165. After Jesus’ Death

        ³¹Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. ³²So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; ³³but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood.
        ³⁵He who saw it^a has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth—that you also may believe.
        (Jn. 19:31–35)

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a   “He who saw it”—John Zebedee (the author of this gospel of John).

Jn. 19:34  blood. / blood and water. (RSV)   (187:5/2011)

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