John 19:34
New International Version
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.

New Living Translation
One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

English Standard Version
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

Berean Standard Bible
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

Berean Literal Bible
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water came out immediately.

King James Bible
But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

New King James Version
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

New American Standard Bible
Yet one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

NASB 1995
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

NASB 1977
but one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water.

Legacy Standard Bible
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

Amplified Bible
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came [flowing] out.

Christian Standard Bible
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.

American Standard Version
howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water.

Contemporary English Version
One of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus' side, and blood and water came out.

English Revised Version
howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, one of the soldiers stabbed Jesus' side with his spear, and blood and water immediately came out.

Good News Translation
One of the soldiers, however, plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water poured out. (

International Standard Version
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water immediately came out.

Majority Standard Bible
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

NET Bible
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out immediately.

New Heart English Bible
However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

Webster's Bible Translation
But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came out blood and water.

Weymouth New Testament
One of the soldiers, however, made a thrust at His side with a lance, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

World English Bible
However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came forth blood and water;

Berean Literal Bible
But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water came out immediately.

Young's Literal Translation
but one of the soldiers with a spear did pierce his side, and immediately there came forth blood and water;

Smith's Literal Translation
But one of the soldiers with a javelin pricked his side, and quickly came out blood and water.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Instead, one of the soldiers opened his side with a lance, and immediately there went out blood and water.

New American Bible
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

New Revised Standard Version
Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
One of the soldiers struck him on his side with his spear, and at once blood and water issued forth.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
but one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear; and immediately there came out blood and water.

Godbey New Testament
but one of the soldiers pierced His side through with the spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

Haweis New Testament
but one of the soldiers with his lance pierced his side, and immediately there gushed out blood and water.

Mace New Testament
but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and immediately blood and water issued out.

Weymouth New Testament
One of the soldiers, however, made a thrust at His side with a lance, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

Worrell New Testament
but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and straightway there came out blood and water.

Worsley New Testament
but one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus' Side is Pierced
33But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35The one who saw it has testified to this, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.…

Cross References
Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

1 John 5:6-8
This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. / For there are three that testify: / the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.

Revelation 1:7
Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.

Psalm 22:16
For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.

Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Exodus 12:46
It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of the bones.

Numbers 9:12
they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.

Psalm 34:20
He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 7:38-39
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” / He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Matthew 27:54
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

Mark 15:39
When the centurion standing there in front of Jesus saw how He had breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Luke 23:47
When the centurion saw what had happened, he gave glory to God, saying, “Surely this was a righteous man.”

1 Corinthians 10:4
and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.

Hebrews 9:14
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!


Treasury of Scripture

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and immediately came there out blood and water.

came.

John 13:8-10
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me…

Psalm 51:7
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Ezekiel 36:25
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

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Blood Flow Flowed Forth Forthwith Howbeit However Immediately Instead Jesus Lance Once Pierce Pierced Side Soldiers Spear Straight Straightway Sudden Thrust Water Wound
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Blood Flow Flowed Forth Forthwith Howbeit However Immediately Instead Jesus Lance Once Pierce Pierced Side Soldiers Spear Straight Straightway Sudden Thrust Water Wound
John 19
1. Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, and beaten.
4. Pilate is desirous to release him,
15. but being overcome with the outrage of the crowd, he delivers him to be crucified.
23. They cast lots for his garments.
25. He commends his mother to John.
28. He dies.
31. His side is pierced.
38. He is buried by Joseph and Nicodemus.














Instead
This word indicates a contrast or an alternative action. In the context of the crucifixion, the soldiers were breaking the legs of those crucified to hasten death. However, Jesus was already dead, so "instead" of breaking His legs, they pierced His side. This fulfills the prophecy that not one of His bones would be broken (Psalm 34:20), highlighting the divine orchestration of events even in His death.

one of the soldiers
The Roman soldiers were executors of the crucifixion, representing the authority of the Roman Empire. Their actions were routine and methodical, yet this particular soldier's action was significant in fulfilling prophecy and revealing deeper theological truths. The soldier's unwitting participation in God's redemptive plan underscores the sovereignty of God over human affairs.

pierced His side
The act of piercing Jesus' side is rich with symbolism and fulfills the prophecy found in Zechariah 12:10, "They will look on Me, the One they have pierced." The piercing signifies the depth of Jesus' suffering and the reality of His death. In a broader theological sense, it represents the opening of a new covenant, as His side, like the side of Adam, brings forth life—symbolizing the birth of the Church.

with a spear
The spear, a weapon of war, becomes an instrument of revelation. It is through this violent act that the truth of Jesus' humanity and divinity is revealed. The spear's penetration into Jesus' side is a physical confirmation of His death, countering any claims that He merely swooned or fainted. It also serves as a metaphor for the piercing of the human heart by the truth of the Gospel.

and immediately
The immediacy of the blood and water flowing out emphasizes the certainty and reality of Jesus' death. It also suggests the urgency and importance of the event, as if to draw the observer's attention to the significance of what is happening. This immediate flow is a divine sign, pointing to the fulfillment of Scripture and the inauguration of a new era in salvation history.

blood and water
The flow of blood and water has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history. Blood represents the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Water symbolizes purification and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Together, they signify the sacraments of the Eucharist and Baptism, foundational elements of Christian life and worship. This dual flow from Jesus' side is a profound testament to the completeness of His redemptive work.

flowed out
The flowing out of blood and water is a vivid image of life and cleansing emanating from Jesus. It signifies the outpouring of grace and the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity. This flow is not just a physical phenomenon but a spiritual reality, inviting believers to partake in the life-giving and cleansing power of Jesus' sacrifice. The continuous flow suggests the ongoing availability of His grace to all who believe.

(34) But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side.--They had seen that He was dead, and therefore did not break the legs. To cause death was not, then, the object in piercing the side; and yet it may have seemed to make death doubly sure. The word rendered "pierced" occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, but it is certain, from John 20:27, that the act caused a deep wound, and that the point of the lance therefore penetrated to the interior organs of the body. If the soldier stood before the cross, this wound would naturally be in the left side.

And forthwith came there out blood and water.--"Various physiological explanations have been given of this fact, such as--(1) that the lance pierced the pericardium, which contained a small quantity of watery lymph, which immediately flowed out; and also the heart, from which the blood flowed, the actual death taking place at this moment; (2) that the physical death of Christ resulted from rupture of the heart, and that the cavities of the heart and the surrounding-vessels contained a watery fluid; (3) that decomposition of the blood in the corpse had taken place, the solid matter being separated from the fluid, so that it would appear to be blood mixed with water. (Comp. Notes on 1John 5:5-6.)

Whatever solution we adopt, it is clear that death had taken place some time previously (John 19:30), and that, while we cannot say which physical explanation is the true one, there is within the region of natural occurrences quite sufficient to account for the impression on the mind of St. John which he records here. We have to think of the disciple whom Jesus loved looking at the crucified and pierced body of his Lord, and remembering the picture in later years, and telling that there flowed from that pierced side both blood and water.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Instead,
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

one
εἷς (heis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

soldiers
στρατιωτῶν (stratiōtōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4757: A soldier. From a presumed derivative of the same as stratia; a camper-out, i.e. A warrior.

pierced
ἔνυξεν (enyxen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3572: To prick, pierce. Apparently a primary word; to prick.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

side
πλευρὰν (pleuran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4125: The side of the body. Of uncertain affinity; a rib, i.e. side.

with a spear,
λόγχῃ (lonchē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3057: A lance, spear. Perhaps a primary word; a 'lance'.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

immediately
εὐθὺς (euthys)
Adverb
Strong's 2112: Immediately, soon, at once. Adverb from euthus; directly, i.e. At once or soon.

blood
αἷμα (haima)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

water
ὕδωρ (hydōr)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5204: Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively.

flowed out.
ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.


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NT Gospels: John 19:34 However one of the soldiers pierced his (Jhn Jo Jn)
John 19:33
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