The cross stands at the heart of Christian faith—a symbol of salvation, redemption, and sacrificial love. For nearly 2,000 years, Christians have embraced the cross as the instrument through which Jesus Christ conquered sin and death. Yet one group stands in sharp contrast: Jehovah’s Witnesses. They not only reject the cross as the method of Jesus’ death, but they actively oppose it, even labeling it a pagan symbol.

But why? And is their rejection supported by the Bible, history, or archaeology?

In this article, we explore the theological and doctrinal reasons Jehovah’s Witnesses oppose the cross, and we demonstrate through Scripture, early Christian writings, and archaeological evidence that the cross is not a pagan invention—but the very foundation of our salvation.

1. Why Jehovah’s Witnesses Reject the Cross

Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus was executed on a simple upright stake (Greek: stauros), and not a cross. They claim the cross is a pagan religious symbol adopted by later “apostate” Christianity after the 4th century. Their rejection of the cross is based on several key points:

• The word stauros originally meant “stake” in classical Greek.

• They believe post-apostolic Christianity became corrupted and adopted pagan customs, including the cross.

• The cross is considered a form of idolatry and is forbidden in their Kingdom Halls and literature.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Satan deceived Christians into revering a pagan emblem rather than the true teachings of Jesus.

This doctrine is heavily influenced by the writings of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, not Scripture itself.

The cross stands at the heart of Christian faith—a symbol of salvation, redemption, and sacrificial love. For nearly 2,000 years, Christians have embraced the cross as the instrument

One of the defining—but deeply controversial—doctrines taught by Jehovah’s Witnesses is their denial of the traditional Christian teaching that Jesus was crucified on a cross. Instead, they argue He died on a simple upright pole or “torture stake” (stauros in Greek). To support this view, the Watchtower has gone so far as to misquote historical sources—most notably the 16th-century scholar Justus Lipsius—in an effort to rewrite history.

But the evidence, both literary and archaeological, overwhelmingly supports the Christian belief that Jesus died on a cross with a crossbeam. In this expanded article, we expose the Watchtower's selective use of evidence and provide compelling proof from ancient artifacts, inscriptions, and scholarly research that affirm the traditional cross of Christ.

1. Justus Lipsius: Misquoted by the Watchtower

In their 1969 edition of the Kingdom Interlinear Translation, the Watchtower Society included a picture from Justus Lipsius’ 1594 work De Cruce Libri Tres showing a man impaled on a stake. They used an image from page 19 of his book on page 1156 of their work to support their doctrine that Jesus died on a torture stake. However, this was not how Lipsius illustrated Christ's crucifixion. On page 47 of the same book, Lipsius clearly depicts Jesus on a traditional two-beamed cross, known as a crux immissa (†), consistent with the Christian tradition.

Lipsius did discuss various Roman execution methods, including impalement, but he never suggested Jesus was executed that way. On the contrary, he affirms the form used for Jesus was the common Roman cross with a crossbeam.

2. Greek and Roman Practices: The Historical Use of Crosses

The Greek word stauros originally meant "stake," but by the time of Christ and in Roman contexts, it had broadened to mean a cross-shaped instrument of execution. Roman crucifixion practices included several types of crosses:

• Crux Simplex – an upright stake

• Crux Commissa (T-shaped) – vertical stake with a crossbeam on top

• Crux Immissa (†-shaped) – traditional cross with a crossbeam intersecting near the top

Historical accounts, such as those from Roman writers like Seneca, Tacitus, and Josephus, refer to crucifixion using terms that imply a crossbeam, including phrases like "stretching out the arms." Roman punishment for serious crimes, such as sedition (the charge brought against Jesus), often involved the crux immissa for its public visibility and prolonged suffering.

3. Archaeological Evidence: Crosses in 1st–2nd Century Christian Art

Thanks to modern archaeology, we now have physical, visual evidence that the cross with a crossbeam was central to the early Christian community—even within the first two centuries of the Church. This directly contradicts the Watchtower's assertion that the cross symbol was a later invention.

Here are key archaeological finds confirming early Christian use of the traditional cross:

A. Greek Inscription from Beth Loya (Late Roman Period)

• A site in Israel uncovered a Greek inscription that reads: “Jesus Christ is Present.”

• This is not only significant for affirming Jesus' worship among early believers but is paired with a Chi-Rho cross symbol, which combines the first two letters of “Christ” in Greek (Χ and Ρ).

• This Chi-Rho, shaped like a cross with a crossbeam, was widely used by early Christians as a secret symbol of faith and points to the early use of cross-shaped imagery.

B. 1st–2nd Century Judeo-Christian Synagogue in Nazareth

• Excavations revealed a mosaic floor decorated with numerous cross designs.

• These crosses include Tau-Rho crosses, Jerusalem crosses, and traditional † shapes.

• This proves that early Jewish Christians in Nazareth—within the lifetime or shortly after the Apostles—were using cross symbols in worship and gathering places.

C. Jerusalem Crosses

• Found in multiple 1st–2nd century locations, the Jerusalem Cross (a large cross with four smaller crosses in its quadrants) shows that the shape of the cross was not only known but revered.

• Its symmetrical form reflects theological symbolism of Christ's dominion over the world and was carved or painted in early Christian settings.

D. Cross Artwork at Beth Shean Ruins, Israel

• At this ancient Roman-Byzantine site in northern Israel, cross motifs are still visible in the architectural remains.

• These were likely part of a Christian community’s structures, again pointing to the prominence of the traditional cross shape in early centuries.

These findings align with research by Dr. Titus Kennedy, an American archaeologist and expert in biblical archaeology, who has documented early Christian symbolism, including inscriptions and artwork, that confirm the cross—not a torture stake—was central to early Christian worship and identity.

4. Early Church Writings and Symbolism

Early Christian authors and apologists were also clear in their understanding of the cross:

• Justin Martyr (2nd century) repeatedly refers to the cross as a recognizable symbol of Christ’s death, comparing it to objects with crossbeams like sails, plows, and tools.

• Tertullian (c. 160–225 AD) wrote: “In all our travels and movements, at every departure and arrival, at every putting on of shoes, at the bath, at the table, in the lighting of lamps, in lying down, sitting down… we trace upon the forehead the sign [of the cross].”

• The Epistle of Barnabas (late 1st or early 2nd century) interprets Old Testament symbols as referring to the cross, indicating it was understood as part of the earliest Christian theology.

Conclusion: The Cross of Christ is Historical and Theologically True

The Watchtower's rejection of the cross is not supported by historical, linguistic, or archaeological evidence. The misrepresentation of Justus Lipsius’ work, combined with a disregard for early Christian symbolism and Roman crucifixion methods, undermines their credibility.

In contrast, Christian belief that Jesus died on a cross with a crossbeam is supported by:

• The accurate reading of Lipsius' De Cruce,

• Roman execution practices,

• Greek linguistic development,

• Early Christian writings, and

• Compelling archaeological evidence from Israel itself—where Jesus lived, died, and rose again.

The cross is not a pagan symbol later adopted. It is a historical reality that bore the body of the Son of God, who gave His life for the salvation of mankind.

The cross stands at the heart of Christian faith—a symbol of salvation, redemption, and sacrificial love. For nearly 2,000 years, Christians have embraced the cross as the instrument

One of the most controversial theological positions held by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses) is their claim that Jesus did not die on a traditional cross but rather on a simple upright stake, or "torture stake." This teaching departs not only from centuries of Christian tradition but also from archaeological, linguistic, and historical evidence. A striking example of this misrepresentation appears in the 1969 edition of the Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures—particularly in the Appendix on page 1156.

Here, the Watchtower attempted to validate their doctrine by citing the work of the 16th-century scholar Justus Lipsius (Latin: Iustus Lipsius) and his treatise De Cruce Libri Tres (Three Books on the Cross), published in 1594. They included an image from his work showing a man impaled on a single stake, falsely implying that Lipsius supported the idea that Jesus was executed in this manner. However, this is a gross misrepresentation of Lipsius’ actual position and the contents of his book.

Who Was Justus Lipsius?

Justus Lipsius was a renowned Flemish philologist and humanist scholar of the late Renaissance. His treatise De Cruce is an exhaustive historical and literary study of the Roman use of various instruments of execution, particularly the cross. He was not speculating or theorizing theological doctrine—he was documenting historical fact, including Roman crucifixion methods from classical sources.

What Did Lipsius Actually Teach?

In De Cruce, Lipsius described several types of crosses used by the Romans, including the crux simplex (a single upright stake) and the crux compacta (a structure with a crossbeam). While he acknowledges that impalement on a stake existed as a form of execution in antiquity, he clearly affirmed that Jesus died on a traditional cross—the kind with a crossbeam, known as a crux immissa or crux capitata (†).

The clearest proof of Lipsius’ position is found in Book I, Chapter 5, page 47 of his original Latin work, where he included an illustration of Jesus on a cross with a crossbeam. This image shows Jesus nailed to a traditional two-beamed cross, the form most commonly associated with Roman crucifixion and universally accepted in Christian tradition.

The Watchtower’s Misleading Use of Lipsius’ Work

In the 1969 Kingdom Interlinear Appendix, the Watchtower Society placed an illustration of a man impaled on a single upright stake. This image does appear in Lipsius’ work, but it was not used to depict Jesus’ crucifixion. Instead, it was part of his academic explanation of Roman execution methods in general. The Watchtower did not include the illustration of Jesus on a traditional cross that Lipsius himself used to represent the crucifixion of Christ.

This selective presentation of evidence amounts to a serious case of academic dishonesty. Lipsius’ work, when read in full, refutes the very claim the Watchtower tries to make. By omitting the page 47 image and context, the Society misled readers into believing Lipsius supported their interpretation, when in fact, he did not.

Scholarly Consensus and Linguistic Evidence

Beyond the misquotation of Lipsius, linguistic and archaeological evidence also supports the traditional cross. The Greek word "stauros" (σταυρός), while it could mean "stake" in earlier Greek usage, had by the Roman period evolved to commonly mean a cross-shaped execution device. Greek-speaking Christians of the first centuries, including Church Fathers, used the word with full awareness of Roman crucifixion practices—and they understood it to mean a cross with a crossbeam.

Conclusion: Misleading Scholarship Undermines Trust

The misuse of Justus Lipsius' De Cruce by the Watchtower is a striking example of how selective citation and misrepresentation of historical sources can lead sincere readers astray. Far from supporting the idea that Jesus was executed on a stake, Lipsius’ scholarship and illustrations affirm the traditional Christian belief that Christ was crucified on a cross.

When evaluating theological claims—especially those that contradict nearly 2,000 years of Christian consensus—it’s essential to examine original sources carefully. In this case, Justus Lipsius should be read directly, not filtered through the lens of Watchtower publications.

Sources:

• Justus Lipsius, De Cruce Libri Tres (1594)

• Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, 1969 Edition, Appendix, p. 1156

• Bruce M. Metzger, The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration

• F.F. Bruce, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable?

FACTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS THAT CHALLENGE JEHOVAH'S WITNESS BELIEFS