Was Christ crucified with four or three (or two) nails?

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It’s up for the debate. Some early writers say Christ was crucified with three nails. Others with four nails.

St. Gregory of Tours (“On the Glory of Martyrdom”) and St. Cyprian, (“On the Passion” – though this is probably a medieval forgery) say “four nails”.

St. Gregory Nazianzus says “three nails” (in his poem “Christus patiens”).

To complicate matters, St. Ambrose seems to say that there were only two nails! (“De obitu Theodosii” in P.L., XVI, 1402). According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, other early documents imply that there were only two nails.

I can’t figure out why anyone would say “two nails” since Christ had wounds in both hands and in his feet. I can’t figure any way for two nails to make four wounds:

See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have. (Luke 24:39)

I seem to think three because that is the traditional depiction. Also, I trust Nazianzus better than St. Gregory of Tours and St. Cyprian – especially the statement from the latter is a forgery.

What’s your opinion?

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Categories: Church Fathers, Tradition
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Was Christ crucified with four or three (or two) nails?

by


It’s up for the debate. Some early writers say Christ was crucified with three nails. Others with four nails.

St. Gregory of Tours (“On the Glory of Martyrdom”) and St. Cyprian, (“On the Passion” – though this is probably a medieval forgery) say “four nails”.

St. Gregory Nazianzus says “three nails” (in his poem “Christus patiens”).

To complicate matters, St. Ambrose seems to say that there were only two nails! (“De obitu Theodosii” in P.L., XVI, 1402). According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, other early documents imply that there were only two nails.

I can’t figure out why anyone would say “two nails” since Christ had wounds in both hands and in his feet. I can’t figure any way for two nails to make four wounds:

See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have. (Luke 24:39)

I seem to think three because that is the traditional depiction. Also, I trust Nazianzus better than St. Gregory of Tours and St. Cyprian – especially the statement from the latter is a forgery.

What’s your opinion?

Posted on
Categories: Church Fathers, Tradition
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comments Policy: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic. If your comment contains a hyperlink to another site, your comment automatically goes into "Comments Purgatory" where it waits for release by way of moderation.