Does Christ still have the wounds?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, we firmly believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ still bears the holy wounds of His Passion in His glorified and resurrected body.
This is not a sign of weakness or imperfection, but rather the eternal "trophies" of His victory over death and the marks of His infinite love for humanity.
1. Scriptural Evidence of the Resurrected Body
The Holy Gospel confirms that when Christ rose from the dead, He kept the marks of the nails and the spear.
- The Appearance to the Apostles: On the evening of the Resurrection, He showed them His hands and His side (John 20:20).
- The Case of St. Thomas: Eight days later, He specifically invited Thomas to put his finger into the print of the nails and his hand into His side (John 20:27).
Crucially, He did not just have "scars" that had healed over like human flesh; the wounds were open and tactile, yet they were part of a body that could pass through closed doors and was no longer subject to corruption.
2. The Theological Necessity (Miaphysite Perspective)
In our Coptic Orthodox (Miaphysite) Christology, we emphasize that the divinity was never parted from the humanity for a single moment nor a twinkling of an eye.
- The Eternal Intercession: Christ ascended into heaven with His humanity. He is our Great High Priest who stands before the Father. He intercedes for us not just with words, but by "showing" His wounds to the Father as the eternal evidence of the price paid for our salvation.
- The Lamb Slain: In the Book of Revelation, St. John sees a vision of the heavenly throne and describes Christ as "A Lamb as though it had been slain" (Revelation 5:6). This indicates that even in the highest glory of heaven, the marks of His sacrifice are visible.
3. The Purpose of the Wounds in Glory
According to the Holy Fathers, such as St. Cyril of Alexandria and St. John Chrysostom, Christ retained His wounds for several divine reasons:
- To Confirm the Resurrection: To prove to the disciples (and to us) that the same body that suffered on the Cross is the same body that rose—it was not a ghost or a different "spiritual" body without flesh.
- To Convict the Unbelievers: At the Second Coming, the wounds will be the evidence against those who rejected Him. As the Scripture says, "They will look on Me whom they pierced" (Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7).
- For Our Comfort: The wounds are the "cities of refuge" for the sinner. We find healing in His stripes.
4. Distinguishing the Truth from Errors
- The Jews: Those who continue to deny the Messiah will be confronted by these very wounds when He returns in glory. The marks of the nails will be their condemnation for the "transgression" of the Cross.
- Heretics and Protestants: Many Protestants have a "disincarnate" view of heaven, focusing only on a vague "spirit." The Coptic Church remains "Straightforward" (Orthodox) in affirming that heaven contains the True Flesh of Christ, wounds and all. This is why we insist on the Real Presence in the Eucharist; we consume the same Body that was pierced and currently sits at the right hand of the Father.
5. Liturgical Witness
In the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil, the priest confesses at the end: "I believe, I believe, I believe and I confess... that this is the Life-Giving Flesh which Your Only-Begotten Son... took from our Lady... the Holy Theotokos."
We do not worship a Christ who "got over" His suffering, but a Christ who transformed His suffering into eternal glory. Every time we see the Cross or receive the Mysteries, we are reminded that His wounds remain the "fountain of life" for the world.
Summary:
Our Lord Jesus Christ still has His wounds. They are the "adornments" of His glorified humanity. He took them to the Throne of God to show that human nature, once broken by sin, is now healed and glorified through His Holy Passion.