John 19:34–37 (WEL) One of the soldiers punctured his side with a spear. Immediately, blood and water came out. 35 He who watched this bears witness, and his witness is true. He knows what he says is true, so that you may believe. 36 These things were done so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, “Not one of his bones will be broken.” [Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, and Psalm 34:20] 37 Again, another Scripture says, “They will stare at him whom they have pierced.” [Psalm 22:16 and Zechariah 12:10]
V34 One of the soldiers punctured his side with a spear. Immediately, blood and water came out.
Jesus appeared to be dead, but to make sure, one of the soldiers took his spear and jabbed it into Jesus’s heart. Blood, pericardial fluid, and pleural fluid came out. A true proof that Jesus had physically died. This is important because some heresies say Jesus only swooned instead of dying.
Via Brave AI:
“Anti-docetic proof: Some (e.g., Marianne Meye Thompson, 2015) see the passage as John’s explicit refutation of Docetism, confirming Jesus’ true physical humanity and death.”
V35 He who watched this bears witness, and his witness is true. He knows what he says is true, so that you may believe.
John is telling us as an eyewitness. His purpose is for all people to believe. Compare 1 John 1:1–3.
V36 These things were done so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, “Not one of his bones will be broken.” [Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, and Psalm 34:20]
These actions are a fulfillment of God’s foreknowledge. God does know the future (prescience and foresight).
God does have a blueprint of what He wishes to be done, and it will be done. Part of that blueprint is that He would grant a limited, libertarian free will, that He can override whenever He wishes.
V37 Again, another Scripture says, “They will stare at him whom they have pierced.” [Psalm 22:16 and Zechariah 12:10]
Another testimony: Knowing and believing prophecy are important indicators of God greatness. Any god and often humans can decree something, and it might happen. It might not be guaranteed, but it can happen.
God not only knows the knowable (when a star will be in 1,000 years) but also the unknowable (a person’s decision in the future). This doesn’t mean that He decreed
it to be done.
(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “A theological term that refers to God’s superior knowledge and wisdom, His power to know all things. God is the Lord who knows our thoughts from afar. He is acquainted with all our ways, knowing our words even before they are on our tongues (Psalm 139:1–6, Psalm 139:13–16). He needs to consult no one for knowledge or understanding (Isaiah 40:13–14). He is the all-knowing Lord who prophesies the events of the future, including the death and resurrection of His Son (Isaiah 53) and the return of Christ at the end of this age when death will be finally overcome (Romans 8:18–39; 1 Corinthians15:51–57).
“Only the all-knowing and all-powerful God can guarantee real freedom from sin, decay, and death. He can begin a process of change in believers during the present age; for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17).”
We learn:
- God knows the future.
- Prophecy is to be taken in its plain, normal sense.
- Jesus truly died physically.
Questions:
- Do you interpret prophecy in its plain, normal sense?
- How does the true, physical death of the Lord Jesus affect you?