John 19:33

33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead. So 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 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.

35 The man who saw it has given witness. And his witness is true. He knows that he tells the truth. He gives witness so that you also can believe.