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Ordinary Time · The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus · Year B

John 19:31-37

Blood and Water from the Pierced Side

June 4, 2027

Longinus Piercing Christ's Side with a Spear, Gerard de la Vallee
Longinus Piercing Christ's Side with a Spear, Gerard de la Vallee, 17th centuryPrivate collection
A Flemish painting of the moment the spear goes in, with the centurion on horseback and the crowd already turning away.One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.Gerard de la ValleeA Flemish painter of religious subjects working in Antwerp in the seventeenth century.Private collectionIn private hands, which is why it is seen in reproduction far more often than in the flesh.Private collection
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 19:31-37Jn 19:31-37
Second ReadingEph. 3:8-12, 14-19Eph 3:8-12, 14-19
First ReadingHos. 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9Hos 11:1, 3-4, 8c-9
Responsorial PsalmIsa. 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 (3)Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6 (3)

Overview & Insights

"One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water." (John 19:34)

After Jesus dies, the soldiers leave his legs unbroken and pierce his side, from which blood and water flow, and the evangelist ties this to Scripture about the Passover lamb and the one who is pierced.

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Commentary

Enduring Word: John 19Enduring Word: Jn 19 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the crucifixion and the pierced side.

BibleHub: Commentaries on John 19:31BibleHub: Commentaries on Jn 19:31 BibleHub

Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the piercing of Jesus' side.

Precept Austin: John 19 CommentaryPrecept Austin: Jn 19 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed study page gathering many commentators on John 19.

Working Preacher: Commentary on John 18:1-19:42Working Preacher: Commentary on Jn 18:1-19:42 Working Preacher

Lutheran lectionary commentary on the passion narrative that includes the pierced side.

Background & Word Study

BibleProject: Gospel of John OverviewBibleProject: Gospel of Jn Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of the first half of John's Gospel and its portrait of Jesus.

BibleHub: John 19 InterlinearBibleHub: Jn 19 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek-English interlinear for word-level study of John 19.

The Church Fathers

Catena: John 19Catena: Jn 19 Catena

Patristic comments gathered verse by verse on John 19.

Sermons & Reflections

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Year B: Resources and Reflections Young Catholics

Curated collection of prayers, activities, and reflection links for the solemnity.

Art & Music

Vanderbilt: Revised Common Lectionary Art Index Vanderbilt

Lectionary art index for visual reflection on the day's readings.

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