# Cross
A cross is a large, long piece of wood that people place into the ground. This piece of wood is much larger and longer than a human. A cross also has another large piece of wood that is attached to the other piece of wood. It is attached in a way that makes the shape of a  “t,” “T,”or “x.” That is, the “t,” “T,”or “x” in the Latin alphabet. 

During the Roman Empire, the Roman government killed criminals by tying or nailing them to a cross. Being crucified on a cross was the most shameful way to die during New Testament times. It was shameful because the person was said to be a criminal and was hung naked on the cross. The criminals stayed on the cross until they died from losing too much blood and not being able to breathe. 

Sometimes the word "cross" is used to talk about what Jesus did for people when he died on the cross.

See: [Crucify (Crucifixion)](../articles/crucify.md); [Shame (Ashamed)](../articles/shame.md); [Metaphor](../articles/metaphor.md)

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The Romans killed Jesus on a cross. The Jewish leaders wanted to kill him, but the Roman government did not allow Jews to kill people. So they told the Roman rulers lies about Jesus so that the rulers would command their soldiers to crucify Jesus. 

Sometimes the word "cross" is used to talk about Jesus' death on the cross (Colossians 1:20). Sometimes it is used to talk about what Jesus did on the cross to atone for sins (1 Corinthians 1:18). And sometimes it is used to talk about the message about what Jesus did on the cross to atone for sins (1 Corinthians 1:17).

See: [Sin](../articles/sin.md); [Atone (Atonement)](../articles/atone.md); [Save (Salvation, Saved from Sins)](../articles/save.md)