366
After Jesus expired what did one of the soldiers do?
John: “One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side” ([xix, 34]).
It is remarkable that the Synoptics, who pretend to relate every important incident connected with the crucifixion, make no mention of the spear thrust.
367
What is said to have issued from the wound?
John: “And forthwith came there out blood and water” ([xix, 34]).
According to a well known physiological fact, if Jesus was still alive or had but recently expired, not blood and water, but blood alone would have flowed from the wound. If he was dead, and it is stated that he was, then neither blood nor water would have flowed from it. When blood is drawn from a living body it becomes separated into two parts, a thick substance known as febrine, and a watery fluid known as serum. John was familiar with this fact and supposed that this also took place in a corpse, which is not the case.
Dr. Cabanes, a noted physician of Paris, writes as follows regarding the crucifixion of Jesus: