John 19:32

32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been 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 Then when he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, "It is completed," and bowing [his] head, he gave up [his] spirit.

31 Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was an important day), asked Pilate that their legs could be broken and they could be taken away.

32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him.

33 But [when they] came to Jesus, after they saw he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

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