31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” (John 19:31–37 (ESV)
In our study of the Gospel of Matthew’s record of the Passion Week of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is necessary, and insightful, to examine all four Gospel accounts. This discipline provides us understanding of all the events and encounters which took place during those hours.
There is a lot of information surrounding the burial of Jesus Christ following His death on the cross. All four Gospels provide insight into this historical moment. The Gospel of John in particular gives a glimpse into an event immediately following Jesus’ death. It demonstrates the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Lord; even to the minutest detail.
John mentioned Jesus’ death occurred on the Day of Preparation. This would be the day before the Sabbath and also the beginning of Passover that year. This is why John called this Sabbath a high day. It also proves Jesus died on a Friday because the Sabbath was always on a Saturday.
In order for the bodies to not remain on the crosses during the Sabbath, the soldiers would break the legs of the condemned. This would prevent them from pushing up their bodies with their legs, while on the cross, in order to breathe. Without being able to exhale and inhale, the crucified individual would suffocate and die. This was an assured manner of hastening death.
Not having the authority to do so, the Jews asked Pontius Pilate for the criminal’s legs to be broken for this purpose. Pilate agreed to the request and had the Roman soldiers break the three men’s legs. They did so to the criminals on either side of Jesus. When they came to the Lord, they saw He was already dead so they did not break His legs. However, to ensure Jesus was truly dead, one of the soldiers pierced the Lord’s side with a spear. Blood and water flowed out from the wound indicating the spear pierced Jesus’ heart.
“Though the Romans had no problem leaving crucified victims hanging on crosses long after they died (allowing their corpses to rot or be eaten by birds), the Jewish leaders insisted that Jesus’ body be taken down. The Mosaic Law stipulated that a person hanged on a tree should not remain there overnight (Deut. 21:22–23). They would have been especially wary of this in light of the Passover celebration. In order to hasten death for certain reasons, soldiers would break the legs of the victim with an iron mallet. Doing so inhibited the dying man’s ability to push up with his legs in order to breathe. Death by asphyxiation soon followed,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.
“The soldier’s stabbing of Jesus’ side caused significant penetration because of the sudden flow of blood and water. Either the spear pierced Jesus’ heart or the chest cavity was pierced at the bottom. In either event, John mentioned the outflow of “blood and water” to emphasize that Jesus was unquestionably dead.”
John provided a commentary concerning this event. He stated. “35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” John testified he was an eyewitness to this event (v. 26; 13:23; 20:2; 21:7, 20; cf. 1 John 1:1–4). The Old Testament Scriptures John referred to were Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalm 34:20, and Zechariah 12:10.
“John quoted from either Ex. 12:46 or Num. 9:12, since both stipulate that the bones of the Passover lamb must not be broken. Since the NT portrays Jesus as the Passover Lamb that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29; cf. 1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Pet. 1:19), these verses have special typologically prophetic significance for him. The quote in John 19:37 comes from Zech. 12:10. The anguish and contrition of the Jews in the Zechariah passage, because of their wounding of God’s Shepherd, is typologically prophetic of the time of the coming of the Son of God, Messiah, when at his return, Israel shall mourn for the rejection and killing of their King (cf. Rev. 1:7),” concludes Dr. MacArthur.
Not even seemingly insignificant details were overlooked concerning Jesus’ death on the cross. The Gospels are true and accurate.
Soli deo Gloria!
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