John 19:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced."

NIV: and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."

NASB: And again another Scripture says, 'THEY WILL LOOK AT HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.'

CSB: Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the one they pierced.

NLT: and 'They will look on the one they pierced.'

KJV: And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

NKJV: And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

At Passover, Israel would sacrifice spotless lambs (Exodus 12:5), being careful not to break any bones (Exodus 12:46). This was symbolic and prophetic. Jesus, the sinless man (1 Peter 2:22) has been executed without His bones being broken (John 19:32–33). This is yet another fulfillment of prophecy (Psalm 34:20). John also noted soldiers gambling for Jesus' clothes (John 19:24; Psalm 22:18) and giving Him sour wine (John 19:28; Psalm 69:21) as references to the Old Testament.

Among the more traumatic things John witnessed at the foot of the cross (John 19:26) was a soldier impaling Jesus' side after His death. This resulted in a gruesome rush of fluids (John 19:34–35). Even though Jesus was also "pierced" by the nails used in crucifixion, the spear wound was a dramatic fulfillment of yet another Old Testament prophecy. The passage John has in mind is Zechariah 12:10. This section of prophecy refers to an eventual realization, by all of Israel, that they have "pierced" their own King and Messiah.

The cynical claims of Jerusalem's religious leaders (John 19:15) and the sarcastic sign placed on Jesus' cross (John 19:19) contribute to this sense of rejection.

John 19:31–37 graphically confirms Jesus was dead before being taken from the cross. To speed up the execution, allowing the bodies to be buried before the Sabbath, soldiers break the legs of the other condemned men. Jesus, however, is clearly dead already. This is verified when a soldier stabs Jesus through the side with a spear. John notes two Old Testament references which allude to this as part of the Messiah's death. Only John, a direct eyewitness to this part of the crucifixion, includes this detail.

Pilate recognizes Jesus' innocence, but fears the mob assembled by Jewish religious leaders. He attempts to satisfy them by having Jesus viciously whipped and mocked. This only results in more cries for Jesus' death. The governor then shifts to protect his own reputation, ordering Jesus to be crucified on a charge of being "King of the Jews." John is directly present as Jesus is executed. He notes the fulfillment of several prophecies as Jesus dies. Once He is confirmed to be dead, Jesus' body is taken by two friendly members of the ruling council. They hastily bury Him in the borrowed crypt of a rich man.

When Jesus was first brought to Pilate, His innocence was obvious (John 18:36–38). However, the mob refuses to be satisfied with anything less than crucifixion. Pilate gives in to these demands. John, who is present for the entire gory spectacle, notes several instances of fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 22:18; Psalm 69:21; Exodus 12:46; Zechariah 12:10). Jesus is then buried in the borrowed tomb of a rich man (Isaiah 53:9) to complete yet another Old Testament prediction. A guard will be posted to ensure no one steals the body (Matthew 27:62–68), which will only serve to confirm that Jesus' eventual resurrection was a true miracle (John 20:1–8).

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.