John 19:33

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

35 This statement is the testimony of an eye-witness, and it is true. He knows that he is telling the truth--in order that you also may believe.