Book of John - Chapter 19 - Verse 36
Meaning
In the scripture, there are prophecies and promises that were made hundreds of years before they were fulfilled. The verse "For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken" refers to the fulfillment of one such prophecy. This verse is found in the Gospel of John and is in reference to Jesus' crucifixion. John explains that it was God's plan for Jesus' bones not to be broken during his crucifixion, in accordance with Old Testament prophecy. This specific prophecy is found in the book of Exodus and Psalms, where it is foretold that the Messiah's bones would remain unbroken. The fact that Jesus' bones were not broken during his crucifixion was significant because it fulfilled a specific prophecy, reinforcing the belief that Jesus was the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the reference to a bone not being broken is a direct fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy found in Psalm 34:20, which states, "He keepeth all his bones; not one of them is broken." This prophecy was given in the context of a righteous man facing affliction and persecution, and it speaks to the ultimate protection that God provides for His faithful servants. In the New Testament, this prophecy finds its fulfillment in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. During the crucifixion process, it was customary for the legs of the criminals to be broken to hasten their death. However, in the case of Jesus, the soldiers did not break any of His bones, as was prophesied. This serves as a powerful symbol of the sacrificial nature of Jesus' death and the fulfillment of God's plan for redemption. This act also emphasizes Jesus' role as the unblemished Lamb of God, whose sacrifice atones for the sins of humanity without any flaw or imperfection.