Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 19:33
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs:
Saw that he was dead – Saw by the indications of death on his person, and perhaps by the testimony of the centurion, Mat 27:54. The death of Jesus was doubtless hastened by the intense agony of the garden, and the special sufferings endured as an atonement for sin on the cross. Compare Mat 27:46.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
33. But when they came to Jesus, andsaw that he was dead alreadythere being in His caseelements of suffering, unknown to the malefactors, which mightnaturally hasten His death, lingering though it always was in suchcases, not to speak of His previous sufferings.
they brake not his legsafact of vast importance, as showing that the reality of Hisdeath was visible to those whose business it was to see to it. Theother divine purpose served by it will appear presently.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Already dead ( ). Perfect active participle of . So then Jesus died before the robbers, died of a broken heart.
They brake not ( ). The augment is proper here (see 32).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “But when they came to Jesus,” (epi de ton lesoun elthontes) “However when they came to Jesus,” on the middle cross, with the thieves on either side, Joh 19:18; Mar 15:37.
2) “And saw that he was dead already,” (hos eidon ede auton tethnekota) “As they saw that he had already died,” or was already dead, had already expired, in so short a time, Mar 15:44-45.
3) “They brake not his legs:” (ou kateaksan autou ta skela) “They did not break his legs,” refrained from breaking His legs, thus fulfilling the Law Passover preparation injunction, often repeated, “thou shalt not break a bone thereof,” Joh 19:36; Exo 12:46; Num 9:12; Psa 34:20.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
33. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead. That they break the legs of the two robbers, and after having done so, find that Christ is already dead, and therefore do not touch his body, appears to be a very extraordinary work of the providence of God. Ungodly men will, no doubt, say that it happens naturally that one man dies sooner than another; but, if we examine carefully the whole course of the narrative, we shall be constrained to ascribe it to the secret purpose of God, that the death of Christ was brought on much more rapidly than men could have at all expected, and that this prevented his legs from being broken.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(33) And saw that he was dead already, . . . The only explanation of their not breaking the legs of Jesus seems to be that the purpose of the crurifragium was to ensure death, or, in any case, prevent the possibility of escape. Crucifixion itself would not necessarily cause death for several days, nor, indeed, at all; but Jesus had by His own will committed His spirit to His Father.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
33. Jesus dead already Our Lord had been upon the cross but some six hours, and malefactors have been known to endure the pains of crucifixion for two or three days. But the extraordinary sufferings of Jesus had speedily wrought their work upon his delicate though healthy frame. The question raised by modern sceptics, whether Jesus really died, or whether his present state was a swoon from which he may have recovered, was unknown to the ancient Church. That age as little doubted the reality of his death as those soldiers, who now examined and pronounced him dead already.
33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
Ver. 33. And saw that he was dead already ] He took his own time to die; and therefore, Joh 19:30 , it is said, “that he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost;” whereas other men bow not the head till they have given up the ghost. He also cried with a loud voice and died, which shows that he lacked not strength of nature to have lived longer if he had wished.
to. Greek. epi. App-104.
Joh 19:33. , Jesus) the breaking of whose legs, which they had intended, they had put off for the sake of giving Him more protracted pain.- , when they saw) what they had not anticipated. Therefore these soldiers, whilst they were occupied with their own concerns, had not observed the death of Jesus.
Joh 19:33
Joh 19:33
but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:-The speedy death of Jesus removed the occasion for breaking his legs. Gods providence so overruled that the prophetic type of the passover lamb should be fulfilled in that not a bone of Jesus was broken.
Reciprocal: Exo 12:46 – neither 1Ki 18:33 – Fill four Luk 8:53 – knowing
3
Jesus had suffered so much physical shock in addition to his intense nervous strain (Luk 22:44), that he anticipated the soldiers and died before they arrived at the cross. The fact was unusual, and hence Pilate was surprised when he heard that Jesus was dead (Mar 15:44). The only reason the soldiers had for not breaking the legs of Jesus was that the purpose for the act (to hasten death) was not present. But their refraining from doing it fulfilled another prediction, that his bones were not to be broken (Psa 34:20). The same fact was also typified by the restrictions on observing the first pass-over in Egypt, “neither shall ye break a bone thereof” (Exo 12:46).
Joh 19:33-34. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs; but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came forth blood and water. The explanation of the fact here recorded has always been felt to be attended with peculiar difficulty. The idea that Jesus was not dead, but that death was produced by the spear-wound, must at once be set aside. It is inconsistent with the distinct language of the Evangelist, which states the fact,and not merely what the soldier thought,that Jesus was dead already. It is inconsistent with what we have been previously told, that Jesus had delivered up His spirit into the hands of His Father. And it is not less inconsistent with the symbolism of the passage, which would have been inadmissible had not John believed that death was past. But the impossibility that blood and water should issue from the side of a person already dead is urged on physiological grounds. It might be possible to adopt the explanation of some eminent commentators, that we have here a unique appearance based upon a unique situation. If it be a general truth that the moment death comes corruption begins, and if, notwithstanding, Jesus saw no corruption, we are prepared to expect that the phenomena accompanying His death will transcend our experience; and it may well be that we have such phenomena before us here. Before we resort, however, to such an explanation, we ought to ask whether, when we take all the circumstances into account, it is really necessary. We remark therefore that(1) There is nothing to prevent our assuming that the spear- wound was inflicted the instant after death. The Evangelist does not convey the slightest hint to us that any interval elapsed between the two events, and the nature of death by crucifixion is such as to call us to think of the latest possible moment as that of death. Pilate marvelled if He were already dead (Mar 15:44). (2) In conformity with the opinion of all expositors, the region of the heart must be looked upon as that penetrated by the spear. (3) The blood and water derive all their importance from that symbolical meaning which they have in the eyes of John. The circumstance which more than any other has led inquirers astray in judging of what we have here before us is, that they have supposed it to be the aim of the Evangelist to establish the fact that Jesus was really put to death. But, as we shall see on Joh 19:35, this is certainly not the point before him. The fact now spoken of has no connection whatever with proof that death had taken place; and it is mentioned solely for the sake of the deeper meaning which it involves. (4) These things being so, it is obviously a matter of no moment what the quantity of blood and water that issued from the wound may have been. The smallest quantity will suffice; and will suggest the truth intended as well as the largest.
But it has never been proved that such a small quantity might not issue from a wound thus inflicted. The wound would be a large one; the iron point of the spear, we may be sure, was both heavy and rough; and if the instant after death the pericardium and heart were pierced, there is no difficulty in supposing such an effusion of blood and of water, or serum, as could not fail to attract the attention of the beholder, and suggest to his mind lessons of deep spiritual significance. If this be so, the literal interpretation of the passage may be retained. What the water and blood symbolized to John must be learned from the general tenor of his writings. The blood brings to mind the sacrifice for the worlds sin (chap. Joh 1:29), the life laid down for the life of the world (chaps, Joh 6:51, Joh 10:15), the cleansing of and by atonement (1Jn 1:7; Rev 1:5; Rev 5:9). The water recalls the teaching of chaps, Joh 3:5, Joh 7:38, Joh 13:8; Joh 13:10; and symbolizes the abiding gift of the Spirit of holiness. Thus in His death Jesus is presented as the Source of Life, in all its purity and spiritual power. That this section of the Gospel stands in closest connection with 1Jn 5:6 seems to us beyond doubt: what is the exact nature of the relation between the passages is a question which belongs to the exposition of the Epistle, and cannot be investigated here.
Verse 33
And brake the legs; with clubs. This violence, previous to allowing the bodies to be taken down, was to guard against the possibility that the sufferers might revive, and their lives be saved.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament