Was Jesus really nailed to the cross?

Was Jesus really nailed to the cross? Artefacts suggest tales of the crucifixion may have become myth and tradition

• An expert claims there are conflicting reports about the crucifixion
• Although the gospels report it did happen, the details of the process differ
• Some refer to Jesus having nails removed from his hands, while others don't make any reference to them 
• Scholars and artefacts suggest Jesus may have been tied instead of nailed

Jesus' crucifixion is one of the most familiar images from Christianity and Good Friday - approaching next week - marks this iconic event.

But what was crucifixion, and why was Jesus killed that way? 

Meredith Warren, Lecturer in Biblical and Religious Studies at the University of Sheffield reveals that there are conflicting reports about whether Jesus was nailed or tied to the cross, and that the tales may be dictated by tradition in an article for The Conversation.

None of the Gospels in the New Testament mention whether Jesus was nailed or tied to the cross. However, the Gospel of John reports wounds in the risen Jesus's hands. It is this passage, perhaps, that has led to the overwhelming tradition that Jesus' hands and feet were nailed to the cross, rather than tied to it

Some early Gospels, such as the Gospel of Thomas, don't include the narrative of Jesus' crucifixion, choosing instead to focus on his teaching. 

But Jesus' death by crucifixion is one of the things that all four canonical Gospels agree on.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, all include the crucifixion event in their own slightly different ways.