[Cicero]

I've read the "scientific" theories you may be thinking of, which say that the nails must have been through the wrists not the palms to support Christ's weight on the cross, but that is really speculative. How many times have scientists said, "It must have been this way, or that way" -- and then they were proved wrong? We don't really know for sure how crucifixions were performed generally, let alone in that particular instance.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Also, I have read accounts that the nails went through both the hands and the wrists. In other words, there was a specific technique used to anchor the upper limbs as simply putting a nail through just one place might not provide enough support.

The bottom line here is that no one knows the specific method used during crucifixions. Certain individuals on this thread are attempting to insinuate an evil connotation to stigmata where none exists. That stinks.

For the record:

A week later, the disciples were once more in the room, and this time Thomas was with them. Despite the locked doors, Jesus came and stood before them. "Peace be with you," he said; then, to Thomas: "Take your finger and examine my hands. Put your hand into my side. Do not persist in your unbelief, but believe!" (John 20:26-27)

[B Knotts]

I actually saw a story on some show (on TLC or Discovery channel, I think) an experiment that was carried out on this matter. They showed that presuming there was a block for His feet, the nails could very well have been through Jesus' hands; the amount of support at those points needed would be relatively minimal.