John 19:33

33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead they did not break his legs,

John 19:33 Meaning and Commentary

John 19:33

But when they came to Jesus
Whom they passed by before, and now returned to; this they did not out of tenderness to him, but that he might be the longer in his torture, and whom they reserved till last, that they might use him with the greater cruelty and barbarity:

and saw that he was dead already;
as they might, from the bowing down of his head, the ghastliness of his countenance, the falling of his jaws, and other signs:

they brake not his legs;
there being no occasion for it, nor would it have answered any end, were they ever so spiteful and malicious against him; though the true reason was, and which restrained them from it, divine providence would not suffer them to do it.

John 19:33 In-Context

31 The Jews therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for it was [the] preparation, (for the day of that sabbath was a great [day],) demanded of Pilate that their legs might be broken and they taken away.

32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first and of the other that had been crucified with him;

33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead they did not break his legs,

34 but one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water.

35 And he who saw it bears witness, and his witness is true, and he knows that he says true that ye also may believe.