There are varying beliefs regarding the device used for Christ's execution. Some believe Christ was killed using a simple, upright pole, others believe he was executed on a cross, and still others believe he was killed on an actual living tree. Each group presents evidence in support of their chosen belief. Though some regard this issue as a small matter, others consider it to be an important doctrine. Therefore, the purpose of this page is to examine these various beliefs and see what we can conclude. We've had feedback that this article can be deep in information because we also delve into the original language of the wording, amongst other things. Therefore we suggest that you take it one paragraph at a time if it becomes overwhelming to you.

To start with, in the New Testament most bibles refer to The Cross as the device Christ was killed on. Some of the places in which this is mentioned is at Matthew 10:38, Matthew 27:32, 42 and Mark 8:34. Other bible versions use the term "Stake". Versions that use the word "stake" include: The Complete Jewish Bible (Available at www.crosswalk.com), The Scriptures (ISR), The New World Translation, and The Sacred Scriptures Bethel Edition. The Bible also refers to Jesus as being hung on a tree (Galatians 3:13) (also Acts 5:30 and 1 Peter 2:24 in King James Version). Since there isn't complete agreement amongst the various bible versions, it is important to check the original language used in the bible in order to know which meaning was originally intended. This is where we need to use an interlinear bible text. We used the Interlinear bible at www.crosswalk.com with their King James Strong's Version to look up the original Greek word for "cross" in the New Testament. We got this information:
1 - The transliterated word is: Stauros, pronounced stow-ros.
2 - Definition #1: An upright stake, esp. a pointed one.
Definition #2: A cross. A well know instrument of most ignominious punishment, borrowed by the Greeks and Romans from the Phoenicians; to it were affixed among the Romans, down to the time of Constantine the Great, the guiltiest criminals, particularly the basest slaves, robbers, the authors and abettors of insurrections, and occasionally in the provinces, at the arbitrary pleasures of the governor, upright and peaceable men also, and even Roman citizens themselves. The crucifixion that Christ underwent.

We also looked up the word "crucify" with the KJ Strong's version, and found this:
1 - The transliterated word is : Stauroo, pronounced stow -ro'-o, a verb.
2 - Definition #1: To stake, to drive down stakes.
Definition #2: To fortify with driven stakes, to palisade
Definition #3: To Crucify: To crucify one, metaph. to crucify the flesh, destroy its power utterly (the nature of the figure implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain).

Next we looked up the word "tree", and this is what we found:
1 - Transliterated word is "xulon" pronounced zoo-lon.
2 - Definition #1: Wood; that which is made of wood, a beam from which anyone is suspended, a gibbet, a cross. A log or timber with holes in which the feet, hands, neck of prisoners were inserted and fastened with thongs. A fetter or shackle for the feet. Definintion #2: A tree.

We searched through the interlinear bible at www.scripture4all.org to see the various instances in which xulon was used. In the King James Version, xulon was used for a variety of meanings, all of which matched the above definitions. The word was used when speaking of staves (Matthew 26:47,55), the device of Christ's death (Acts 5:30, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 2:24), and stockades (Acts 16:24), as well as trees (Luke 23:31).

So far, now, this is what we have:The words "stauros" and "xulon" are both used for references to the device of Christ's murder. Both refer to wooden logs in some manner. Stauros means stake or cross, Xulon means beam, cross, stocks, staff, or tree. In the bible, Christ is referenced as being put on a cross, stake, or tree. At this point though, there is still no proof either way whether Christ was nailed to a simple stake, a living tree, or a cross. Therefore, let's investigate this further.

As for the death resulting from being nailed up, the most popular thought is that Christ would die of suffocation/asphyxiation. According to Frederick T. Zugibe, adjunct associate professor of pathology at Colombia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, he performed extensive experiments to test this theory: He took volunteers and crucified them (they weren't actually nailed, they were suspended by belts and straps on a sturdily constructed cross). He conducted variations of crucifixion: with a suppedaneum and without. (Suppedaneum = a block of wood on which the victim's toes would touch, keeping the knees flexed while suspended on the cross/stauros). The results can be read at these websites here: http://www.crucifixion-shroud.com and http://www.west.net/~shroud/zugibe.htm. These experiments show that a man on a cross would NOT suffocate to death, even when the body was unsupported by anything else. By way of comparison, Hermann Moedder, a doctor of radiology from Austria, carried out an experiment in the 1940's in Cologne, Germany, with medical students. He strapped them with their wrists directly above their heads Within minutes the students grew pale, their lung capacity and blood pressure dropped significantly, and their pulse rates increased. Moedder concluded suffocation would occur in minutes if they were not able to stand and rest. Though we don't have complete information about this experiment, it appears that a suppedaneum wasn't used, neither was a sedile (sedile = block of wood attached to the stauros to support the buttocks slightly). This makes a difference because such devices can act as supports that the victim on the stauros could use for breathing purposes. Now the comparison of the two experiments is interesting, because according to the bible, a crucified man's legs were broken in order to hasten death (John 19:31-32). This would indicate, according to the results of the above mentioned experiments, that Jesus Christ and the two robbers were killed on simple stakes. Breaking their legs would take away the usefulness of the suppedaneum's support, thus hastening their deaths by suffocation. This could not happen on a cross, according to Dr. Zugibe's experiments.

Now we have the matter of the sign posted above Christ's head as stated at Matthew 27:37. If the sign was posted above his head, then that would imply a cross, otherwise it would be above his hands, right? According to scripture, the sign said something to the effect of "Jesus the Nazarene the King of the Jews". This sign was written in three languages: Hebrew, Latin, and Greek (John 19:19-20). Therefore, this couldn't have been a small sign. However, we need to understand that we, the readers, are simply assuming what the position of the sign was. All the bible says is that it was above his head, no indication of postion otherwise. It is possible that Jesus was nailed with his hands straight up, and the sign placed above his head, as indicated by the scriptures, but also slipped in behind his arms. If you hold your hands above your head and look in a mirror you will see that this is a feasible situation.

What about the plurality of nails that were driven into his hands/wrists? (This is spoken of at John 20:25). If Jesus were nailed to a stake, then only one nail would be used to nail his hands/wrists, right? Again, we are assuming only one view. It's reasonable to conclude that a single nail won't support the weight of an adult man. Either the nail would rip out of the pole, or the man's hands would rip off from the nail as the man was hanging there. It seems necessary that multiple nails would be required.

What about the weight of the stauros? The bible states that Christ carried his stauros to the execution site (Luke 23:26). Most believe that this was actually just a patibulum - a cross beam for the arms - not the actual entire cross. But this isn't sensible, because Christ told us, according to the interlinear bibles, that we had to carry our own "stauros" (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 14:27). If we are to translate "stauros" as "cross", then to carry solely the patibulum would be carrying only a part of it, not the whole thing. This would contradict the very thing Jesus himself told us to do. Also, as seen in scripture, a man named Simon was selected to help Jesus carry the stauros (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21). This implies something other than a patibulum. Also, if stauros were to be translated as an entire cross, according to some this could weigh approximately 200 - 300 pounds (about 91-136 kilograms) with the main beam weighing in at about 125 -175 pounds (57 - 80 kilograms). This could probably be managed with the two men, however scripture shows that Simon actually took the stauros to carry on his own (Luke 23:36, John 19:17). However, having just the main stake without a patibulum would be much more manageable weight-wise. This would also do away with the idea of Christ being nailed to a living tree.

So then we researched information regarding how the Cross became the symbol of Christ's execution, since all evidence points to death on a pole or stake. One site, http://www.thewordsofeternallife.com/cross.html was particularly interesting. It shows the cross was not adopted as a Christian symbol until centuries after Christ's death! It was adopted in an attempt to make Christianity more familiar and "friendly" to the pagan converts. We have found other sites with equally interesting information, so we compiled a list of them for your perusal.
http://www.freedomsring.org/fta/chap28.html
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/newworldtranslation/stauros.htm
http://answersquestions.freeyellow.com/cross.html

The evidence shows clearly that the true instrument of Christ's execution was a simple stake, which was later taught to be a cross in order to draw in others from non-Christian backgrounds. Though the actual sacrifice is more important than knowing the intrument used to carry it out, it is still vital that we remove the symbols of false worship from our true worship as outlined in the the scriptures. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).