Have you ever wondered why St. John's verse was so emphatic about the piecing of Our Lord's Heart?

I learned on Sacred Heart Friday, from a Fr. Simon S.J., that St. John's emphasis was:

The Water & Blood from Jesus's Heart symbolically replaced the water & blood coming from the Temple's animal sacrifices.


John 19

[33] But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. [34] But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. [35] And he that saw it, hath given testimony, and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true; that you also may believe. [36] For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled: You shall not break a bone of him. [37] And again another scripture saith: They shall look on him whom they pierced.



St. John was familiar with and welcome at Herod's Temple since his relatives were there.

He witnessed the Temple's daily operations: two major blood Sacrifices (morning & evening) and continuous blood sacrifices throughout the day.
The Temple floor was filled with animal blood and required a daily water cleansing.  
Water was supplied by the Gihon Spring with the use of reservoirs, aqueducts and elaborate tanks.


If one can imagine the Temple activities, it was a continuous flow of blood & water, coming out the side of the Temple







Along with the earthquakes, the Temple Veil renting and the awakening of the dead, the Blood & Water was another visual reason for the Jєωs and the world to believe Our Lord.