Topical Encyclopedia The piercing of Christ's side is a significant event that underscores His genuine human nature. This event is recorded in the Gospel of John and serves as a testament to the reality of Jesus' physical body, affirming that He was truly human and not merely a spiritual or phantom presence.Biblical Account The piercing of Jesus' side is detailed in John 19:31-37. After Jesus had died on the cross, the Jewish leaders, not wanting the bodies to remain on the crosses during the Sabbath, asked Pilate to have the legs of those crucified broken to hasten their deaths. However, when the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. This act fulfilled the Scripture: "Not one of His bones will be broken," and another Scripture that says, "They will look on the One they have pierced" (John 19:36-37). Theological Significance 1. Physical Reality of Christ's Body: The flow of blood and water from Jesus' side is a powerful indication of His true humanity. This physical reaction is consistent with a real human body, subject to the same biological processes as any other human being. The presence of blood and water suggests the rupture of the pericardium, a condition that medical professionals recognize as a sign of death, further affirming that Jesus truly died a human death. 2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The piercing of Jesus' side fulfills Old Testament prophecies, specifically Zechariah 12:10, which speaks of looking upon the one who was pierced. This fulfillment not only authenticates Jesus' messianic identity but also His participation in human history as a tangible, physical being. 3. Symbolic Meaning: The blood and water that flowed from Jesus' side have been interpreted by theologians as symbols of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Baptism, respectively. These sacraments are deeply rooted in the physical reality of Christ's incarnation and His tangible presence in the world. The sacraments themselves are means by which believers participate in the life and death of Jesus, further emphasizing His human nature. 4. Eyewitness Testimony: The Gospel of John emphasizes the eyewitness nature of this account. John 19:35 states, "He who saw it has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe" . This insistence on eyewitness testimony underscores the reality of the event and, by extension, the reality of Jesus' human nature. 5. Christ's Suffering and Death: The piercing of Jesus' side is a stark reminder of His suffering and death, experiences that are inherently human. The physical pain and the ultimate sacrifice of His life are central to the Christian understanding of redemption and are only possible because of His true humanity. In summary, the piercing of Christ's side is a profound testament to His human nature. It confirms the physical reality of His body, fulfills prophetic Scripture, and holds deep theological significance for the understanding of His incarnation and the sacraments. This event, witnessed and recorded in the Gospel of John, remains a crucial element in affirming the true humanity of Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook John 19:34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and immediately came there out blood and water. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Letter xxviii. To Flavian Commonly Called "The Tome. " Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ... Letter cxx. To Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, on Perseverance in the ... Christ the Conqueror of Satan Letter cxxiv. To the Monks of Palestine. Against Marcionists and Manich??ans. The Tome of St. Leo. Book xi. The Apostle in his Letter to the Ephesians, Reviewing in ... Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ... All Fulness in Christ Resources What is the Christian view of human cloning? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the human soul? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to be human? | GotQuestions.org Human: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being a Man of Sorrows The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being Buffeted The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being Nailed to the Cross The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being Scourged The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being Subject to Weariness The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Birth The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Burial The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Circumcision The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Conception in the Virgin's Womb The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Death The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Enduring Indignities The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Having a Human Soul The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Hungering The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Increase in Wisdom and Stature The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Partaking of Flesh and Blood The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Resurrection The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Side Being Pierced The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Sleeping The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Thirsting The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Weeping The Human Nature of Christ was Like Our own in all Things Except Sin The Human Nature of Christ was Necessary to his Mediatorial office The Human Nature of Christ was of the Seed of Abraham The Human Nature of Christ was of the Seed of David The Human Nature of Christ was of the Seed of The Woman The Human Nature of Christ was Submitted to the Evidence of the Senses The Human Nature of Christ was Without Sin The Human Nature of Christ: Acknowledged by Men The Human Nature of Christ: Attested by Himself The Human Nature of Christ: Confession of, a Test of Belonging to God The Human Nature of Christ: Denied by Antichrist The Human Nature of Christ: Genealogy of Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
    |