King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
Complete Jewish Bible:
but when they got to Yeshua and saw that he was already dead, they didn’t break his legs.
Berean Standard Bible:
But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.
American Standard Version:
but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But{G1161} when{G5613} they came{G2064} to{G1909} Jesus{G2424}, and saw{G1492} that he{G846} was dead{G2348} already{G2235}, they brake{G2608} not{G3756} his{G846} legs{G4628}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for John 19:33
John 19:33 is a verse set within the crucifixion narrative of Jesus Christ, an event central to Christian theology. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, crucifixion was a common form of execution for criminals, and it was customary for Roman soldiers to break the legs of those crucified to hasten death, as the victim could no longer push up to breathe. This practice is referenced in the verse, highlighting the soldiers' intent to ensure death by asphyxiation.
However, when the soldiers came to Jesus, they found that he had already died. Consequently, they did not break his legs, which is significant for two reasons: firstly, it fulfills a prophecy from the Old Testament (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20) that none of Jesus' bones would be broken, a detail that the Gospel writer John often emphasizes to show Jesus as the Passover Lamb; secondly, it underscores the speed at which Jesus succumbed to death, which some interpret as a sign of his voluntary surrender to death (John 10:18).
The themes of this verse include the fulfillment of Scripture, the unique nature of Jesus' death, and the completion of his mission to offer himself as a sacrifice for humanity's sins. The fact that Jesus' legs were not broken also serves as a contrast to the other two crucified with him, whose legs were broken to ensure their death, as described in the preceding verse (John 19:32). This act of non-intervention by the soldiers unwittingly contributes to the testimony of Jesus' divinity and the divine plan of redemption, as understood by Christian believers.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G5613
There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὡς
Transliteration: hōs
Pronunciation: hoce
Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed. - Strong's Number: G2064
There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔρχομαι
Transliteration: érchomai
Pronunciation: el'-tho
Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set. - Strong's Number: G1909
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπί
Transliteration: epí
Pronunciation: ep-ee'
Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G2424
There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
Transliteration: Iēsoûs
Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus. - Strong's Number: G1492
There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἴδω
Transliteration: eídō
Pronunciation: i'-do
Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G2348
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θνήσκω
Transliteration: thnḗskō
Pronunciation: than'-o
Description: a strengthened form of a simpler primary (which is used for it only in certain tenses); to die (literally or figuratively):--be dead, die. - Strong's Number: G2235
There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἤδη
Transliteration: ḗdē
Pronunciation: ay'-day
Description: apparently from ἤ (or possibly ἦ) and δή; even now:--already, (even) now (already), by this time. - Strong's Number: G2608
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κατάγνυμι
Transliteration: katágnymi
Pronunciation: kat-ag'-noo-mee
Description: from κατά and the base of ῥήγνυμι; to rend in pieces, i.e. crack apart:--break. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - Strong's Number: G4628
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σκέλος
Transliteration: skélos
Pronunciation: skel'-os
Description: apparently from (to parch; through the idea of leanness); the leg (as lank):--leg.