They Shall Look on Him Whom They Pierced
Zechariah foresaw the pierced Messiah — and Israel's future mourning.
Zechariah prophesied that the inhabitants of Jerusalem would look on the LORD whom they had pierced and mourn. John explicitly cites this as fulfilled when a soldier pierced Christ's side — yet Revelation 1 shows the prophecy still awaits its full grief at His return.
The Prophecy
"...and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son..."
The Fulfillment
"But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side...And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced."
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him."
Pierced at Calvary
John records the soldier's spear with care, citing both Exodus's Passover lamb (no bone broken) and Zechariah 12:10 in the same breath.
Looked upon at His return
Revelation 1:7 reaches forward to the day of Christ's coming, when Israel and the nations will look on Him and mourn — the prophecy's deepest fulfillment is still future.
People in This Prophecy
Verse Commentary
Read verse-by-verse commentary on the key passages of this prophecy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the 'pierced' one in Zechariah 12:10?
The LORD Himself — God identifies Himself as the One pierced, fulfilled in the crucified Christ.
Is this prophecy fully fulfilled?
Partially — the piercing happened at Calvary; the national mourning awaits Christ's return.
Related Bible Prophecies
The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53
Christ wounded for our transgressions — fulfilled at Calvary.
Psalm 22 and the Crucifixion
David's psalm reads like an eyewitness account of Calvary.
The Second Coming of Christ
The visible, glorious return of Christ to judge and reign.
The Messiah Born of a Virgin
Isaiah 7:14 foretold a virgin would bear Immanuel — fulfilled in Mary.
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Zechariah Bible Quiz
Visions of restoration, the coming King, and the pierced Messiah.