Where does the Bible say Jesus' Hands and Feet were nailed to the Cross?

Question:

Does it tell in the bible of nailing Jesus feet and  hands to the cross, and where does it say his feet and hands were nailed to the cross?

Submitted by DB on May 15, 1999

Answer: (Given by Bro. Jon Mullins)

Hello, and thank you for asking your questions, "Does it tell in the Bible of nailing Jesus’ feet and hands to the cross? " and "Where does it say His feet and hands were nailed to the cross?" These are very good, thought provoking questions. 

In a review of the four gospel accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus (See primarily Matthew Chapter 27, Mark Chapter 15, Luke Chapter 23, and John Chapter 19) it is noted that there is no detailed account of the manner or form of which Jesus hung on the cross. The bible states in these passages simply that Jesus was crucified between two thieves at Golgotha, or "The Place of the Skull." Therefore, we might ask, as you are suggesting, "How then are we to know that the feet and hands of Jesus were pierced in the act of crucifying him on the cross?" In order to answer this, we need to read further of the accounts of Jesus’ appearing to the apostles, specifically Thomas, and listen to Jesus’ statement to Thomas when he doubted Jesus’ appearing. We can also look at the manner in which a person was crucified, according to its definition and also relate one prophetic passage of scripture to the piercing of Jesus hands and side. 

First, I would like to direct your study to the book of Luke, Chapter 24, verses 36-44, where Jesus has appeared to his apostles. In verse 39 Jesus states, "See My hands, and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." Continuing in verse 40, the bible says, "And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet." Why would Jesus direct the attention of the apostles to his hands and feet? Surely most of us recognize even our closest of intimates by their facial features, voice, and overall body structure before examining their hands and feet. I am sure the same would be true at the time that Jesus appeared to the apostles. Jesus’ statement to the apostles here leads me to conclude that there was something unique about the appearance of His hands and feet that would help them to know without a doubt that He was indeed appearing to them in the flesh, risen from the dead, as He said that He would. 

Second, we need to examine what the Bible states in regard to Thomas, and His doubting the other apostles when he was told by them that Jesus had appeared. We see in John 20:19-23 how that Jesus appeared to the apostles, although Thomas was not with them. He then proceeded to show His hands and his side.  The verse goes on to say that the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Again this points out the importance Jesus must have placed on showing them physical signs of His crucifixion. These must have been the nail marks in His hands, and the place where His side was pierced through. Later, the disciples were talking to Thomas, and the following is recorded in chapter 20, verses 24-28, in the book of John. "But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore were saying to him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’ And after eight days again His disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst, and said ‘Peace be with you.’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand, and put it into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing.’ Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’" I find the preceding section of scripture to be most convincing that nails pierced Jesus’ hands, because it does say that Jesus would have the imprint of the nails in his hands. I am sure that this was the reason Jesus showed the apostles His hands and His feet. He was confirming to them, and to Thomas in this passage, that He was indeed the risen Savior. He told them that they should be at peace, for He fulfilled that which He said He would do, and was again among them, in the flesh, even though later he would ascend to Heaven, but He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them.

Next as I was referencing Old Testament Scripture that prophesied of the crucifixion of Jesus, I have found the following, found in Zechariah 12:10.  " And I will pour out of the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born." We do indeed see this scripture fulfilled in John 20:27, which is written out above, when Jesus is telling Thomas to Reach out finger and see His Hands. It is good to be able to recognize that the Old Testament prophesies that Jesus would be pierced. This does indeed help to validate that His hands and feet were pierced through as He was crucified on the cross.

In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, we find on page 138, under the heading of Cross, Crucify the following definition and information. "A. Noun-stauros-denotes, primarily, ‘an upright pale or stake.’ On such malefactors were nailed for execution. Both the noun and the verb stauroo, ‘to fasten to a stake or pale,’ are originally to be distinguished from the ecclesiastical form of a two beamed cross." We see in this definition that those that were to die by crucifixion were nailed to the cross.

In conclusion, it seems more than evident that the Bible does indeed support the fact that Jesus was nailed to the cross, with the nails piercing His hands and feet. There are many sources available to research further the practices and customs of the time that were not referenced here. If you should have any further questions, please do not hesitate to write to me at my email address of popsicle@networkone.net , or you may contact the Quartz Hill Church of Christ website. 

Back to the Index of Questions and Answers

What's New   |  TOC  |  Home  |  Contact Information   |  Personal Studies
Correspondence Courses  |   Ask a Question  | The Bible
Software   |  Guestbook  |  Visitor Log

Member of the Church of Christ Ad Exchange.

© Copyright 1998-2006. Quartz Hill church of Christ. All rights reserved.