the crucifixion question?

[magisterfaust]

Was Christ put upon a cross, because "The new world translation" jehovah witness version of the bible, which I am told is the most accurate translation there is of the original hebrew texts, plainly states he was impaled upon a stake. Quite an integral part of the story of jesus, and such confusion and arguement....????

 

[Jnwaco]

Much of the New Testament was written in Greek and translated from Greek to Latin, then to other languages. So maybe they got the Hebrew correct (OT), to my knowledge the earliest texts of the NT aren't in Hebrew, they're greek or latin.

And I know that didn't answer your question. The greek word for cross can indeed mean both, a stake, or the Roman form of punishment, the actuall cross that we think of today. I think that the evidence is in the scripture, when it talks about the holes in his hands and feet, both plural.

 

[Adoniram]

Was Christ put upon a cross, because "The new world translation" jehovah witness version of the bible, which I am told is the most accurate translation there is of the original hebrew texts, plainly states he was impaled upon a stake. Quite an integral part of the story of jesus, and such confusion and arguement....????

The NWT Bible is not the most accurate translation of the Scriptures.

"The New World Translation is unique in one thing – it is the first intentional systematic effort at producing a complete version of the Bible that is edited and revised for the specific purpose of agreeing with a group's doctrine." Is the New World Translation a valid version of the Bible?

The Jehovahs Witness cult does not believe that Jesus was crucified on the cross, which is why they substitute "torture stake." There is no confusion among the vast majority of Christiandom as to how Christ died.

 

[bsd31]

People were impaled on stakes, and hung on crosses. It says that Jesus was hung on a cross. The only reasonable debate is what shape/design the cross was.

 

[Jnwaco]

John mentions that Thomas wanted to see Jesus' hands and the prints of the nails (plural) in his hands, implying that more than one nail was used for his hands. It's not conclusive, but it seems that if he was on a single verticle stake, one nail would have been driven through both hands. Jehovah's witness picture Jesus with both hands pierced by one nail.

Justin Martyr refers to a cross-shaped device, not a stake.

Roman historians spoke about those crucified as having to carry their own cross beam to already standing crucifixion posts (Tacitus, for example).

 

[childofGod31]

Was Christ put upon a cross, because "The new world translation" jehovah witness version of the bible, which I am told is the most accurate translation there is of the original hebrew texts, plainly states he was impaled upon a stake. Quite an integral part of the story of jesus, and such confusion and arguement....????

Actually, I think it shows how we focus our attention on wrong things. What matters is that He died and shed His blood for us and now He is able to save us.

But also it shows how we can come to believe certain things and take them as an "of course" type of thing, but later realize that we were wrong all along... I think there might be quite a few things like that...

Sometimes it seems that people worship the Bible, but don't worship God. They say: oh, the Bible is holy. But then by their life they do not honor God or treat Him as holy in their hearts...isn't this also interesting...

 

[marlowe007]

Some Lexicons have suggested that the Greek word 'stauros' can only mean an upright pale, stake or pole; and never two pieces of wood joining together at any angle. This claim is nothing but root fallacy IMO.

 

[drich0150]

A "Cross" would correspond more accurately with the accounts of Jesus and Thomas than being impaled upon a stake would.

John20:
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"


Plus why would the Roman soldier need to Perice the side of Jesus with a spear to see if He were dead if He were already run through with a stake?

Also know that the "Hebrew texts" in which the JW bible was written are about as elusive as the Golden plates from which the book of Mormon are written.

 

[Harry3142]

According to the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House Publishers, the NWT translators claimed to be following the dictates of Dr. Julius Mantey and Dr. Robertson, who coauthored Grammar of the Greek New Testament. Both of those eminent classical Greek scholars contacted the Watchtower Society, stating that they did not approve of their translation.

 

[aiki]

The NWT is likely the worst translation of the Bible that exists. As was already noted, this translation was intended to reinforce JW doctrine, so it is carefully "translated" in accordance with this purpose.

"Dr. Robert Countess, who wrote a doctoral dissertation on the Greek text of the New World Translation, concluded that the translation 'has been sharply unsuccessful in keeping doctrinal considerations from influencing the actual translation...It must be viewed as a radically biased piece of work. At some points it is actually dishonest. At others it is neither modern nor scholarly.'"

" ...British scholar H. H. Rowley asserted, 'From beginning to end this volume is a shining example of how the Bible should not be translated.'"

"Dr. Julius Mantey, author of a A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament, calls the New World Translation 'a shocking mistranslation'"

"Dr. Bruce Metzger, professor of New Testament at Princeton University, calls the New World Translation 'a frightful mistranslation,' 'erroneous,' 'pernicious,' and 'reprehensible.'"

(All Quotations from Reasoning from the Scriptures with Jehovah's Witnesses by Ron Rhodes, pg. 97)

Peace.

 

[Ben007]

Was Christ put upon a cross, because "The new world translation" jehovah witness version of the bible, which I am told is the most accurate translation there is of the original hebrew texts, plainly states he was impaled upon a stake. Quite an integral part of the story of jesus, and such confusion and arguement....????

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According to most Scholars, especially the First Century Historian Josephus, the Romans had no policy to impale their victims. The Roman custom was to use the two-piece wood instrument to punish rebels: The vertical and horizontal pieces, which became known as cross.
Ben