Most depictions of crucifixes show the wound on Jesus’ right side – opposite from the heart cavity. Do we know for sure or is it a pious tradition that the spear entered his right side?
John, the evangelist who tells us that Jesus’ side was pierced (cf. John 19:32-35), does not say which side was pierced. Crucifixes are artistic renderings, not exact reproductions, so the depiction of Christ’s chest wound on the right side may be symbolic. In Scripture, those on Jesus’ right are the ones to be saved (Matt. 25:32-33) and they are saved by the blood that he shed for them (Matt. 26:28).
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