cross

Definition

In Bible times, a cross was an upright wooden post stuck into the ground, with a horizontal wooden beam attached to it near the top.

• During the time of the Roman Empire, the Roman government would execute criminals by tying or nailing them to a cross and leaving them there to die.
• Jesus was falsely accused of crimes he did not commit and the Romans put him to death on a cross.
• Note that this is a completely different word from the verb “cross” that means to go over to the other side of something, such as a river or lake.

Translation Suggestions

• This term could be translated using a term in the target language that refers to the shape of a cross.
• Consider describing the cross as something on which people were killed, using phrases such as “execution post” or “tree of death.”
• Also consider how this word is translated in a Bible translation in a local or national language. (See: How to Translate Unknowns)

(See also: crucify, Rome)

Bible References

• 1 Corinthians 1:17
• Colossians 2:15
• Galatians 6:12
• John 19:18
• Luke 9:23
• Luke 23:26
• Matthew 10:38
• Philippians 2:8

Examples from the Bible stories

• __40:1 After the soldiers mocked Jesus, they led him away to crucify him. They made him carry the cross__ on which he would die.
• __40:2 The soldiers brought Jesus to a place called “the Skull” and nailed his arms and feet to the cross__.
• __40:5 The Jewish leaders and the other people in the crowd mocked Jesus. They said to him, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross__ and save yourself! Then we will believe you.”
• __49:10 When Jesus died on the cross__, he received your punishment.
• __49:12 You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died on the cross__ instead of you, and that God raised him to life again.

Word Data

• Strong’s: G47160