John 19:32

32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who were crucified with him.

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 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished, and he bowed his head and gave the Spirit.

31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross {Gr. stauros – stake} on the sabbath day (for that sabbath day was a high day) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.

32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who were crucified with him.

33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was dead already, they did not break his legs,

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