But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
When the soldiers came to break the legs of those crucified, they saw that Jesus was already dead, so they did not break His legs. The two thieves crucified with Him were still alive and had their legs broken, while Jesus' legs were left untouched. His death came unusually soon for a crucified man, and its suddenness seemed mysterious to the people watching. The centurion's testimony confirmed that Jesus was truly dead.
The piercing of His side and the flow of blood and water gave unmistakable evidence of His death, making the truth of His resurrection certain. The leaving of His legs unbroken fulfilled the Scripture that none of His bones would be broken. This also fulfilled the Passover rule that no bone of the sacrificial lamb should be broken, for Jesus was offered as the Lamb of God, perfect and whole.
When the soldiers came to break the legs of those crucified, they saw that Jesus was already dead, so they did not break His legs. The two thieves crucified with Him were still alive and had their legs broken, while Jesus' legs were left untouched. His death came unusually soon for a crucified man, and its suddenness seemed mysterious to the people watching. The centurion's testimony confirmed that Jesus was truly dead.
The piercing of His side and the flow of blood and water gave unmistakable evidence of His death, making the truth of His resurrection certain. The leaving of His legs unbroken fulfilled the Scripture that none of His bones would be broken. This also fulfilled the Passover rule that no bone of the sacrificial lamb should be broken, for Jesus was offered as the Lamb of God, perfect and whole.