John 19:37
And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 9
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
2 of 9
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
γραφὴ
scripture
G1124
γραφὴ
scripture
Strong's:
G1124
Word #:
4 of 9
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ὄψονται
They shall look
G3700
Ὄψονται
They shall look
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
6 of 9
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
εἰς
on
G1519
εἰς
on
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 9
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Zechariah 12:10And 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 1:7Behold, 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.
Historical Context
Zechariah prophesied around 520-518 BC, 550 years before crucifixion was even invented by Phoenicians and adopted by Romans. The specific detail of 'piercing' (דָּקַר, daqar in Hebrew; ἐκκεντέω, ekkenteo in Greek) rather than generic 'killing' demonstrates prophetic precision only explicable by divine inspiration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Zechariah's 'piercing' prophecy demonstrate supernatural foreknowledge of crucifixion method 550 years before its invention?
- What does it mean that all will 'look upon' the One they pierced—how does this apply both at conversion and final judgment?
- How should recognition that our sins 'pierced' Christ shape our understanding of personal accountability for His death?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced (καὶ πάλιν ἑτέρα γραφὴ λέγει· Ὄψονται εἰς ὃν ἐξεκέντησαν, kai palin hetera graphē legei· Opsontai eis hon exekentēsan)—John cites Zechariah 12:10. The verb ὄψονται (opsontai, 'they shall look, gaze upon') combined with ἐξεκέντησαν (exekentēsan, 'they pierced') describes the spear thrust (19:34) but points beyond to eschatological fulfillment. Zechariah's prophecy has dual fulfillment: historical (the crucifixion) and future (Christ's second coming when all will see the One they pierced, Revelation 1:7).
This prophecy carries both judgment and grace. Those who 'pierced' Him—representing all sinners whose sins nailed Him there—will 'look upon' Him either in saving faith or condemning judgment. The same wounded Christ is both Savior and Judge. Zechariah 12:10 continues: 'they shall mourn for him'—mourning in repentance (Second Coming) or mourning in terror (final judgment).