Matthew 27:40
40 and (kai) saying (legō), “You who (ho) would destroy (katalyō) the (ho) temple (naos) and (kai) rebuild (oikodomeō) it (inen) three (treis) days (hēmera) , saves (ōzō) yourselfs (eautou) !
If (ei) you are (eimi) the Son (hyios) of (ho) God (theos), come (katabainō) down from (apo) the (ho) cross (stauros)!”
This is what a “staruros” looks like. It is not a “cross” but it is a torture stake or pole where the arms are placed overhead.
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| Greek and Roman Method of Execution From the Louvre in Paris. Notice it is not very high off the ground either. And they used TWO NAILS. |
It turns out the "cross" is a pagan symbol of power and is the foundation of the swastika. The swastika is "power in motion". It is a Satanic symbol.
It really is not so important what he was killed on, but that it cannot be used in worship no matter what.
Also Jehovah God forbids any use of symbols, statues or any sort of idols or images of God to be worshiped. Jesus left not a single piece of DNA to be worshiped on purpose, because he told people not to worship him but to only worship Jehovah God.
So, what do "religious" people do..??? Make statues of someone whom we don't even have a picture of to worship.
Jesus wants you to worship life. Satan wants you to worship death. Death worship is forbidden by Jehovah and by Jesus.....yet???
It is the First commandment.
Exodus 20
Then God spoke all these words: 2 “I am Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 You must not have any other gods besides me. 4 “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them nor be enticed to serve them, for I, Jehovah your God, am a God who requires exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing loyal love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20
Then God spoke all these words: 2 “I am Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 You must not have any other gods besides me. 4 “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them nor be enticed to serve them, for I, Jehovah your God, am a God who requires exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing loyal love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Here is what Jesus said:
Matthew 4:10
10 Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”Luke 10:27
27 In answer he said: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole strength and with your whole mind’and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”Exodus 23:24
24 You must not bow down to their gods or be persuaded to serve them, and you must not imitate their practices. Instead, you must demolish them and smash their sacred pillars.1 Corinthians 10:20
20 No; but I say that what the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers with the demons.1 John 5:21
21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
While it is true that STAUROS originally referred to a stake or upright pole in classical Greek, by the time of the Roman Empire, its meaning expanded to include a variety of execution devices, including those with crossbeams. Scholars such as David Chapman and Gunnar Samuelsson have noted this semantic shift, reflecting the diversity of Roman crucifixion methods. Roman crucifixion practices often involved a PATIBULUM (crossbeam), which was attached to a vertical pole, forming the traditional shape of a cross. This is consistent with the Gospel accounts, which describe Jesus carrying his cross (Matthew 27:32; John 19:17). The crossbeam was a distinct and integral part of the Roman execution process. The New Testament also uses the term XYLON (Acts 5:30, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 2:24), which means "wood" or "tree." This term is metaphorical, emphasizing the shame and curse associated with crucifixion, not the specific shape of the instrument.
ReplyDeleteJohn 20:25 refers to the "nails" (plural) in Jesus’ hands. This strongly suggests that each hand was nailed separately, which aligns with the traditional depiction of a crossbeam where the victim’s arms were outstretched. Archaeological evidence, such as the remains of Yehohanan, a first-century crucifixion victim, shows that nails were driven through the arms and legs, consistent with crucifixion on a cross-shaped structure.
Historical records and archaeological findings demonstrate that Roman crucifixion methods were varied. Execution devices included stakes, T-shaped crosses (crux commissa), and traditional crosses with a raised crossbeam (crux immissa). Roman writers like Seneca and Cicero provide descriptions of crucifixion that imply the use of crossbeams. For instance, Seneca describes the stretching of arms during crucifixion, which would not occur if the hands were placed directly above the head on a single stake. The depiction of crucifixion in early Christian art and graffiti, such as the Alexamenos graffito, supports the traditional cross shape.
While the cross as a public symbol of Christianity became more prominent after Constantine, early Christians recognized its theological significance long before the fourth century. The writings of early Church Fathers, such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian, affirm the centrality of the cross in Christian theology. The claim that the cross is pagan ignores its transformation in Christian thought from an instrument of shame to a symbol of redemption. The cross represents Christ’s victory over sin and death, not pagan worship. Biblical prohibitions against idolatry (Exodus 20:4-5) are not violated by the use of the cross as a symbol of faith. Catholics and many other Christians do not worship the cross; they venerate it as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice, much like one might treasure a wedding ring as a symbol of commitment.
The cross is not viewed as a symbol of death, but as a sign of life, hope, and salvation. Christians wear the cross not to glorify execution but to honor Christ’s sacrifice and triumph over death. JWs fail to account for the transformative meaning of the cross in Christian theology. It is not merely an instrument of death but a representation of God’s love and grace.
While it is true that similar shapes existed in pre-Christian cultures, this does not negate the uniquely Christian meaning of the cross. Symbols often acquire new meanings in different contexts. The cross was adopted by Christians not because of its pagan associations, but because of its connection to Christ’s sacrifice. Historical records show that early Christians avoided public depictions of the cross due to its association with shame and Roman persecution. The eventual use of the cross as a public symbol reflects its theological significance, not a capitulation to paganism.
DeleteConstantine’s adoption of the cross as a public Christian symbol reflects his recognition of its significance to Christians, not a paganization of Christianity. By this time, the cross was already central to Christian theology, as evidenced by early Christian writings and liturgical practices. The idea that Constantine’s actions corrupted Christianity is a common trope among groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses but lacks historical credibility.
Jesus did not explicitly forbid symbols like the cross. His teachings emphasized the spirit of worship rather than external forms (John 4:24). The use of the cross as a symbol of faith does not contradict his teachings, as it is not an object of worship but a reminder of his redemptive work. The argument conflates idolatry (worship of created objects) with the legitimate use of symbols to express faith.
In conclusion, the claim that Jesus was executed on a stake and that the cross is a pagan symbol lacks historical, linguistic, and theological support. The evidence overwhelmingly supports the traditional understanding of crucifixion on a cross. The cross is not an idol but a profound symbol of Christ’s sacrifice and victory over sin and death. Efforts to dismiss it as pagan or irrelevant misunderstand its place in Christian faith and history.