Why do religious leaders insist Jesus was executed on a cross, when he was not? It is either they do not know what they should know, or they are complicit with promoting an untruth. When reading the Bible it must be pointed out, it was not written in English, it was translated into English from Hebrew and Greek. The two Greek words used by the writers of the New Testament to describe the instrument upon which Jesus was executed were "stauros" and "xylon". All reputable Biblical historians agree (footnote), the Greek word "stauros signified a stake, an upright pole, or piece of paling." The Greek word xylon meant "tree". In fact, KJ, RS, JB, and Dy translations recognize "xylon" to mean "tree" as written in Galatians 3:13, where it says, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree..." Acts 5:30 concurs, "The God of o...