The Greek ekkenteō means to pierce through or stab — the ek prefix suggesting a penetrating thrust that goes through completely. The word appears in John 19:37 quoting Zechariah 12:10: 'They will look on the one they have pierced.' In Revelation 1:7, the same Zechariah quotation is applied eschatologically — every eye will see the returning Christ, including those who pierced Him.
The fulfillment of ekkenteō in John 19:37 is one of the most precise fulfillments of Old Testament prophecy in the crucifixion narrative. Zechariah 12:10 predicted that Israel would 'look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him.' The soldier's spear thrust into Jesus' side (John 19:34) fulfilled this prophecy to the letter. Revelation 1:7 extends this piercing to the Second Coming — the Christ who was pierced will be seen by all, and all who rejected Him will mourn. The wound that was meant as mockery becomes the sign of the King.