Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 3/16/2008

Question
I believe that Jesus was placed upon a cross. Yet many people here in Florida say that He was placed upon a stake.
I know that Jehovah's Witnesses believe the same. I tell them it does not matter how Jesus died it is what He died for. How can the cross be the proven tool that was used?

Answer
Arthur,

Christian greetings. Thank you for your interesting answer. I do agree with you that it does not matter how Jesus died it is what He died for. But I will be happy to share with you what I have learned on this subject.

In the New Testament, the instrument of crucifixion, was the cross and hence used for the crucifixion of Christ itself (Eph. 2:16; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Cor. 1:17,18; Gal. 5:11; 6:12,14; Phil. 3:18)

The word "cross" is also used to denote any severe affliction or trial (Matt. 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21).

The forms in which the cross is represented are these:

The crux simplex (I), a "single piece without transom."

The crux decussata (X), or St. Andrew's cross.

The crux commissa (T), or St. Anthony's cross.

The crux immissa (t), or Latin cross, which was the kind of cross on which our Savior died. Above our Lord's head, on the projecting beam, was placed the "title."
(http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/cross.html)

Crucifixion was a common mode of punishment among heathen nations in early times. It is not certain whether it was used by the ancient Jews; probably it was not. The modes of capital punishment according to the Mosaic law were, by the sword (Exodus 21), strangling, fire (Lev. 20), and stoning (Deut. 21).

This was regarded as the most horrible form of death, and to a Jew it would acquire greater horror from the curse in Deut. 21:23.

This punishment began by subjecting the sufferer to scourging. In the case of our Lord, however, his scourging was before the sentence was passed upon him, and was inflicted by Pilate for the purpose, probably, of producing pity to avoid a demand for further punishment .
(http://christiananswers.net/q-eden/crucifixion.html)

There were three types of crosses commonly used by the Roman army in the first century A.D. Each carried an inscription stating the victim's capital offense and a seat-like projection, not designed for the victim's comfort, but to prolong their agony. Nails and ropes held the victim's legs and arms in place.

One cross was called a “high tau” cross because it was shaped like the capital Greek letter tau (“T”). The second cross was known as a “low tau” cross, shaped like the lower case tau (“t”). In both cases the central post was generally set permanently in the ground while the cross bar was carried to the site by the victim. The third type of cross used was an actual tree still in the ground (dead or alive) with its limbs serving as the cross bar. Jesus was probably crucified on a “low tau” type cross.
(http://christiananswers.net/q-abr/abr-a013.html)

Arthur, please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1