John 19:32

KJV

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} came {G2064} the soldiers {G4757}, and {G2532} brake {G2608} the legs {G4628} of the {G3303} first {G4413}, and {G2532} of the other {G243} which {G3588} was crucified with {G4957} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been put on a stake beside Yeshua, then the legs of the other one;

Berean Standard Bible

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and those of the other.

American Standard Version

The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 19:32 vividly details the brutal Roman practice of *crurifragium*, the breaking of the legs, applied to the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. This act was carried out by soldiers to hasten death, ensuring that the bodies could be removed from the crosses before the onset of the Sabbath, in accordance with Jewish law and the request of the Jewish authorities. The verse underscores the severity of crucifixion and sets a crucial contrast for the subsequent events concerning Jesus, whose legs were not broken.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the urgent request by the Jewish authorities to Pontius Pilate in [John 19:31](/john/19-31 "John 19:31 - The Jewish Request to Pilate") to have the bodies removed from the crosses before the Sabbath began, as it was the Day of Preparation. Their concern was to avoid defiling the holy day by having crucified bodies remain exposed. The soldiers' actions in [John 19:32](/john/19-32 "John 19:32 - The Breaking of the Criminals' Legs") are a direct response to this request, demonstrating the Roman compliance with Jewish custom to maintain peace. The verse also serves as a stark setup for the pivotal moment in [John 19:33-37](/john/19-33-37 "John 19:33-37 - Jesus' Unbroken Bones and Pierced Side"), where the soldiers find Jesus already dead and, therefore, do not break His legs, thus fulfilling Old Testament prophecies.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman crucifixion was a notoriously cruel and prolonged form of execution designed to inflict maximum pain, public humiliation, and a slow, agonizing death. Victims typically died from asphyxiation as their arms and legs weakened, making it impossible to push up and breathe. The practice of *crurifragium* (breaking the legs) was a common method to expedite death, as it prevented the condemned from pushing themselves up, leading to rapid suffocation. This was particularly relevant in Jewish contexts due to the Mosaic Law, which stipulated that a body should not remain on a tree overnight ([Deuteronomy 21:22-23](/deuteronomy/21-22-23 "Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - Law Regarding Executed Criminals")). The "Day of Preparation" referred to the day before the Sabbath (Friday), during which all necessary work was completed, and bodies were removed to avoid desecrating the holy day.

* **Key Themes:** [John 19:32](/john/19-32 "John 19:32 - The Breaking of the Criminals' Legs") contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of John and the broader passion narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **brutality and finality of Roman crucifixion**, emphasizing the horrific suffering endured by those condemned. Secondly, it underscores the **expedited nature of death** for the criminals, driven by the Jewish desire to uphold their ceremonial law regarding the Sabbath. Most significantly, this verse sets the stage for the theme of **prophetic fulfillment** concerning Jesus. By explicitly stating that the criminals' legs *were* broken, it creates a powerful contrast with the subsequent revelation that Jesus' legs were *not* broken, preparing the reader for the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah, particularly those related to the Passover Lamb ([Exodus 12:46](/exodus/12-46 "Exodus 12:46 - Passover Lamb Instructions")) and the suffering servant ([Psalm 34:20](/psalms/34-20 "Psalm 34:20 - God Preserves the Righteous")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **came (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies movement towards a specific point or purpose. In this context, it indicates the soldiers' arrival at the crucifixion site with a clear mission. The use of this common verb here emphasizes the direct and immediate response to the Jewish leaders' request, highlighting the purposeful action of the soldiers in carrying out their duty.
* **brake (Greek, _katágnymi'_):** Derived from "to rend in pieces" or "crack apart," this word precisely describes the violent and destructive act of breaking bones. It conveys the brutal and decisive nature of *crurifragium*, emphasizing the physical force applied to achieve the desired outcome of hastening death. This term vividly portrays the severity of the Roman punishment.
* **legs (Greek, _skélos'_):** This term refers specifically to the lower limbs. Its mention highlights the precise target of the soldiers' action, which was designed to prevent the crucified from pushing up to alleviate pressure on their diaphragms, thereby accelerating their demise through suffocation. The focus on the "legs" is crucial for understanding the mechanism of death and the subsequent prophetic fulfillment regarding Jesus' unbroken bones.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then came the soldiers":** This phrase indicates the immediate execution of the order given by Pilate. The "soldiers" (Roman executioners) are the agents of this brutal act, acting under the authority of the Roman governor. Their arrival signifies the beginning of the process to ensure the crucified bodies were removed before the Sabbath.
* **"and brake the legs of the first":** This describes the violent act of *crurifragium* performed on one of the criminals. The breaking of the legs was a deliberate, painful, and effective method to hasten death, as it removed the victim's ability to push up and breathe, leading to rapid asphyxiation. This was a standard, though horrific, procedure.
* **"and of the other which was crucified with him":** This clause confirms that the same brutal procedure was applied to the second criminal crucified alongside Jesus. It emphasizes the routine nature of the act for those still alive on the cross, establishing a common practice against which Jesus' unique experience will soon be contrasted.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several literary devices in [John 19:32](/john/19-32 "John 19:32 - The Breaking of the Criminals' Legs"). The most prominent is **Foreshadowing** and **Contrast**. By explicitly stating that the legs of the two criminals were broken, the text subtly foreshadows the unique event that follows: Jesus' legs were *not* broken. This creates a powerful **Contrast** that highlights Jesus' divine nature and the fulfillment of prophecy. The description is also characterized by **Realism**, providing a stark and unvarnished account of the brutal Roman execution practices, which adds to the gravity and suffering depicted in the passion narrative. The seemingly mundane detail of the soldiers' actions serves a profound theological purpose, setting the stage for the miraculous and prophetic distinction of Jesus' death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 19:32](/john/19-32 "John 19:32 - The Breaking of the Criminals' Legs"), while focusing on the two criminals, serves a critical theological purpose by setting up the unique circumstances of Jesus' death. It underscores the severity of crucifixion as a penalty for sin and rebellion against earthly authority, but more profoundly, it prepares the reader for the divine preservation of Jesus' body. The fact that the soldiers *did* break the legs of the criminals emphasizes that this was the standard, expected procedure for those still alive. This common practice makes Jesus' subsequent exemption from *crurifragium* all the more significant, pointing to a sovereign divine plan at work, even in the minute details of the crucifixion. It highlights God's meticulous oversight in fulfilling prophecy, ensuring that every aspect of the Messiah's suffering and death aligned with His predetermined will.

* [Exodus 12:46](/exodus/12-46 "Instructions for the Passover Lamb")
* [Numbers 9:12](/numbers/9-12 "Instructions for the Passover Lamb")
* [Psalm 34:20](/psalms/34-20 "Preservation of the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 19:32](/john/19-32 "John 19:32 - The Breaking of the Criminals' Legs") is a grim reminder of the brutal reality of Roman crucifixion, a death designed for maximum suffering and public humiliation. While the verse focuses on the two criminals, its true impact lies in the contrast it provides for understanding Jesus' unique experience. It forces us to confront the depths of human cruelty and the lengths to which authorities would go to enforce their will. For believers, this detail, however gruesome, deepens our appreciation for the suffering Christ endured. He was subjected to the same horrific system, yet His death was distinct, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating God's sovereign control even over the most minute details of human events. It calls us to reflect on the immense cost of our redemption and the perfect, divine plan that unfolded in the passion of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the brutality described in this verse deepen your understanding of the suffering Jesus endured, even if His legs were not broken?**
* **What does the Jewish concern for the Sabbath, even amidst such a horrific scene, reveal about their priorities at the time?**
* **How does the common practice of *crurifragium* for the criminals highlight the unique and prophetic nature of Jesus' death?**

### FAQ

**Why was it important for the legs of the crucified to be broken?**

Answer: The practice of breaking the legs, known as *crurifragium*, was a Roman method used to hasten the death of those being crucified. Victims typically died from asphyxiation as they could no longer push themselves up on their legs to relieve pressure on their diaphragm and breathe. By breaking their legs, the condemned lost the ability to push up, leading to rapid suffocation and a quicker demise. This was particularly important on the Day of Preparation before the Sabbath, as Jewish law (as seen in [Deuteronomy 21:22-23](/deuteronomy/21-22-23 "Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - Law Regarding Executed Criminals")) prohibited bodies from remaining exposed on a tree overnight, especially on a holy day.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 19:32](/john/19-32 "John 19:32 - The Breaking of the Criminals' Legs") serves as a pivotal moment in demonstrating Christ-centered fulfillment, not by what happens *to* Jesus, but by what *doesn't* happen to Him. The breaking of the criminals' legs establishes the standard procedure for expediting death on the cross, a common, brutal practice. This sets up a profound contrast with [John 19:33](/john/19-33 "John 19:33 - Jesus Already Dead"), where the soldiers find Jesus already dead and therefore do not break His legs. This seemingly minor detail is a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, specifically [Psalm 34:20](/psalms/34-20 "Psalm 34:20 - God Preserves the Righteous"), which states, "He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken." More significantly, it connects Jesus to the Passover Lamb, of whom it was commanded that "not one of its bones shall be broken" ([Exodus 12:46](/exodus/12-46 "Exodus 12:46 - Passover Lamb Instructions") and [Numbers 9:12](/numbers/9-12 "Numbers 9:12 - Instructions for the Passover Lamb")). Jesus, as the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfills this sacrificial type. His unbroken bones signify His perfection and His complete, unblemished sacrifice, affirming His identity as the Messiah and the true Passover offering for humanity's sin, as celebrated in [1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 19:18

Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

Luke 23:39

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

Luke 23:43

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.