A Commentary on the Apostles' Creed 23
23 Section 23 PL 21, 361
23. It is written that when the side of Jesus was pierced “He shed thereout blood and water.” This has a mystical meaning. For Himself had said, “Out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water.” But He shed forth blood also, of which the Jews sought that it might be upon themselves and upon their children. He shed forth water, therefore, which might wash believers; He shed forth blood also which might condemn unbelievers. Yet it might be understood also as prefiguring the twofold grace of baptism, one that which is given by the baptism of water, the other that which is sought through martyrdom in the outpouring of blood, for both are called baptism. But if you ask further why our Lord is said to have poured forth blood and water from His side rather than from any other member, I imagine that by the rib in the side the woman is signified. Since the fountain of sin and death proceeded from the first woman, who was the rib of the first Adam, the fountain of redemption and life is drawn from the rib of the second Adam.
Scribitur Jesus in latere percussus, aquam simul et sanguinem profudisse. Hoc quippe mysticum est, ipse enim dixerat, quia flumina de ventre ejus procedent aquae vivae . Sed produxit et sanguinem, quem petierunt Judaei venire super se et super filios suos. Produxit ergo aquam, quae credentes diluat: produxit et sanguinem, qui condemnet incredulos. Potest tamen etiam intelligi illud quod duplicem gratiam baptismi figuraverit. Unam quae datur 87 per aquae baptismum, aliam quae per martyrium profusione sanguinis quaeritur: utrumque enim baptismum nominatur. Quod et si hoc quaeris, cur non ex alio membro, sed ex latere potius produxisse dicatur aquam, et sanguinem? videtur mihi in latere per costam mulier indicari. Quia ergo fons peccati et mortis de muliere prima, quae fuit primi Adam costa, processit: fons redemptionis ac vitae de secundi Adam costa producitur.