Romans ruled over the land at the Time of Jesus the Christ. And their way (Roman Rule) was to "attach" people to a "tree" hence probably a "stake". But alot of emtional people like their Savior hung on a cross I guess. But if you really think about it it was the shedding of that "sinless" blood for your sins according to Jhon 3:17....so cross or stake? Just accept that Jesus the Christ was thinking about saving YOU reader when he was bleeding to death for the sins of the world.