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Summary
- The Gospels never say how big the nails were, and the only time Scripture names them is when Thomas speaks of “the print of the nails” in Jesus’ hands.
- The one crucifixion nail found from Jesus’ time and country, in a heel bone buried at Givat HaMivtar in Jerusalem, is 11.5 cm, about 4.5 inches, long.
- The 7-inch figure often quoted came from the first study of that bone, and a re-examination in 1985 corrected it.
- Few crucifixion nails survive, because victims were often tied, bodies were seldom buried and nails were pulled out to be reused or kept as charms.
- The Gospels speak of wounds in Jesus’ hands and feet; whether the nails went through palms or wrists, and whether there were three or four, no ancient source settles.
- Tradition says the Empress Helena found the nails, and thirty or more nails said to be from the cross have been venerated in Europe’s churches, though the Catholic Encyclopedia itself doubts their authenticity.
- The risen Jesus kept the marks of the nails and showed them to Thomas, and he called blessed those who believe without seeing.
Bibliography (Click to show)
- King James Version, quoted from Bible Gateway: Psalm 22:16; Isaiah 53:5; Zechariah 12:10; Matthew 27:35; Luke 23:33; 24:39–40; John 19:38; 20:25–29; Colossians 2:14.
- Hershel Shanks, “New Analysis of the Crucified Man,” Biblical Archaeology Review, November/December 1985, reporting Joseph Zias and Eliezer Sekeles, “The Crucified Man from Giv’at ha-Mivtar: A Reappraisal,” Israel Exploration Journal 35 (1985), reprinted as “Roman Crucifixion Methods Reveal the History of Crucifixion,” Bible History Daily, Biblical Archaeology Society.
- Matti Friedman, “In a stone box, the only trace of crucifixion,” The Times of Israel, 26 March 2012.
- University of Cambridge, “Evidence of a Roman crucifixion found in Cambridgeshire,” 8 December 2021.
- Mishnah Shabbat 6:10, William Davidson Edition, Sefaria.
- Flavius Josephus, The Jewish War 2.14.9, translated by William Whiston, Project Gutenberg.
- William D. Edwards, Wesley J. Gabel and Floyd E. Hosmer, “On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ,” JAMA 255, no. 11 (21 March 1986): 1455–63.
- Herbert Thurston, “Holy Nails,” The Catholic Encyclopedia, vol. 10 (1911), New Advent.
- Socrates Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History 1.17, translated by A. C. Zenos, New Advent.
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