Among those contrary appearances are the crucifixion itself and the
Roman soldier’s piercing of Jesus’ side, which is interpreted by a quote from
Zech 12:10, “They shall see the one whom they have pierced.” Although Scripture
has foreseen the soldier’s action, it is taken not so much as foreshadowing the
spear thrust itself as its result: they “shall see [opsontai] him whom they have pierced.” This quotation from Zech
12:10 may refer to the piercing of one from the house of Judah by the nations
(12:9). But in John’s context, the prophecy—or promise—that they will “see him
whom they have pierced” also anticipates Jesus’ appearance to Thomas, who is
invited to see the wounds left by nails and spear, and believe that this
crucified victim is now living, in keeping with the testimony of his fellow
disciples: “We have seen the Lord!” (20:25; cf. “pierced” in Rev 1:7). (Marianne
Meye Thompson, John: A Commentary [The New Testament Library;
Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015], 405)
