Was the cross just a pole - Revision history

GregSmith at 03:46, 28 April 2024

2024-04-28T03:46:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:46, 28 April 2024
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	Thus, it is true that the Greek does not specify a cross ''per se''. However, historical evidence regarding the Roman practice of crucifixion makes it abundantly clear that Jesus was crucified on a type of cross, even if not quite the traditional Latin cross commonly portrayed.		Thus, it is true that the Greek does not specify a cross ''per se''. However, historical evidence regarding the Roman practice of crucifixion makes it abundantly clear that Jesus was crucified on a type of cross, even if not quite the traditional Latin cross commonly portrayed.

			===The key point for members of the Church of Jesus Christ===
	For Latter-day Saints, the key point is not Jesus' precise method of execution, but that his suffering, death, and resurrection atoned for the sins of all humanity. (See {{s\|2\|Nephi\|9\|7-8}} and {{s\|\|Alma\|34\|12}}.)		For Latter-day Saints, the key point is not Jesus' precise method of execution, but that his suffering, death, and resurrection atoned for the sins of all humanity. (See {{s\|2\|Nephi\|9\|7-8}} and {{s\|\|Alma\|34\|12}}.)
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GregSmith at 03:46, 28 April 2024

2024-04-28T03:46:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:46, 28 April 2024
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	In the original Greek of the New Testament, accounts of Jesus' death only say he was put to death on "a pole." It is true that the Greek word '''σταυρος''' (''stauros'') used in the NT means a "pole" or "stake" driven into the ground, and not specifically a cross. Calling the upright portion a "pole" does not, however, tell us whether a crossbeam was attached to it or not.		In the original Greek of the New Testament, accounts of Jesus' death only say he was put to death on "a pole." It is true that the Greek word '''σταυρος''' (''stauros'') used in the NT means a "pole" or "stake" driven into the ground, and not specifically a cross. Calling the upright portion a "pole" does not, however, tell us whether a crossbeam was attached to it or not.

			===Roman crucifixion===
	The most common form of Roman crucifixion was to use the ''crux commissa'', which used a permanent pole driven into the ground, to which a cross beam was attached at the time of execution. This formed the shape of a capital 'T' and therefore is also called the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tau_cross Tau Cross] (it is also referred to as St. Anthony's Cross). This is different than the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_cross Latin cross], which has a lowered cross piece, forming the classic "cross" shape (somewhat like a lower-case 't').		The most common form of Roman crucifixion was to use the ''crux commissa'', which used a permanent pole driven into the ground, to which a cross beam was attached at the time of execution. This formed the shape of a capital 'T' and therefore is also called the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tau_cross Tau Cross] (it is also referred to as St. Anthony's Cross). This is different than the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_cross Latin cross], which has a lowered cross piece, forming the classic "cross" shape (somewhat like a lower-case 't').

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	Thus, it is true that the Greek does not specify a cross ''per se''. However, historical evidence regarding the Roman practice of crucifixion makes it abundantly clear that Jesus was crucified on a type of cross, even if not quite the traditional Latin cross commonly portrayed.		Thus, it is true that the Greek does not specify a cross ''per se''. However, historical evidence regarding the Roman practice of crucifixion makes it abundantly clear that Jesus was crucified on a type of cross, even if not quite the traditional Latin cross commonly portrayed.

	For Latter-day Saints, the key point is not Jesus' precise method of execution, but that his suffering, death, and resurrection atoned for the sins of all humanity. (See ~~[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/9/7-8#7~~ 2 Nephi 9:7~~–~~8~~], [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/34/12#12~~ Alma 34:12].)		For Latter-day Saints, the key point is not Jesus' precise method of execution, but that his suffering, death, and resurrection atoned for the sins of all humanity. (See {{s\|2\|Nephi\|9\|7-8}} and {{s\|\|Alma\|34\|12}}.)
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GregSmith: Created page with "{{Main Page}} ==Was the cross just a pole?== In the original Greek of the New Testament, accounts of Jesus' death only say he was put to death on "a pole." It..."

2024-04-28T03:36:35Z

Created page with "{{Main Page}} <onlyinclude> ==Was the cross just a pole?== In the original Greek of the New Testament, accounts of Jesus' death only say he was put to death on "a pole." It..."

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{{Main Page}}

<onlyinclude>
==Was the cross just a pole?==
In the original Greek of the New Testament, accounts of Jesus' death only say he was put to death on "a pole." It is true that the Greek word '''σταυρος''' (''stauros'') used in the NT means a "pole" or "stake" driven into the ground, and not specifically a cross. Calling the upright portion a "pole" does not, however, tell us whether a crossbeam was attached to it or not.

The most common form of Roman crucifixion was to use the ''crux commissa'', which used a permanent pole driven into the ground, to which a cross beam was attached at the time of execution. This formed the shape of a capital 'T' and therefore is also called the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tau_cross Tau Cross] (it is also referred to as St. Anthony's Cross). This is different than the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_cross Latin cross], which has a lowered cross piece, forming the classic "cross" shape (somewhat like a lower-case 't').

Accordingly, when the scripture talks about Jesus carrying his cross to the place of execution, it probably was not a huge Latin cross as depicted in the movies (such as Mel Gibson's ''The Passion of the Christ''), but a crossbeam called the ''patibulum'', which would then be placed over the permanently entrenched ''stauros'' or stake.

Thus, it is true that the Greek does not specify a cross ''per se''. However, historical evidence regarding the Roman practice of crucifixion makes it abundantly clear that Jesus was crucified on a type of cross, even if not quite the traditional Latin cross commonly portrayed.

For Latter-day Saints, the key point is not Jesus' precise method of execution, but that his suffering, death, and resurrection atoned for the sins of all humanity. (See [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/9/7-8#7 2 Nephi 9:7–8], [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/34/12#12 Alma 34:12].)
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