Nailed on palms or on Wrist ?

[chrix]

I always thought and was taught that Jesus was nailed on the Palm.

Recently the Catholics are telling me that research idicates that He was nailed on the wrist. This doen't contridict the Bible as the hebrew Word for Hand includes the wirst.
The Hebrew version states that Jesus was nailed on the Hand.

They say that it was not possible for Jesus to be nailed on the wrist as there ar no bones to hold the weight of jesus if nailed from th e palm. The nail will simply tear through the skin.

My question is, if this is true, then why does the wounds of a stigmata appears on the palm and not on the wrist ?

Chrix

 

[JillLars]

This is a really good question Chrix. I think that Jesus was nailed through the wrists. It would have been difficult for the weight of his body to have been held up by the small bones and cartilage in the hands, but I'm really not sure. The appearance of stigmata in history has appeared on both the hands and on the wrists. I'm not sure if either would be an indication of what actually happened to Jesus. There is some evidence that if the person receiving the wounds believed that the wounds were to the hands, then they would have wounds in their hands, and those who believed that the wrists were pierced would have wounds on the wrists. I am not sure how much credibility there is in stigmata, that is a different topic altogether. I hope more people have answers for you, great question!

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

You are correct that the nails were driven through the wrists to be able to support the body and that the ancient conception of the hand included the wrist. I'm not sure how this should affect how we interpret stigmata.

 

[Wolseley]

There were various methods of crucifixion. Sometimes the body was attatched to the crossbeam with ropes, and the hands were nailed through the palms to prevent the arms from slipping through the ropes.

Another method was place a small section of wood over the top of the palm to form a sort of "sandwich", and the nail was driven through the wood, through the palm, and into the crossbeam, thus securing it. Dale Foreman, in his book Crucify Him (Zondervan, 1990 ISBN 0-310-51211-5, pg 141, now regrettably out of print) tells of the remains of a crucified man unearthed at the cemetary of Gi'vat Ha-Mivtar, Israel, in 1968, who was crucified in such a manner. The feet had been placed sideways to the crossbeam, and nailed with a piece of wood on top as well, making the knees in a permanently bent position.

 

[nyj]

Since the stigmata is a private revelation, I don't think it really matters. However, it is an easily recognizable symbol amongst Christians. You see a wound in the palm, you think of the crucifixion. You see a wound in the wrist, you probably would not. No one said the stigmata had to scientifically/medically match the exact wounds of Christ.

 

[Christian Dave]

Every one i know and every picture/drawing ive seen has suggestid the palm.
I agree with that.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Today at 11:55 AM Christian Dave said this in Post #6

Every one i know and every picture/drawing ive seen has suggestid the palm.
I agree with that.

Medievil artists had no experience with crucifixion, so they simply placed the wounds in the palms.

Here is a good site describing the horrid agony our Lord went through on Good Friday:
http://www.konnections.com/Kcundick/crucifix.html

 

[SoldierofChrist]

The drawings and paintings are not accurate to what Roman crucifixion requires. Not to mention there is no way for nails through the palms to be able to hold the body weight of an individual, regardless. The nail would simply rip through in between the fingers. The wrist, however, can support the weight of the body, because where the wrist connects to the arm there is bone on all sides which would be adequate to support the weight of an individual.

Jesus Christ is Lord!

1 Cor. 14:15 "if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain."

 

[isshinwhat]

I believe Jesus had the nails placed through his palms, and I believe it is physically possible for it to have supported his weight. Check this site out. I think the majority of people will find it interesting. Be warned, though, parts of it could be considered graphic.

http://shroud.com/zugibe.htm

God Bless,

Neal

 

[artnalex]

I was just watching a show on crucifixion and they stated that a palm could definitely support the body's weight - IF THE FEET WERE ALSO NAILED TO THE CROSS. The feet relieve more than 50% of the body's weight and pressure, as the body rests on the feet, not on the hands.

 

[artnalex]

By the way, Jesus showed Thomas his wounds and it included holes in the palms of the hands, not the wrists.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Ancient peoples considered the wrist to be part of the hand, so the Bible does not clarify the issue.

 

[panterapat]

The stigmata is for our edification. The placement on the wrist or hands does not affect the meaning of this sign.

The Shroud of Turin I believe, has nail wound marks on the wrist.

In Christ, Patrick

 

[Oblio]

I was just watching a show on crucifixion and they stated that a palm could definitely support the body's weight - IF THE FEET WERE ALSO NAILED TO THE CROSS. The feet relieve more than 50% of the body's weight and pressure, as the body rests on the feet, not on the hands.

There is also tradition (in the East) that Christ was supported by a bar under His feet.

 

[Malachi383]

Roman tradition was generally through the wrists. The palm doesnt have the ability, even with only 50% of the body weight, to hold a person.

Someone mentioned the will of a stigmatist being involved. I would say quite the contrary. St Pio wished the physical signs of it would disappear. Yet they did not. Mind over matter is not the case.