JESUS IS DEPICTED AS BEING NAILED TO A CROSS IN MANY ARTIST'S IMPRESSIONS OF HIS CRUCIFIXION. Some People Think That This Is Incorrect Because Not Only Is There A Scripture That States Jesus Was Nailed To The Cross But Also Hung From A Tree. In most people's minds there is a difference between being hung from a tree and nailed to a cross.

Was Jesus Nailed to a cross? According to the bible. Acts 5:30-31, acts 10:39 he was hung on a tree.

Harry Riches Answer requested by Ricardo Collier

The two texts that you quote, state:

• The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:30-31)
• And we are witnesses to all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. (Acts 10:39)

One of the punishments that a Pharaoh used was to hang people from trees as we learn from the following account:but

• And Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days; within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you!—and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat the flesh from you.” On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and lifted up the head of the chief butler and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief butler to his butlership, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand; but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. (Genesis 40:18-22)

Moses instructed the Israelites to be less gory, when it comes to punishment, than Pharaoh (who actually symbolizes the god of this world in Scripture):

• “And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is accursed by God; you shall not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance.

The Gospels tell us that the Jesus was crucified on a cross and another man was ordered to carry it:

• And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. (Mark 15:21)
• Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. (Mark 15:32)

The Romans used different types of crosses made out of trees for crucifixion:

• The crux simplex (I). An upright pole (called the crux simplex) was used for the purpose of crucifixion. A combination of the upright pole and a crossbeam formed another simple type of cross. The person to be crucified would carry the crossbeam to the place of execution. The crossbeam would then be attached to the post.
• The crux decussata (X), also called the crux Andreana, because according to tradition St. Andrew was said to have suffered upon it.
• The crux commissa (T), or St. Anthony's cross. This type of cross was formed like a T.
• The crux immissa (t), or Latin cross, which was the kind of cross on which Jesus Christ died. The Latin cross had a longer descending arm associated with the cross of Jesus crucifixion. Roman Crucifixion
• The furca, meaning a fork was the name of another Roman instrument of punishment. It was a piece of wood in the form of the letter A. The furca was used in the ancient mode of capital punishment among the Romans; the criminal was tied to it, and then scourged to death.
• The patibulum was also an instrument of punishment, resembling the furca; it appears to have been in the form of the letter Π . Both the furca and patibulum were employed as crosses to which criminals were nailed.

Evidently, wood was used for crosses and they would have often been reused. Anything hanging from a cross, whether they were nailed or bound by ropes, would be hanging from a tree. The people of the apostles’ day agreed that wood came from a tree and understood that Jesus took upon Himself the curse of the Law, so that all who take up their own cross and follow Him would also be raised from the dead.

However, the reference to us taking up our own cross and following Jesus is figurative. If a person seeks to be pedantic, bear in mind, the Bible does not say that the tree has to be alive, nor does it prohibit the tree from being cut down or uprooted. We are told that the person must not remain on the tree over night, even though a person who is hanged on a tree and dies is accursed by God.

The law only becomes a curse if we disobey it. Those who take up their cross to follow Jesus will be raised into newness of life, but not to disobey the commandments of God.

• And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He who says “I know him” but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 John 2:3–6)

When the Apostle John (who was immersed into a vat of boiling oil and lived) wrote the above, he was not expecting us to take up a tree and be hung from it, as Lord Jesus was when crucified. The Apostle John was teaching those who loved their Savior to keep His commandments and walk in the same way in which Lord Jesus walked, without sinning.

The Ten Commandments Were Designed For You To Enjoy And Possess Life