Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Just thought that this Topic might be interesting, to at least some of you. None of the following information is intended to sway or coerce any of you in one direction or another. Also this Topic isn't intended to involve whether or not the Cross or Pole is used for Idolatrous purposes, but rather a discussion on the instrument of Christ's death. I noticed in an Email answer that Ray provided to someone about this issue, that it's most likely an upright Pole. I read that in Off Topic Discussions regarding The Topic about Crosses, started by Ricky. As some of you know, I was a JW for twenty years and was taught that Christ died on a Upright Pole or Stake and that isn't a problem for me. So, with that said, let me clearly state, it doesn't matter to me whether or not it was a Cross or Upright Pole. This topic is only for the Stimulating affect of the Discussion.
Some Greek Words to consider: 1) Stauros(pronounced stow-ros)--- primarily a Stake or Post, as set upright. In Classical Greek, the Stauros meant merely an upright stake or pale. It was such a stake that the Greek Hero Prometheus was represented as tied to rocks. Only secondarily did it come to mean a Pole with a crossbeam attached.
2) Xylon or Xulon(pronounced Zoo-lon)----- Timber, Tree or other wooden substance, like a club. In the Revised Standard Version and the Older Versions of the King James at Gal. 3:13; Acts. 5:30; 1Peter. 2:24; Acts. 10:39 & Acts. 13:29. Of interest at Deuteronomy. 21:22, it states: " And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a Tree. ", Verse 23, " his body shall not remain all night upon the Tree, but you shall bury him him the same day, for a hanged man is accursed by God; you shall not defile your land which the LORD(Jehovah) your God gives you for an inheritance." I can't seem to find the Hebrew Word for Tree or Timber for Deut. 21:22. It might be "ets", but not positive. Galatians. 3:13 & Acts. 5:30 is quoting Deuteronomy. 21:22. That seems to indicate, at the very least, the idea of a Crossbeam is a secondary understanding.
3) Crux(Latin for Cross) primarily means a Tree or Frame or other Wooden instruments of execution according to The Latin Dictionary by Lewis and Short. So even the Crux has the basic meaning of Tree, not necessarily requiring a Crossbeam.
Of course there are Historical factors to be considered in all of this, I will only touch on some of the claims and leave the rest for commenting from Forum members.
According to Roman literary sources, those condemned to crucifixion never carried the complete cross, instead only the crossbar was carried, while the upright was set in a permanent place where it was used for subsequent executions. According to Josephus, wood was so scarce in Jerusalem during the First Century A.D.
John. 20:25 mentions THE NAILS that punctured Jesus' hands. There is a controversy as to, how could it be an upright Pole if there were Nails(plural) in the hands necessitating a Cross or if the Nails mentioned applies to more than one body part. I'll let you the reader comment on this aspect.
There is some Archaeological evidence in support of Jesus Death Instrument being a Cross, there are three points in my personal information at home. I decided not to include this information and let Forum Members make their comments and insights.
In conclusion, this is not intended for debating purposes, I have no desire for such and don't plan on engaging in any of that. Feel free to make your Posts, looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards, Samson
P.S. I don't start too many threads, it's that putting on and taking off, glasses thing, it's monotonous and tiring;