You may have seen a recent article questioning whether Jesus was actually nailed to the cross, suggesting He might have been tied with ropes instead. As a believer, I was troubled by this claim that contradicts both Scripture and church tradition. Let's examine what the Bible actually says about this important question and why it matters for our faith.

When we look at Scripture, the evidence for Jesus being nailed to the cross is actually quite clear:

John's Explicit Testimony
In John 20:25, Thomas declares: "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."

Jesus then invites Thomas: "Put your finger here, and see my hands" (v.27). This exchange plainly confirms Jesus had nail wounds in His hands after the resurrection.

Luke's Supporting Account
Luke 24:39-40 records Jesus saying, "See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see." While not explicitly mentioning nails, Jesus points to distinctive wounds in His hands and feet as proof of His identity.

Paul's Theological Reference
In Colossians 2:14, Paul writes that God canceled "the record of debt that stood against us… nailing it to the cross." This powerful metaphor depends on the historical reality of Jesus being nailed to the cross.

The Old Testament contains several prophecies about piercing that found fulfillment in Jesus' crucifixion:

• Psalm 22:16 - "They have pierced my hands and feet" - a remarkably specific prophecy
• Isaiah 53:5 - "He was pierced for our transgressions"
• Zechariah 12:10 - "They will look on me, on him whom they have pierced"

The Gospel writers frequently reference Psalm 22 during the crucifixion narrative, showing they understood Jesus' death as fulfilling these ancient prophecies.

The argument suggesting Jesus might have been tied with ropes instead of nails has several significant flaws:

1. It selectively ignores clear biblical testimony about nail marks
2. It undermines Scripture's reliability based on speculation rather than evidence
3. It contradicts the unanimous testimony of early church writers
4. It dismisses the prophetic significance of piercing in the Old Testament

Those suggesting Jesus might have been tied with ropes rely heavily on what Scripture doesn't say in the crucifixion narrative rather than what it clearly does say in the resurrection accounts.

This isn't just an academic debate about historical methods. The nail marks in Jesus' hands and feet carry profound theological significance:

1. They confirm specific Old Testament prophecies
2. They provided physical evidence of Jesus' resurrection
3. They demonstrate the reality of Christ's suffering
4. They remain part of His glorified body as an eternal memorial

The nail marks in Jesus' hands and feet tell a beautiful story of God's love and redemption plan. These wounds are eternal reminders that:

• God entered into human suffering completely
• Our salvation came at a tremendous cost

In Jesus' nail-scarred hands, we see both the price of our redemption and the depths of His love. These marks will remain visible throughout eternity as a testament to the greatest act of love the world has ever known.

As Jesus told Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). While we cannot physically see these nail marks today, Scripture assures us they exist as permanent proof of what our Savior endured to secure our salvation.