Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out — The spear thrust (lonchē, Greek; lance in Latin tradition) into Jesus' side produces the exodus of blood and water. The phenomenon's historicity is debated, but John emphasizes its veracity ("blood and water"). The symbolism: water (baptism, life, cleansing) and blood (atonement, covenant) flow from the crucified Messiah. Medieval theologians saw this as the five wounds' fifth and source.

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