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.

Jump to Previous
Blood Flow Flowed Forth Forthwith Howbeit However Immediately Instead Jesus Lance Once Pierce Pierced Side Soldiers Spear Straight Straightway Sudden Thrust Water Wound
Jump to Next
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, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear
This action fulfilled the prophecy found in Zechariah 12:10, which speaks of looking on the one they have pierced. The piercing of Jesus' side by a Roman soldier was a customary practice to ensure death, especially in crucifixions, where breaking the legs was another method to hasten death. The Roman soldiers were experts in execution, and this act confirmed Jesus' death, countering any claims that He merely swooned. The spear's use also aligns with the Roman military practices of the time, where soldiers carried spears as part of their standard equipment.

and immediately blood and water flowed out
The flow of blood and water has been interpreted both medically and theologically. Medically, it suggests the rupture of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, indicating that Jesus was truly dead. Theologically, the blood and water symbolize the sacraments of the Eucharist and Baptism, representing purification and the new covenant. This imagery connects to 1 John 5:6-8, which speaks of the Spirit, the water, and the blood as witnesses. The immediate flow signifies the completeness and finality of Jesus' sacrificial death, fulfilling His mission to atone for sin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure of the New Testament, whose crucifixion is the focal point of this passage. His death and the events surrounding it are pivotal to Christian theology.

2. Roman Soldier
An unnamed soldier who pierced Jesus' side with a spear. This act fulfilled prophecy and had significant theological implications.

3. Golgotha
The place where Jesus was crucified, also known as "The Place of the Skull." It is a site of immense significance in Christian tradition.

4. Blood and Water
The substances that flowed from Jesus' side, symbolizing both the sacrificial nature of His death and the cleansing and life-giving aspects of His sacrifice.

5. Crucifixion
The method of execution used for Jesus, which was a common Roman practice for criminals but holds deep spiritual meaning for Christians as the means of atonement for sin.
Teaching Points
Fulfillment of Prophecy
The piercing of Jesus' side fulfills Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating the divine orchestration of His sacrificial death.

Symbolism of Blood and Water
Blood represents atonement and sacrifice, while water symbolizes cleansing and the Holy Spirit. Together, they signify the complete work of salvation.

The Reality of Jesus' Death
The physical act of piercing and the flow of blood and water confirm the true humanity and death of Jesus, countering any claims that He did not truly die.

Invitation to Spiritual Cleansing
Just as blood and water flowed from Jesus' side, believers are invited to experience spiritual cleansing and renewal through His sacrifice.

The Witness of the Cross
The events at the crucifixion serve as a powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel and the depth of God's love for humanity.(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.


Links
John 19:34 NIV
John 19:34 NLT
John 19:34 ESV
John 19:34 NASB
John 19:34 KJV

John 19:34 BibleApps.com
John 19:34 Biblia Paralela
John 19:34 Chinese Bible
John 19:34 French Bible
John 19:34 Catholic Bible

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