Passion & Last Supper✦ Passion CenterpieceClear Fulfillment

Side Pierced

Written: ~520 BCFulfilled: ~AD 30

Zechariah prophesied that the Lord himself would be pierced, fulfilled when a soldier thrust a spear into Jesus's side.

Prophecy & Fulfillment

Old Testament Prophecy

Zechariah 12:10

"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child."

New Testament Fulfillment

John 19:34-37

"Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus's side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water... And, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced.""

Commentary

This prophecy is remarkable because it speaks of God being pierced ("they will look on me, the one they have pierced"). John quotes it directly after the spear thrust. The flow of blood and water from Jesus's side has been interpreted as evidence of a ruptured pericardium, indicating death by heart failure.