19:34 pierced his side with a spear. This act proves that Jesus was not in a coma but was dead, as shown by the burial preparations (vv. 39, 40) and the specification of a particular tomb (v. 41). Both the preserving of His bones (v. 33) and the piercing of His side fulfill Old Testament Scripture (vv. 36, 37; Ps. 34:20; Zech. 12:10).

blood and water. John emphasizes this physical evidence that Jesus was a real human being and that He was dead. It has been suggested that rupture of the heart caused by extreme agony is indicated, but more recent medical research has shown that such trauma occurs only when the heart is already damaged by disease. Others see a symbolic significance linked with 1 John 5:6–8.