John 19:32

32 Accordingly the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and also of the other who had been crucified with Jesus.

John 19:32 Meaning and Commentary

John 19:32

Then came the soldiers
Pilate having granted the Jews what they desired; either the soldiers that crucified Christ, and the others with him, and watched their bodies, being ordered by Pilate, went from the place where they sat; or a fresh company, which were sent for this purpose, came from the city:

and brake the legs of the first;
they came unto, which whether it was he that was crucified on his right hand, and was the penitent believer in him, as some have thought, is not certain:

and of the other which was crucified with him;
who, if the former is true, must be he that reviled him; and was this their position, it was a lively emblem of the last day, when the sheep shall stand at the right, and the goats on the left hand of Christ.

John 19:32 In-Context

30 As soon as Jesus had taken the wine, He said, "It is finished." And then, bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.

31 Meanwhile the Jews, because it was the day of Preparation for the Passover, and in order that the bodies might not remain on the crosses during the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was one of special solemnity), requested Pilate to have the legs of the dying men broken, and the bodies removed.

32 Accordingly the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and also of the other who had been crucified with Jesus.

33 Then they came to Jesus Himself: but when they saw that He was already dead, they refrained from breaking His legs.

34 One of the soldiers, however, made a thrust at His side with a lance, and immediately blood and water flowed out.