17:11 Matters of Life and Death “Blood” signified both death and the source of life. Blood was a symbolic covering for sin (16:15-16) while also being acknowledged as life-giving (17:11). Blood was important for holy sacrifices, therefore eating blood was forbidden (17:10-13) since it represented life. Jesus’ surprising statement that his disciples should drink his blood thus came as a shock to his hearers (John 6:54-57). Jesus’ shed blood is the source of new life (Rom 5:9-10).