Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus died on a stake rather than a cross due to their interpretation of the original Greek words used in the Bible and their understanding of early Christian history. Here's a breakdown of their reasoning:
* Interpretation of Greek Words:
* They emphasize that the Greek word often translated as "cross" (σταυρός, *stauros*) primarily means an upright stake or pale. They point to various lexicons and historical sources that support this definition.
* They argue that the word *xylon*, also used in the New Testament, simply means "wood" or "tree" and doesn't inherently imply a cross shape.
* Lack of Biblical Description:
* They argue that the Bible itself doesn't explicitly describe the shape of the execution device. There's no detailed description that confirms it was a cross with a crossbeam.
* Early Christian History:
* They claim that the cross as a religious symbol was adopted later, after the time of Jesus' death, and was influenced by pagan symbols and traditions.
* Rejection of Pagan Symbolism:
* Jehovah's Witnesses avoid religious symbols that they believe have pagan origins or are not explicitly commanded in the Bible. They see the cross as such a symbol.
It's important to note that these interpretations are specific to Jehovah's Witnesses and differ from the views held by many other Christian denominations.