In their crusade against pagan ritual and relic, the “witnesses” have dug into history and “discovered” that Jesus was not really crucified on a cross, as we know the word, but rather on a “pole.”
I did my own bit of digging and found that they may be right, in part, which seems to be the norm for most of their points: right, in part. Truth, but not the whole truth.
Yes, it could have been a simple pole for many people’s deaths in that era. But for others, it could have been a combination of an upright pole and crossbeam that did the job. This crossbeam was then carried by the prisoner, and attached later to a post. The same pole would be used repeatedly, since wood was not so plentiful in that day.
In addition, a pole, or “stake” (Greek “stauros”, the word translated “cross”), could be hundreds of pounds, so only the cross piece was able to be carried. You’ll recall that Peter was told he would “stretch out his arms” at the end of his own ministry. This stretching would not be necessary if only a pole were being used.
“Stauros,” stake or post, instrument of capital punishment, is the Greek word translated “cross” in most Bibles. The NWT gives a literal rendition of the word, but does a disservice to the Christian community by implying that Jesus was simply hung on a pole, when there are several options from which to choose based on history.
The NWT also wrongly says that Jesus was “impaled” on a stake, rather than hung on a cross. “Impaling” is what you would do if you used the stake to stab the victim. Ridiculous. No, victims were nailed or tied. We know that nails (plural) were used to crucify Jesus, for Jesus mentions two nail prints when challenging Thomas to investigate them.
What does the Word say? Jn 20:25. “…unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails…”
Q. On what was Jesus crucified? Was it not a cross?
JWA. Absolutely not. The cross is a creation of false religionists, and has become the symbol of false religion all over the world. Jesus was hung on a “stake” or “post”, says the meaning of the word “stauros” in the Greek.
Q. There is some truth in what you say. And a study of the subject shows that the Romans crucified people both ways. Sometimes just a pole. Other times, the victim was asked to carry his cross-piece to the site, at which time it would be connected to the main pole, a tree so heavy that no victim would be able to get it up that hill. These poles could be used multiple times, and only the top portion would be for a specific victim. Jesus did carry something up that hill. Since it wasn’t likely that He bore the 300 pound pole, He probably carried a cross-piece. I notice you use the word “impale” in your text also. Wouldn’t “nail” be a better choice.
JWA. “Impale” has the idea of piercing with a sharp object.
Q. True, but the implication is that the pole itself did the piercing, as with a sword. This is not what you really meant to imply, I think. Is nail a possible substitute?
JWA. You will see in our literature that when we picture Jesus’ death, we show Him nailed.
Q. And how many nails are placed in his hands, in your picture?
JWA. Why, one of course. Since it was a pole, and not a cross, one could put both of the hands together and nail one nail to fasten them.
Q. Yes, one could, if it was a pole. But if it were a cross, more than one nail would be needed?
JWA. Obviously.
Q. That is why I have quoted here the very words of Thomas, who wanted to see the nails in his hands. Plural.
CA: It is foolish to spend too much time on such a thing. Once more the Witnesses have made an assumption, and placed their own assumption in the Holy Scriptures. It is a bad habit, and will not produce good things in those who practice it. Jesus was placed on a cross, as all the artwork (though of course uninspired) has shown from the beginning. It is true that pagans have used the cross, just as false witnesses have used the Bible, but the cross and the Bible remain as true symbols of the Christian faith.
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