sharpened like a spear-point (Nyxns)” (vii., 96). Used also, as here, for the spear itself.
Pierced (@&v£ev). Only here in the New Testament. The question has been raised whether the Evangelist means to de- scribe a gash or a prick. Another verb is rendered prerced in ver. 37, the quotation from Zech. xii. 10, €fexevtnaar, which occurs also at Apoc. i. 7, with reference to Christ’s crucifixion, and is used in classical Greek of putting out the eyes, or stabbing, and in the Septuagint of Saul’s request to his armor-bearer: “Draw thy sword and thrust me through therewith” (1 Chron. x. 4). The verb used here, however, vioow, is also used to describe severe and deadly wounds, as in Homer:
‘* As he sprang Into his car, Idomeneus, expert To wield the ponderous javelin, thrust (vdé’) its blade Through his right shoulder. From the car he fell, And the dark night of death came over him.” “Tliad,” v., 45-47.
It has been suggested that the body was merely pricked with the spear to ascertain if it were yet alive. There seems, on the whole, no reason for departing from the ordinary understanding of the narrative, that the soldier inflicted a deep thrust on the side of Jesus (compare xx. 25,27); nor is it quite apparent why, as Mr. Field urges, a distinction should be kept up between the two verbs in vv. 34 and 37.*
Blood and water. It has been argued very plausibly that this was a natural phenomenon, the result of a rupture of the
*Mr. Field (‘‘ Otium Norvicense”) claims that viccw, is the milder word, and cites a curious illustration from Plutarch (‘‘ Life of Cleomenes”). Cleo- menes and his party escape from prison, and endeavor to raise the town and to get possession of the citadel. Failing in this, they resolve upon suicide. It is arranged that one of the number is not to kill himself until he shall be assured that all the rest are dead. When all are stretched on the ground, the survivor goes round and tries cach with his dagger (r@ kupidly mapamrduevos). When he comes to Cleomenes, he pricks (vétas) him on the ankle (mapa 7d opupév), and gees him contract his face.