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I. THE OCCASION. The scrupulosity of the Jews, which teaches us —

1. That superstition is fuller of ceremony than of mercy.

2. That the worst of men are usually very solicitous about external worship.

3. That malefactors are not to be taken out of the hands of justice, and left to the malice of the executioner or the fury of the multitude. They had to ask leave of Pilate for the additional punishment.

4. That when a man once gives himself up to please men there is no end to his compliance. Pilate who began by consenting to scourge Christ ends by signing an order for the breaking of His legs.

5. That Christ was willing to die for us, hence He died before the usual time. Had His legs been broken His death would have seemed the effect of violence rather than His own resignation (John 10:18).

II. THE CIRCUMSTANCE.

1. AS an act of Christ's love and condescension, that He would expose His body to the malice and violence of wicked men. He might have dried up the soldier's arm as He did Jeroboams; but by this stroke Christ would have His heart opened to show how full of love He is to sinners. As at the beginning Adam's side was opened and Eve was taken out of it; so is the Church out of Christ's side. In this circumstance there is —

(1) Hope for all wounded sinners. It is said of those converts (Acts 2:37) that "they were pricked to their hearts." Christ's heart is wounded that they might be healed. This is the cleft of the rock in which guilty men may find refuge when wrath makes inquisition for sinners.

(2) Matter of thankfulness. Soldiers to endear themselves to their country are wont to show their scars received in public service: so Christ (John 20:27). In the sacrament these things are presented to faith.

2. As a certain pledge of Christ's death. The flowing of blood and water shows that the pericardium was pierced. So His enemies could not say that He was half dead, and that His resurrection was but a reviving out of a swoon. Upon this is based the Resurrection and all its benefits, and the fulness of the expiation which Christ offered to justice.

3. As a Divine necessity. Christ was to die —

(1) As a Surety. We deserved death, but our Surety was to pay our debt. This Christ did (1 Peter 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:6).

(2) As a Testator or Maker of the New Testament. We could never have had the benefit of the Covenant if Christ had not died (Hebrews 9:16).

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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

WEB: However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.