but as the Jehovah's Witness told me today, he calls a pole with a crosspiece, a "pole" and not a "cross". Likewise the Greeks eventually called a stauros with a crosspiece, a stauros.

The question as to when the crosspiece was added to the stake is not one that can be answered with certainty, so it's impossible to say if Jesus died on a stake with a crosspiece or a stake without. The weight of the evidence, I believe, might favor the cross a little, but it's so inconclusive that I wouldn't even venture a guess. (Of course there are plenty of know-it-alls who think they know.)

Answer 3

You hit a bit of a problem with the idea that Jesus was crucified on a single pole with no cross bar. According to several places in scripture (including 1 Peter 2:24 and Galatians 3:13) the cricufixion took place "on a tree". The upright piece was a stationary tree, used frequently by the Romans for executions. It was rooted in the ground and did not move.

However, Jesus carried a second piece of wood through the city and up to the hill. (See John 19:17) It was to that piece of wood the Bible says he was nailed. So according to the Bible, the "cross" on which Jesus died had TWO parts, one vertical (a tree) and one horizontal (the crossbar which he bore).

While the word "cross" did not appear until the 10th century, there are thousands of examples of pictures, painting, statues, crucifixes, and crosses which date back to the first century of the Christian faith. The word "cross" did not appear until the 10th century because that was when English first began to appear. There were no English words for anything before that. (Duh!!)

As for why a Christian would choose a cross for an emblem to remind them of what Jesus paid for the salvation, it is simple. Jesus himself told them to do it. He told them that they were to "take up their cross daily" and follow him. So he gave them the cross as a symbol that they should use for a daily reminder of their devotion to him. It is only used 11 times in the writings of the apostles (Romans through Revelation in the Bible) as a sign of our salvation.

Answer 4

all good questions...
i say yes it was a cross since that was the general form of execution the Romans used during that time period....
-The Bible says Jesus' hands were outstretched, not over His head during his death Jhn 21:18, 19
-The Romans placed a sign above Jesus' head, not above his hands; if He had died on a stake, the normal reference would have been to the hands which would have been nailed over the head Mat 27:37
-The thieves that died with Him were described as being on the right hand and the left, as opposed to "at the side of" or "at His left and right" Mar 15:25-27

it is a reminder of out faith and something to inspire us to push on

yes, i am sure, I'm not perfect with it but no one is the point is that you continue to mature and grow closer to the Lord because of your faith

Answer 5

There were people who were crusified on a "cross" or 2 wood beams, during this time, but Jesus was not. It was a simple straight wooden beam.
See Luke 23:31; Acts 5:30;10:39.

Answer 6

Just because the word "cross" didn't come until much later doesn't mean they didn't exist. Other such crosses had been found from that time. The way I practice christianity is to try to follow the example of Jesus. To me this means loving everyone I meet, don't be judgemental to anyone. Also forgiveness to anyone who has wronged me. These are the ideas that Jesus taught.

Answer 7

A cross. I have heard people dispute this claim but it is in fact a cross. I think that venerating a cross shows our dedication to our faith because Matthew 16:24 says "Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Some Christian denominations such as the Catholic and Orthodox churches, dispute the shape and form of the cross (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchal_cross)

Answer 8

I do .... and the early Christians did use the bypass as an emblem which grow to be an insult to the Romans of that day because of the fact it grow to be meant to be the Roman image of ability. The word bypass grow to be additionally seen a sort of swear word in those days bringing greater persecution of Christians of that element. If we shrink the loss of life of Jesus we omit the entire element. His existence grow to be remarkable. yet his loss of life grow to be the main precious present and can be respected.

Answer 9

Thats the bible 4 u..cross..stick..pole..tree .. no one knows 4 sure..u got 2 to believe what u r not sure about by faith..i strggle with that a lot.

Answer 10

Oh boy, just what we need, another guy majoring in minors. The whole "crux" of the matter is Christ gave his life for our sins.