John 19:32

32 The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the other man.

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 After Jesus drank he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and died.

31 It was Preparation Day. The next day would be a special Sabbath. The Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath. So they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.

32 The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the other man.

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

34 Instead, one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus' side. Right away, blood and water flowed out.