Therefore
the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they didn’t break his legs. However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe. For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.” Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”
John 19:31-37
John 19 [28.] After this, Jesus, seeing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.” Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.
John 19 [31.] Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they didn’t break his legs. However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe. For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.” Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”
John 19 [38.] After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body. Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid. Then because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand) they laid Jesus there.
Meaning:
Jesus had cried, “It is finished,” and given up his spirit (John 19:30). John writes as an eyewitness and wants his readers to know two things for certain: Jesus truly died, and his death fulfilled the Scriptures.
- “Because it was the Preparation Day”
The Preparation Day was Friday, when everything was made ready for the Sabbath, which began at sunset. This Sabbath was special because it fell during the Passover feast. The law commanded that the body of an executed man “shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him the same day” (Deuteronomy 21:23).
- “Asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken”
Crucified men could take days to die. Breaking their legs stopped them pushing up to breathe, so death came quickly. The soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals, but when they came to Jesus they found him already dead. Mark records that even Pilate “marveled if he were already dead” so soon (Mark 15:44). Jesus had laid down his life at the moment he chose (John 10:18).
- “Immediately blood and water came out”
To make certain, a soldier thrust a spear into Jesus’ side, and blood and water flowed out. This was clear evidence that he was dead. Many readers also see a spiritual meaning. Jesus had promised “rivers of living water” and spoke of the Spirit (John 7:38-39), and he had said his blood brings life (John 6:54). John later wrote that Jesus “came by water and blood” (1 John 5:6). From the pierced side of Christ flow cleansing and life.
- “He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true”
John breaks into the story to stress that this is eyewitness testimony. The beloved disciple stood near the cross (John 19:26), and the writer saw these things himself. At the end of the Gospel he says, “This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things” (John 21:24). His purpose is “that you may believe”.
- “A bone of him will not be broken”
John sees two Scriptures fulfilled. The first is the law of the Passover lamb: “Do not break any of its bones” (Exodus 12:46; also Numbers 9:12). Jesus died at Passover as the true Lamb of God, as John the Baptist had said: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Paul wrote, “Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place” (1 Corinthians 5:7). The psalm of the righteous sufferer also says, “He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken” (Psalm 34:20).
- “They will look on him whom they pierced”
The second Scripture comes from Zechariah, where God promises to pour out “the spirit of grace and of supplication” on Jerusalem, so that “they will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him” (Zechariah 12:10). Revelation looks to Christ’s return, when “every eye will see him, including those who pierced him” (Revelation 1:7).
The Significance of John 19:31-37
- The certainty of Jesus’ death
Jesus truly died. The Christian hope of resurrection rests on this fact. Because he really died, his rising from the dead is a real victory over death.
- The Lamb who saves
Jesus is the Passover Lamb, whose blood protects God’s people from judgment.
- Look to the pierced one
Zechariah’s words call people to look to the one they pierced, with repentance and faith. All who look to the crucified Christ in faith find grace, cleansing and life.
Cross-References:
Exodus 12:46: "Do not break any of its bones." The law of the Passover lamb fulfilled in Jesus.
Zechariah 12:10: "they will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him," The prophecy John quotes.
John 1:29: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John the Baptist’s witness to the Lamb.
1 Corinthians 5:7: "Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place." Jesus as the Passover sacrifice.
Conclusion: To hurry the deaths before the special Sabbath, the soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals, but found Jesus already dead and pierced his side, so that blood and water came out. John testifies as an eyewitness so that his readers may believe. In Jesus’ unbroken bones and pierced side the Scriptures were fulfilled: he is the true Passover Lamb, and the pierced one to whom all must look.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible