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| − | {{question}}
| + | #REDIRECT [[Latter-day Saints and the symbol of the cross]] |
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| − | ==Question==
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| − | I have been told that in the original Greek of the New Testament, accounts of Jesus' death only say he was put to death on "a pole." Is the belief of most of Christianity on "the cross" actually misguided?
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| − | ==Answer==
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| − | 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.
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| − | This is, however, neutral as to whether a crossbeam was attached to it.
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| − | The most common form of Roman crucifixion was to use the *crux commissa*, which entailed a permanent pole driven into the ground and a cross beam over the top. This formed the shape of a 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.
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| − | 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.
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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.
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| − | ==Endnotes==
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| − | ''None''
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| − | ==Further reading==
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| − | ===FAIR wiki articles===
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| − | ===FAIR web site===
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| − | *FAIR Topical Guide:
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| − | ===External links===
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| − | * Joe Zias, "Crucifixion in Antiquity: The Evidence," CenturyOne Foundation {{link|url=http://www.centuryone.org/crucifixion2.html}}. Includes archaelogy remains of a 1st century crucifixion victim.
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| − | ===Printed material===
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