John 19:33
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
Original Language Analysis
ἐπὶ
to
G1909
ἐπὶ
to
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 15
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἐλθόντες
they came
G2064
ἐλθόντες
they came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
5 of 15
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὡς
when
G5613
ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
6 of 15
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
εἶδον
and saw
G1492
εἶδον
and saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 15
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
Roman soldiers were experienced executioners who could determine death reliably. Jesus's unusually rapid death surprised even Pilate (Mark 15:44). Medical theories suggest cardiac rupture, hemopericardium, or hypovolemic shock from scourging and crucifixion. Regardless of physiological mechanism, Jesus voluntarily dismissed His spirit (John 10:18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's rapid, voluntary death demonstrate His sovereign control even during crucifixion?
- What does the fulfillment of detailed prophecy about unbroken bones teach about Scripture's inspiration and God's sovereign control?
- How should believers trust God's providence when circumstances seem random or meaningless?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs (ἐπὶ δὲ τὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐλθόντες, ὡς εἶδον ἤδη αὐτὸν τεθνηκότα, οὐ κατέαξαν αὐτοῦ τὰ σκέλη, epi de ton Iēsoun elthontes, hōs eidon ēdē auton tethnēkota, ou kateaxan autou ta skelē)—The soldiers' observation (εἶδον, eidon, 'they saw') that Jesus was τεθνηκότα (tethnēkota, 'already dead') prevented them from breaking His legs. This was unexpected; crucifixion victims rarely died within six hours (Jesus was crucified at 9am and died at 3pm, Mark 15:25, 34). His rapid death may have resulted from the physical trauma of scourging, emotional agony in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44), and voluntarily yielding His spirit (John 19:30).
Providence guided this seemingly random military decision. The soldiers had no theological knowledge, yet their pragmatic choice fulfilled prophecy (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20)—the Paschal Lamb's bones remained unbroken. God sovereignly orchestrates even minute details to accomplish His redemptive purposes.