John 19:33

33 But when they came to Jesus and 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 It was the day of Preparation, and the next day was a High Sabbath. In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed.

32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and those of the other.

33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.

34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

35 The one who saw it has testified to this, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.