(208) Jesus’ Side Pierced
John 19:31-37
[31]Now the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and their bodies taken away, because it was the day of Preparation and they didn’t want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day). [32]So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who was crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other man. [33]But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. [34]Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water immediately came out. [35]And he who saw it has testified, and his record is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you might believe. [36]For these things were done that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones shall be broken.”[1] [37]And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”[2]
(208) Jesus’ Side Pierced
John 19:31-37, KJV
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
(1) Ex. 12:46, Num. 9:12, Ps. 34:20 (2) Zech. 12:10 It normally took more than a few hours for a man to die on the cross, and their legs would sometimes be broken to hasten death. But God knew He would not die the normal death on the cross, and this is why, some 1400 years earlier, He commanded that the bones of the Passover lamb must not be broken.
Harmony of The Gospels: The Four Gospels arranged into a single narrative