John 19:37
And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse points to a subtle but profound shift in the prophecy: it's not just about what happened to Jesus, but about who is speaking through the prophet Zechariah. The text highlights that John is quoting a passage where God Himself says, "They shall look on Me whom they have pierced," directly identifying the pierced one as God, fulfilling the prophecy in Jesus. This reveals that Jesus, hanging on the cross, was not merely a victim but the divine Lord whom His people had wounded.
The soldiers break the legs of the two crucified men to hasten their deaths, but find Jesus is already dead, preventing this fate for him. A soldier then pierces Jesus' side with a spear, an act that fulfills Scripture and, for John, powerfully points to Jesus as the pierced Lord of Old Testament prophecy. This moment, witnessed by many, is the final event before Jesus' body is taken down for burial.
It's easy to see the soldiers and the crowd as just acting out a brutal, tragic scene. But John points to something far deeper at play.
God's Overruling Providence
John, the author of this Gospel, is astounded by how the horrific events surrounding Jesus' death—things done by enemies with no thought of prophecy—perfectly lined up with what the Old Testament foretold. Think about it:
The Old Testament prophet Zechariah wrote about 'Me' being pierced. John applies this directly to Jesus. What does this astounding claim mean?
The Divine Nature of the Pierced One
The prophecy John quotes from Zechariah 12:10 is remarkable. In the Hebrew, it reads, 'They will look upon Me whom they have pierced.' John applies this to Jesus, the one whose side was pierced by a soldier's spear. This isn't just a general prediction; it's a profound declaration:
Understand the original words
ekkenteō · Greek Verb
To be stabbed, pricked, or wounded with a sharp object. Prophetically, it refers to the violent physical death of the Messiah, often associated with his suffering on behalf of others.
John's choice to quote Zechariah 12:10 in its original Hebrew sense, emphasizing 'pierced' over the Septuagint's 'insulted,' powerfully connects the soldier's spear thrust to the Old Testament prophecy. This highlights how the horrific act of piercing Jesus was foreseen and how, in God's sovereign plan, it fulfills Scripture, drawing all eyes to the pierced Savior.
c. 520 BC
Book of Zechariah Written
Zechariah prophesies about a future outpouring of the spirit of grace and supplication, and a time when the people of Jerusalem will look on the one whom they have pierced.
c. 250 BC
Septuagint Translation
The Greek translation of the Old Testament (Septuagint) renders Zechariah 12:10 as 'they shall look on me whom they have insulted,' softening the piercing of God to an insult.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
During the Passover preparation, the Jewish leaders request Jesus' legs not be broken. A soldier pierces Jesus' side with a spear, and blood and water flow out.
c. AD 90-100
Gospel of John Written
The Apostle John records the events of Jesus' crucifixion, explicitly quoting Zechariah 12:10 in its Hebrew sense of 'pierced,' not the Septuagint's 'insulted.' He highlights the soldier's spear thrust as the fulfillment of prophecy.
This is the direct Old Testament source for the verse John quotes, highlighting God's prophetic lament over His people's rejection and violence towards Him, which John applies to Jesus' crucifixion.
Psalm 22:16While Zechariah speaks of piercing, Psalm 22 uses different language ('they bore through my hands and my feet') to describe the violent treatment of the righteous sufferer, painting a broader picture of the crucifixion's foretold suffering.
Isaiah 53:5This passage describes the Suffering Servant being 'pierced for our transgressions' and 'crushed for our iniquities,' directly linking the physical suffering of being wounded to the atoning purpose of Christ's death.
Revelation 1:7John uses the same powerful Greek word for 'pierced' here as in John 19:37, linking the pierced Christ of the Gospels to His ultimate triumph and the recognition of His reign by all, including those who wronged Him.
barnesJohn 19:37: "And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced."
Another' scripture - Zechariah 12:10 . We must here be struck with the wonderful providence of God, that so many scriptures were fulfilled in his death. All these things happened without any such design on the part of the men engaged in these scenes; but whatever was done by Jew or Gentile tended to the fulfillment of prophecies long on record, and with which the Jews themselves ought to have been familia…
ellicottJohn 19:37: "And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced."
(37) They shall look on him whom they pierced. —The words, as they occur in the Authorised version, of the prophecy are, “They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced,” but the reading which St. John has followed is that of many MSS., and is adopted by many Rabbinic (as Rashi and Kimchi) and many modern authorities (as Ewald and Geiger). The Greek translation (LXX.) of the prophet avoided the strong wor…
This verse points to a subtle but profound shift in the prophecy: it's not just about what happened to Jesus, but about who is speaking through the prophet Zechariah. The text highlights that John is quoting a passage where God Himself says, "They shall look on Me whom they have pierced," directly identifying the pierced one as God, fulfilling the prophecy in Jesus. This reveals that Jesus, hanging on the cross, was not merely a victim but the divine Lord whom His people had wounded.
The soldiers break the legs of the two crucified men to hasten their deaths, but find Jesus is already dead, preventing this fate for him. A soldier then pierces Jesus' side with a spear, an act that fulfills Scripture and, for John, powerfully points to Jesus as the pierced Lord of Old Testament prophecy. This moment, witnessed by many, is the final event before Jesus' body is taken down for burial.
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When the soldier pierced Jesus' side, something unexpected flowed out: blood and water. John doesn't just report this; he sees its profound spiritual meaning.
The Dual Streams of Redemption
The outflow of blood and water from Jesus' pierced side is more than just a physiological observation. John highlights it because it vividly symbolizes the core benefits believers receive through Christ:
c. AD 95
Book of Revelation Written
John, in the Book of Revelation, also uses the strong word for 'pierced' when describing Jesus' appearance to him, echoing the language used in his Gospel.
The soldiers break the legs of the two crucified men to hasten their deaths, but find Jesus is already dead, preventing this fate for him. A soldier then pierces Jesus' side with a spear, an act that fulfills Scripture and, for John, powerfully points to Jesus as the pierced Lord of Old Testament prophecy. This moment, witnessed by many, is the final event before Jesus' body is taken down for burial.
"And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”" — This verse points to a subtle but profound shift in the prophecy: it's not just about what happened to Jesus, but about who is speaking through the prophet Zechariah. The text highlights that Joh…
