John 19:33

33 But when they came to Iesus and sawe that he was deed already they brake not his legges:

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 The Iewes then because it was the saboth eve that ye bodyes shuld not remayne apon ye crosse on ye saboth daye (for that saboth daye was an hye daye) besought Pylate that their legges myght be broken and that they myght be taken doune.

32 Then came the soudiers and brake the legges of the fyrst and of the other which was crucified with Iesus.

33 But when they came to Iesus and sawe that he was deed already they brake not his legges:

34 but one of the soudiers with a speare thrust him into the syde and forthwith came ther out bloud and water.

35 And he that sawe it bare recorde and his recorde is true. And he knoweth that he sayth true that ye myght beleve also.