Did Jesus die on a stake or a cross?

One of the doctrines of the Jehovah's Witnesses that is wrong, though not an attack on an essential doctrine of scripture, is their teaching that Jesus died on a stake instead of a cross (Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 89-90).  It really doesn't matter which Jesus died on.  The issue is whether or not He shed His blood for our sins.

In support of their position, they accurately state that the Greek word used in many Bibles which is translated into "cross" is the Greek word "stauros" which means, "an upright stake, esp. a pointed one, a cross."¹ If a stake were used, instead of a cross, then Jesus' hands would have been placed above His head with a nail driven through His wrists.  Since the wrists would most likely overlap, only one nail is needed through both wrists.  However, some Jehovah's Witnesses have maintained that Jesus' hands may have been placed one higher than another on the stake.  The reason they say this is because of John 20:25,

"The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Notice the use of the word nails (plural) in reference to hands (plural).  This is strong evidence that Jesus was crucified on a cross with outstretched hands -- one nail in each hand which would explain the plural nails.  If Jesus was crucified on a stake then both hands would have been placed above his head and only one nail would have been needed to go through both hands.  Again, it says "...in his hands the print of the nails..."

Again, this is not an issue of essential doctrine, but I do believe the evidence is sufficient to demonstrate that the Watchtower organization is incorrect in yet another matter.

_______________________

1

• 1. Enhanced Strong's Lexicon.