John 19:33

33 But when they were come to Jesus [Forsooth when they had come to Jesus], as they saw him dead then, they brake not his thighs;

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 Therefore for it was pask eve, that the bodies should not abide on the cross in the sabbath, for that was a great sabbath day [Therefore for it was the making ready of pask, that the bodies should not dwell in the cross in the sabbath, for that day of sabbath was great], the Jews prayed Pilate, that the hips of them should be broken, and they [should be] taken away.

32 Therefore knights came, and they brake the thighs of the first, and of the other, that was crucified with him.

33 But when they were come to Jesus [Forsooth when they had come to Jesus], as they saw him dead then, they brake not his thighs;

34 but one of the knights opened his side with a spear, and at once [and anon] blood and water went out.

35 And he that saw, bare witnessing [thereof], and his witnessing is true; and he knoweth that he saith true things, that ye believe.