John 19:37

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} again {G3825} another {G2087} scripture {G1124} saith {G3004}, They shall look {G3700} on {G1519} him whom {G3739} they pierced {G1574}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And again, another passage says,

“They will look at him whom they have pierced.”

Berean Standard Bible

And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 19:37 records a pivotal moment at the crucifixion, quoting an Old Testament prophecy that declares, "And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced." This verse, cited by the Apostle John, serves as a profound theological statement, affirming that the brutal act of Jesus' piercing on the cross was not a random event but a precise fulfillment of divine prophecy, underscoring His identity as the long-awaited Messiah whose suffering was foretold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of a Roman soldier piercing Jesus' side with a spear after His death on the cross, from which blood and water flowed ([John 19:34](/john/19-34 "John 19:34 - The Piercing of Jesus' Side")). John, an eyewitness, meticulously records this detail, explicitly stating that these events occurred "that the scripture should be fulfilled" ([John 19:36](/john/19-36 "John 19:36 - Fulfillment of Scripture")). John 19:37 then provides the specific Old Testament prophecy that this act fulfills, linking it to the broader narrative of Jesus' passion and demonstrating the divine orchestration of even the most tragic moments. It reinforces the theological argument that Jesus' death was not a defeat but the culmination of God's redemptive plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The crucifixion was a common, brutal form of Roman execution designed to inflict maximum suffering and public humiliation. Roman soldiers were accustomed to dispatching victims, often breaking legs to hasten death. However, in Jesus' case, His legs were not broken, but His side was pierced to confirm death, a detail John highlights as significant. The Jewish expectation of the Messiah was often tied to a conquering king, not a suffering servant. Therefore, John's emphasis on the fulfillment of prophecy, even in the ignominious death of Jesus, was crucial for his Jewish audience to understand Jesus' true identity and the nature of His messianic mission, which involved suffering and atonement rather than immediate political liberation.
* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme in [John 19:37](/john/19-37 "John 19:37 - The Pierced Messiah") is the **fulfillment of prophecy**. John consistently presents Jesus as the one who perfectly embodies and fulfills the Old Testament scriptures, validating His claims and divine mission. This verse specifically highlights the theme of the **suffering Messiah**, demonstrating that the violent nature of Jesus' death was not an accident but part of God's predetermined plan. It draws from prophecies like [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - Looking on the Pierced One") and implicitly connects to the Suffering Servant passages in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), where the Messiah is described as being "pierced for our transgressions." Furthermore, the prophecy carries a **future dimension**, pointing to a time when both Israel and the nations will look upon the one they pierced, leading to repentance and recognition, a theme echoed in [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Shall See Him").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **scripture (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** From G1124, meaning a document, specifically holy Writ or its contents. In this context, it refers to the inspired writings of the Old Testament, emphasizing the divine origin and authority of the prophecy being quoted. John's use of "scripture" elevates the event from mere historical occurrence to a divinely ordained fulfillment.
* **look (Greek, _optánomai'_):** From G3700, this verb denotes gazing with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable, differing from simple observation. It implies a deep, intentional, and often revelatory apprehension. The act of "looking" here suggests not just physical sight but a spiritual recognition and understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done.
* **pierced (Greek, _ekkentéō'_):** From G1574, meaning to transfix or thrust through. This word powerfully conveys the violent, penetrating wound inflicted upon Jesus. Its use underscores the severity of His suffering and directly links the event to the Old Testament prophecy, confirming Jesus as the one who was literally wounded for humanity's sake.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And again another scripture saith,"**: This introductory phrase signals John's intention to provide further scriptural evidence for the divine necessity of the events surrounding Jesus' death. "Again" indicates a second prophecy being cited (the first being in [John 19:36](/john/19-36 "John 19:36 - No Bone Broken")). This highlights John's meticulous approach to demonstrating Jesus' fulfillment of the Old Testament.
* **"They shall look on him"**: This clause refers to a future or ongoing act of observation and recognition. While initially fulfilled by those who witnessed the crucifixion, it also points to a broader, eschatological "looking" upon Jesus, implying a moment of profound realization and acknowledgment of His identity and the significance of His sacrifice.
* **"whom they pierced."**: This is the core prophetic statement, directly identifying the object of the "looking" as the one who suffered a penetrating wound. It unequivocally links Jesus to the Old Testament prophecy, specifically [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - The Mourning for the Pierced One"), and emphasizes the direct responsibility of humanity (represented by "they") for His suffering.

#### Literary Devices
John 19:37 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Allusion** and **Quotation**, as John directly cites an Old Testament prophecy, demonstrating the continuity between God's ancient promises and their fulfillment in Christ. This serves to underscore the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, presenting Jesus' death not as an accident but as the divinely orchestrated culmination of God's plan. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present; those who "pierced" Him, in their act of brutality, unknowingly fulfilled a prophecy that would ultimately lead to their future recognition and mourning. The image of "piercing" itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing not only the physical wound but also the spiritual wound inflicted upon God's Messiah by humanity's sin, which He bore.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 19:37 profoundly connects the physical reality of Jesus' crucifixion to the eternal purpose of God, revealing that even the most violent acts against the Messiah were part of a preordained divine plan for salvation. It firmly establishes Jesus' identity as the Suffering Servant and the Lamb of God, whose death was a substitutionary atonement for humanity's sins. The verse also points to a future eschatological hope, where a global recognition of Jesus as the "pierced one" will lead to a widespread outpouring of repentance and mourning, signifying the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive work. This dual fulfillment, both historical and future, reinforces the sovereignty of God over all events and the certainty of His prophetic Word.

* [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - The Spirit of Grace and Supplication") - The primary Old Testament source for this prophecy, speaking of mourning for the one who was pierced.
* [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Christ's Return and Universal Witness") - Echoes the future fulfillment of this prophecy, stating that "every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him."
* [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Pierced for Our Transgressions") - Connects the piercing to the atoning work of the Suffering Servant, who was wounded for our transgressions.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 19:37 calls us to gaze upon the crucified Christ with eyes of faith and understanding, recognizing that His suffering was not in vain but was the very means by which God's eternal plan of salvation was accomplished. It reminds us that even in moments of profound pain and apparent defeat, God is sovereignly working out His purposes. For believers, this verse offers deep assurance of the reliability of God's Word and the certainty of His promises. It encourages us to reflect on the immense cost of our redemption and to respond with gratitude, repentance, and worship. For those who have not yet acknowledged Jesus, it serves as a powerful invitation to "look on Him whom they pierced" – to see Him not merely as a historical figure, but as the divine Son of God, the Messiah, whose sacrifice offers reconciliation and eternal life. It also instills a hopeful anticipation for the day when all eyes will see Him in His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the fulfillment of this ancient prophecy strengthen your faith in God's sovereignty and the reliability of His Word?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to "look on him whom they pierced"? How does this image impact your understanding of sin and salvation?**
* **In what ways can you live out the truth that Jesus' suffering was for your redemption, in your daily life and interactions?**

### FAQ
**Why does John quote this specific prophecy from Zechariah 12:10?**

Answer: John quotes this prophecy to emphasize the divine orchestration of Jesus' death and to unequivocally identify Jesus as the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. The act of piercing, though brutal, was not random but a precise fulfillment of scripture, demonstrating that Jesus' suffering and death were part of God's redemptive plan. It also highlights the future eschatological significance, where those who "pierced" Him, and indeed all humanity, will one day "look" upon Him and recognize His true identity, leading to a profound spiritual awakening. John's Gospel consistently presents Jesus as the fulfillment of all Old Testament expectations, and this quote serves as a powerful capstone to that theme in the context of the crucifixion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 19:37 stands as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, revealing Jesus as the very embodiment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. The act of His side being pierced, though a brutal historical event, is presented by John as the direct fulfillment of [Zechariah 12:10](/zechariah/12-10 "Zechariah 12:10 - The Pierced One and Mourning"), where the people of Jerusalem and the house of David would "look on me whom they have pierced." This establishes Jesus as the "me" in the prophecy, the divine Son of God who willingly subjected Himself to suffering for humanity's redemption. His piercing is not merely a physical wound but a symbolic representation of the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Furthermore, the prophecy carries an eschatological dimension, pointing to the future return of Christ, as echoed in [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Shall See Him"), where "every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him." Thus, Jesus is not only the fulfillment of ancient prophecy but also the central figure of future hope, the one upon whom all humanity will one day gaze, either in repentance and worship or in judgment, confirming His eternal reign and redemptive work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 12:10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.

Revelation 1:7

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Psalms 22:16

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Psalms 22:17

I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me.