John 19:33

33 and having come to Jesus, when they saw him already having been 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, since it was the preparation, (for that sabbath day was a great one,) asked of Pilate that their legs may be broken, and they taken away.

32 The soldiers, therefore, came, and of the first indeed they did break the legs, and of the other who was crucified with him,

33 and having come to Jesus, when they saw him already having been dead, they did not break his legs;

34 but one of the soldiers with a spear did pierce his side, and immediately there came forth blood and water;

35 and he who hath seen hath testified, and his testimony is true, and that one hath known that true things he speaketh, that ye also may believe.