3057. logché
Lexical Summary
logché: Spear, Lance

Original Word: λογχή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: logché
Pronunciation: log-KHAY
Phonetic Spelling: (long'-khay)
KJV: spear
NASB: spear
Word Origin: [perhaps a primary word]

1. a "lance"

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
spear.

Perhaps a primary word; a "lance" -- spear.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a lance or spear
NASB Translation
spear (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3057: λόγχη

λόγχη, λογχης, ;

1. the iron point or head of a spear: Herodotus 1, 52; Ken. an. 4, 7, 16, etc.

2. a lance, spear (shaft armed with iron): John 19:34. (the Sept.; Pindar, Tragg., and following.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview

Strong’s Greek 3057 names the instrument by which a Roman soldier verified the death of Jesus Christ. More than a detail of weaponry, it becomes an inspired signpost that unites history, prophecy, doctrine, and personal faith.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Matthew 27:49 – Certain early manuscripts record that one of the soldiers “took a spear and pierced His side.” The reading is debated, but its presence in a significant textual tradition shows how closely this weapon was associated with the Passion narrative from the earliest centuries.
2. John 19:34 – “Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out”. John treats the act as eyewitness testimony (John 19:35), underlining its evidentiary value for the reality of the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

Historical and Cultural Background

The Roman hasta or lance was a common infantry weapon, roughly six to seven feet long, tipped with iron. Soldiers used it not only in combat but also for ensuring that an executed criminal was truly dead. Piercing the victim’s side was quicker and less grisly than breaking legs (cf. John 19:33), and it prevented any sign of fraudulent survival. The practice fit Roman military discipline: a centurion who allowed a prisoner to escape could pay with his own life (Acts 12:19; Acts 16:27-28).

Prophetic and Theological Dimensions

Zechariah 12:10 foretells, “They will look on Me, the One they have pierced.” John cites this prophecy directly (John 19:37), presenting the spear-thrust as divine fulfillment rather than random cruelty. Psalm 22:16 and Isaiah 53:5 speak of piercing as part of the Servant’s suffering. The event therefore confirms that Jesus is the promised Messiah and that every detail of Scripture proves trustworthy.

Blood and Water: A Witness to Completed Redemption

John alone notes the immediate flow of “blood and water.” Early Christian writers saw both physiological and symbolic value:
• Physiological – The separation of fluids indicates that death had already occurred, countering later claims that Jesus merely swooned.
• Symbolic – Blood points to atonement (Hebrews 9:12-14); water hints at cleansing and the gift of the Spirit (John 7:37-39). 1 John 5:6-8 appeals to “the Spirit, the water, and the blood” as converging witnesses, likely alluding back to this same event. Thus the spear becomes an unplanned yet divinely ordered testimony to the completed work of the cross.

Typological Connections

1. The smitten rock in the wilderness (Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11) released life-sustaining water only after it was struck. Paul later identifies that rock with Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4).
2. Eve was fashioned from Adam’s side while he slept (Genesis 2:21-22); the Church is born through the wounded side of the second Adam.
3. Passover regulations forbade breaking any bone of the lamb (Exodus 12:46). John notes that the soldiers did not break Jesus’ legs, preserving the type, while the spear assured death without bone fracture (John 19:33, 36).

Pastoral and Practical Reflections

• Assurance of Salvation – The public verification of Jesus’ death removes all doubt that the atonement is objective and finished.
• Scriptural Confidence – The precise fulfillment of prophecy deepens trust in the reliability of both Testaments.
• Call to Witness – John’s emphasis on eyewitness testimony urges believers to bear accurate, firsthand witness to Christ today.
• Gratitude and Worship – Meditating on the cost of redemption, down to the very spear-thrust, stirs heartfelt worship and obedience.

Related Scriptures for Further Study

Psalm 34:20; Isaiah 53:5; Zechariah 13:1; John 7:37-39; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Hebrews 10:19-22; Revelation 1:7

Forms and Transliterations
λόγχαι λόγχαις λόγχας λογχη λόγχη λόγχῃ λογχην λόγχην lonche lonchē lónchei lónchēi lonchen lonchēn lónchen lónchēn
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 27:49 N-AFS
GRK: δὲ λαβὼν λόγχην ἔνυξεν αὐτοῦ
INT: moreover having taken a spear pierced of him

John 19:34 N-DFS
GRK: τῶν στρατιωτῶν λόγχῃ αὐτοῦ τὴν
NAS: His side with a spear, and immediately
KJV: of the soldiers with a spear pierced
INT: of the soldiers with a spear his

Strong's Greek 3057
2 Occurrences


λόγχῃ — 1 Occ.
λόγχην — 1 Occ.

3056
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