The Soldier Who Pierced Jesus’ Side
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
The events of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ are extensively documented in the New Testament of the Bible, which records the trial, interrogation, and execution of Jesus by the Roman authorities led by Pontius Pilate. According to the Biblical account, Jesus was born to be the Son of God, and his arrival marked the beginning of humanity’s redemption. However, Jesus’ mission was misunderstood by the religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, as well as the Roman ruling elite, who saw Him as a threat to their power and authority.
After a series of events leading to Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, His trial before Pilate resulted in a guilty verdict and the sentence of death. As Jesus carried the weight of the Cross to Mount Golgotha, outside the city walls of Jerusalem, a soldier was sent by Pilate to prepare for the crucifixion. This soldier, tasked with piercing Jesus’ side with a spear, may seem like an insignificant supporting character in the grand narrative. Yet, the consequences of his actions and the journey he took thereafter are incredibly intriguing.
Who is the Soldier?
From the Bible, we gather that the soldier who pierced Jesus’ side was the same one sent by Pilate to ensure death and prevent premature burial through burial before crucifixion, as mentioned in Luke 23:47 [1]. While the Old Testament provides many accounts and names of important figures connected with the Jewish people during this period, the Romans rarely left records of ordinary soldiers. Regrettably, the same anonymity applies to the solider who pierced Jesus’ side.
**What Did He Do?
According to the testimony of John, the narrator of the Fourth Gospel and eyewitness to many of these events, after Jesus offered his final prayer, uttered words of forgiveness, one of the soldiers standing nearby pierced his side (John 19:34). The precise motive behind this action, though not explicitly stated, may have been based on the following:
- To ensure that Jesus’ life was over, taking into account the possibility he was still alive after such severe physical punishment ( crucifixion is a potentially lengthy and painful process). [2]
- As a further measure for securing the dead body ( to prevent anyone from laying His body, for instance, attempting to salvage his body, as may have been attempted with regard to the dead bodies in Jerusalem during a time with potential for further unrest as seen in Acts of the Apostles 23:12, 7:58).
The Afterlife of the Soldier
Following the fateful event of piercing the Lord’s side, few historical records shed light upon the soldier’s life once Jesus had risen from the dead. Although we gain limited insight, some of these records come from relatively ancient sources.
• According to Christian Tradition: Although there is no irrefutable historical evidence from early Christian texts attesting to the soldier being present at Jesus’ glorification or later events,the early Church Fathers held varying views about the subsequent lives of soldiers involved.
• Some Later Traditions and Legends :
- Mandylion of Antioch : Legends narrate the soldier arrived at Antioch bearing a cloth or cloth-piece believed to contain a manifestation of Jesus’ face or bodily attributes. Mandylions became revered by the Oriental Christian community and are held at the St. Frumentius Museum in Germany [3].
Lessons and Consequences From His Actions
In discussing the soldier who pierced the side of Jesus, important consequences and reflections arise:
- Salvation Came from the Soldier’s Decisive Act: What started as an act performed out of obedience to Caesar became a significant part for the Christian faith-its core beliefs, messages of redemption and forgiveness –and the spreading of knowledge to the masses,
- Fate Inseparable From Jesus and Humanity: While the historical life of this soldier (in terms of what Jesus would have expected) stands, his choice, with consequences, is etched like the scars Jesus bore [4]. As we grapple with understanding the historical circumstances surrounding this event it may be interesting to learn what we might have the option to grasp about where our own decisions lead both personally and for the welfare of others.
In the grand symphony of biblical events related to Jesus Christ, stories, and historical accounts intermingled and intertwined while painting a narrative of struggle and redemption, the mysterious life of the soldier can now be comprehended like any other important figure; although his true name as we know that of every figure from biblical times with varying degrees of significance left records. **As historical analysis continues and we grapple with our own places in the divine plan may it be more clear within ourselves the paths we need to take.** (Table of Content)
For More Information, please See [1]: Luke. (23:47).”In that hour the majority of the rulers did not beget their descendants, * that the Word might have its fulfillment. **Now he was in the tomb a full four days being wrapped in spices and rolled into a burial cloth after his death**, as regards that of a Jew: For the death of such persons is usually mournful among the people.” This source provides essential context behind Pilate’s decision related to the execution of Christ, which **ultimamente led to the circumstances** where this soldier chose to pierce Jesus.