Book of John - Chapter 19 - Verse 33

When the soldiers came to Jesus on the cross, they noticed that he was already dead and chose not to break his legs. This act of not breaking his legs fulfilled the prophecy that none of his bones would be broken, as mentioned in the Old Testament. This action also symbolized the respect and honor shown to Jesus, even in his death. Breaking the legs of a crucified person was a common practice to hasten their death, as it would make it difficult for them to push up and breathe. However, in the case of Jesus, his legs were left unharmed, showing that his death was not a result of weakness or defeat, but a fulfillment of a divine plan. This act also highlights the uniqueness of Jesus and his role as the sacrificial lamb, whose sacrifice was pure and unblemished. By not breaking his legs, the soldiers unknowingly played a part in fulfilling the prophecies about Jesus and his death.

One theological interpretation of the verse "But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:" found in John 19:33 is that it fulfills Old Testament prophecy. In the Passover regulations outlined in Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12, the Israelites were instructed not to break the bones of the Passover lamb. This act symbolized the completeness and perfection of the sacrifice. By not breaking Jesus' legs, the soldiers unintentionally fulfilled this prophecy, showing that Jesus was the ultimate sacrificial Lamb whose sacrifice was perfect and complete.

Another interesting word study related to this verse involves the meaning of the word "legs" in the original Greek. The Greek word used here is "skelē," which can also be translated as "bones" or "limbs." This sheds light on the significance of the soldiers not breaking Jesus' legs, as it emphasizes the integrity of His entire body as a pure and unblemished sacrifice. This attention to detail in the text highlights the meticulous care with which God orchestrated Jesus' crucifixion to fulfill all prophecies and establish His ultimate victory over sin and death.