John 19:36

KJV

For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} these things {G5023} were done {G1096}, that {G2443} the scripture {G1124} should be fulfilled {G4137}, A bone {G3747} of him {G846} shall {G4937} not {G3756} be broken {G4937}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For these things happened in order to fulfill this passage of the Tanakh:

“Not one of his bones will be broken.”

Berean Standard Bible

Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”

American Standard Version

For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 19:36 highlights the meticulous fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy during Jesus' crucifixion, specifically the detail that none of His bones were broken. This seemingly minor event is presented by the Apostle John as a divinely orchestrated act, demonstrating God's sovereign control over every aspect of Christ's passion and death, thereby confirming Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah and the perfect Passover Lamb.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic narrative of Jesus' crucifixion and death in John's Gospel. Immediately preceding it, Jesus has just declared "It is finished" and yielded up His spirit ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Last Words")). The Roman soldiers then arrive to break the legs of the crucified individuals to hasten their death, a common practice known as *crurifragium*, ensuring the bodies would not remain on the cross into the Sabbath, which was a high holy day ([John 19:31](/john/19-31 "John 19:31 - Request for Bodies to be Removed")). However, upon reaching Jesus, they find Him already dead and thus do not break His legs, a detail John emphasizes as profoundly significant, contrasting it with the breaking of the legs of the two criminals crucified alongside Him ([John 19:32-33](/john/19-32-33 "John 19:32-33 - Soldiers Break Legs of Others")). This particular action (or inaction) sets the stage for the prophetic declaration in verse 36.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman crucifixion was a brutal form of execution designed to inflict maximum suffering and public humiliation. *Crurifragium*, the breaking of the legs, was employed to prevent the condemned from pushing themselves up to breathe, leading to suffocation and a quicker death. For the Jews, it was imperative that bodies not remain on the cross overnight, especially not on the Sabbath, due to the command in [Deuteronomy 21:22-23](/deuteronomy/21-22-23 "Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - Burial of the Executed"). The proximity of the Passover Sabbath (a "high day") made this even more urgent. This cultural and religious pressure directly influenced the soldiers' actions, which, in turn, inadvertently fulfilled prophecy.
* **Key Themes:** John 19:36 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as John explicitly states that "these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled." This highlights God's meticulous plan for the Messiah, demonstrating that Jesus' life and death were not random events but the precise culmination of divine promises. Another crucial theme is **Jesus as the True Passover Lamb**. The specific detail of unbroken bones directly echoes the regulations for the Passover lamb in [Exodus 12:46](/exodus/12-46 "Exodus 12:46 - Requirements for the Passover Lamb"), thereby identifying Jesus as the ultimate, unblemished sacrifice whose blood atones for sin. Finally, the verse underscores **Divine Sovereignty**, revealing God's absolute control over all circumstances, even the seemingly mundane or cruel actions of human agents, to bring about His perfect will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** This word, derived from *plērēs* (full), signifies to "make replete," "to complete," or "to bring to pass." In this context, it emphasizes that God's prophecies are not vague predictions but are precisely and completely brought to fruition. The use of *plēróō* here underscores the exactness and completeness of the divine plan for the Messiah, leaving no detail undone.
* **bone (Greek, _ostéon'_):** This term refers to any bone of the body. Its specific mention here is critical because it directly references the Old Testament regulations concerning the Passover lamb and the psalmist's description of the righteous, drawing a direct parallel between Jesus and these prophetic types. The integrity of the bone structure is central to the fulfillment being emphasized.
* **broken (Greek, _syntríbō'_):** This verb means "to crush completely" or "to shatter." Its application here highlights the physical integrity of Jesus' body, contrasting with the common practice of *crurifragium*. The fact that His bones were "not broken" indicates a miraculous preservation, directly aligning with the prophetic word and distinguishing His death from that of the other crucified individuals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For these things were done":** This introductory phrase serves to connect the preceding narrative events—the soldiers' decision not to break Jesus' legs because He was already dead—with the divine purpose behind them. It implies that these events were not accidental or coincidental but were part of a larger, intentional design.
* **"that the scripture should be fulfilled":** This clause explicitly states the teleological purpose of the events. The Greek conjunction *hína* ("in order that") clearly indicates that the entire sequence of events, particularly the preservation of Jesus' bones, occurred *for the express purpose* of bringing Old Testament prophecy to its complete and precise realization. This highlights God's active hand in orchestrating history.
* **"A bone of him shall not be broken":** This is the direct quotation of the specific prophecy being fulfilled. While often linked to [Psalm 34:20](/psalm/34-20 "Psalm 34:20 - God Preserves the Righteous"), which speaks of God preserving the bones of the righteous, its primary and most direct allusion is to the Passover regulations in [Exodus 12:46](/exodus/12-46 "Exodus 12:46 - Passover Lamb Regulations") and [Numbers 9:12](/numbers/9-12 "Numbers 9:12 - Second Passover Regulations"), which explicitly forbid breaking a bone of the Passover lamb. This connection is vital for understanding the theological significance of Jesus' sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
John's Gospel masterfully employs several literary devices in this verse. The most prominent is the **Fulfillment Narrative**, where John consistently presents events in Jesus' life and death as direct actualizations of Old Testament prophecies. This serves to authenticate Jesus' messianic claims and demonstrate the continuity of God's redemptive plan. Closely related is **Symbolism**, particularly the profound symbolism of Jesus as the **Passover Lamb**. By explicitly referencing the "unbroken bone" prophecy, John draws a direct parallel between Jesus and the sacrificial lamb whose blood averted judgment in Egypt, thereby presenting Jesus as the ultimate atoning sacrifice. Furthermore, there is an element of **Divine Irony**: the Roman soldiers, acting according to their custom and Jewish law, inadvertently become instruments of God's perfect plan. Their decision not to break Jesus' legs, based on His apparent death, unknowingly fulfills a centuries-old prophecy, underscoring God's sovereign control even over the actions of those unaware of His purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 19:36 stands as a powerful testament to the precision and reliability of God's Word, demonstrating that the minutiae of Jesus' crucifixion were not accidental but meticulously predetermined by divine decree. The theological weight of this verse lies in its dual fulfillment: first, it confirms Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah, whose life perfectly aligns with the prophetic blueprint laid out in the Old Testament. Second, and perhaps more profoundly, it solidifies His role as the ultimate Passover Lamb. Just as the lamb sacrificed in Egypt had to be without blemish and its bones unbroken, Jesus' physical integrity on the cross signifies His perfection and suitability as the sinless sacrifice. This unbrokenness underscores the completeness and efficacy of His atonement, emphasizing that His sacrifice was whole and sufficient to cover the sins of the world.

* [Psalm 34:20](/psalm/34-20 "Psalm 34:20 - God Preserves the Bones of the Righteous")
* [Exodus 12:46](/exodus/12-46 "Exodus 12:46 - Regulations for the Passover Lamb")
* [1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth embedded in John 19:36 offers immense assurance and spiritual nourishment for believers today. It reminds us that God's plan is not haphazard but meticulously detailed, even down to the unbroken bones of His Son. This should instill in us a deep confidence in the trustworthiness of Scripture and the sovereign control of God over all circumstances, even the darkest and most chaotic. In a world often characterized by uncertainty and brokenness, this verse points to a divine architect who orchestrates every detail for His redemptive purposes. It calls us to trust that if God was so precise in fulfilling ancient prophecies concerning His Son, He is equally precise and faithful in working out His purposes in our lives. We are invited to rest in the completeness of Christ's sacrifice, knowing that His perfect, unblemished offering has fully accomplished our redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise fulfillment of prophecy in John 19:36 strengthen your faith in the reliability of God's Word?**
* **In what ways does understanding Jesus as the perfect Passover Lamb, whose bones were not broken, deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?**
* **How can the concept of God's meticulous sovereignty, as demonstrated in this verse, bring you comfort and peace in uncertain times?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important that Jesus' bones were not broken?**

Answer: The importance of Jesus' bones not being broken lies primarily in its fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, which serves to authenticate His identity as the Messiah and the perfect sacrifice. First, it directly fulfills the command concerning the Passover lamb in [Exodus 12:46](/exodus/12-46 "Exodus 12:46 - Regulations for the Passover Lamb") and [Numbers 9:12](/numbers/9-12 "Numbers 9:12 - Second Passover Regulations"), which stated that "neither shall ye break a bone thereof." By identifying Jesus with the Passover lamb, John emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate, unblemished sacrifice whose blood atones for sin, just as the Passover lamb's blood protected Israel from the angel of death. Second, it aligns with [Psalm 34:20](/psalm/34-20 "Psalm 34:20 - God Preserves the Righteous"), which declares concerning the righteous, "He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken." This highlights Jesus' perfect righteousness and God's divine preservation of His Son. Therefore, the unbroken bones are not a mere detail but a profound theological statement about Jesus' identity, the nature of His sacrifice, and the meticulous fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 19:36 is a powerful testament to the Christ-centered nature of all Scripture, revealing Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The seemingly minor detail of His unbroken bones on the cross profoundly connects Him to the Old Testament sacrificial system, specifically identifying Him as the quintessential [Passover Lamb](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover"). Just as the original Passover lamb's unblemished nature and unbroken bones were prerequisites for its efficacy in averting judgment ([Exodus 12:46](/exodus/12-46 "Exodus 12:46 - Passover Lamb Regulations")), so too Jesus' physical integrity on the cross underscores His sinless perfection ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")) and the completeness of His atoning work. His death, therefore, was not a defeat but the precise execution of God's eternal purpose, a sacrifice "once for all" that perfectly satisfied divine justice ([Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26-28 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). This fulfillment narrative in John serves to authenticate Jesus as the promised Messiah, demonstrating that every detail of His life and death, even those orchestrated by human hands, was under the sovereign control of God to bring about salvation for humanity ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Predetermined Plan")).

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

Psalms 34:20

He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Numbers 9:12

They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.

Exodus 12:46

In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

Psalms 22:14

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

John 19:28

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Psalms 35:10

All my bones shall say, LORD, who [is] like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

Matthew 1:22

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,