John 19:32
New International Version
The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other.

New Living Translation
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus.

English Standard Version
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him.

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.

Berean Literal Bible
So the soldiers came, and indeed they broke the legs of the first, and of the other having been crucified with Him.

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

New King James Version
Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him.

New American Standard Bible
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other who was crucified with Him;

NASB 1995
So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him;

NASB 1977
The soldiers therefore came, and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other man who was crucified with Him;

Legacy Standard Bible
So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him;

Amplified Bible
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other who had been crucified with Him.

Christian Standard Bible
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with Him.

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

Contemporary English Version
The soldiers first broke the legs of the other two men who were nailed there.

English Revised Version
The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The soldiers broke the legs of the first man and then of the other man who had been crucified with Jesus.

Good News Translation
So the soldiers went and broke the legs of the first man and then of the other man who had been crucified with Jesus.

International Standard Version
So the soldiers went and broke the legs of the first man and then of the other man who had been crucified with him.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men who had been crucified with Jesus, first the one and then the other.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him;

Webster's Bible Translation
Then came the soldiers, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him.

Weymouth New Testament
Accordingly the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and also of the other who had been crucified with Jesus.

World English Bible
Therefore the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with him;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The soldiers, therefore, came, and they indeed broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him,

Berean Literal Bible
So the soldiers came, and indeed they broke the legs of the first, and of the other having been crucified with Him.

Young's Literal Translation
The soldiers, therefore, came, and of the first indeed they did break the legs, and of the other who was crucified with him,

Smith's Literal Translation
Then came the soldiers, and truly brake the legs of the first, and of the other crucified with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The soldiers therefore came; and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the soldiers approached, and, indeed, they broke the legs of the first one, and of the other who was crucified with him.

New American Bible
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other one who was crucified with Jesus.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first one, and of the other one who was crucified with him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the soldiers came and they broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then came the soldiers and broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him.

Godbey New Testament
Then the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first one, and of the other one being crucified along with Him.

Haweis New Testament
Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him.

Mace New Testament
accordingly the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him.

Weymouth New Testament
Accordingly the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and also of the other who had been crucified with Jesus.

Worrell New Testament
The soldiers, therefore, came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with Him;

Worsley New Testament
So the soldiers came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with Him. But coming to Jesus,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus' Side is Pierced
31It was the day of Preparation, and the next day was a High Sabbath. In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed. 32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and those of the other. 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.…

Cross References
Psalm 34:20
He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.

Exodus 12:46
It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of the bones.

Numbers 9:12
they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.

Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

John 19:36
Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”

John 19:37
And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.”

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:36
When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

Matthew 27:35
When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.

Mark 15:24
And they crucified Him. They also divided His garments by casting lots to decide what each of them would take.

Luke 23:33
When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left.

John 20:25
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

John 20:27
Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”

1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Revelation 1:7
Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.


Treasury of Scripture

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

of the first.

John 19:18
Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

Luke 23:39-43
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us…

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Accordingly Army Brake Break Broke Broken Cross Crucified Death First Indeed Jesus Legs Soldiers
John 19
1. Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, and beaten.
4. Pilate is desirous to release him,
15. but being overcome with the outrage of the crowd, he delivers him to be crucified.
23. They cast lots for his garments.
25. He commends his mother to John.
28. He dies.
31. His side is pierced.
38. He is buried by Joseph and Nicodemus.














So the soldiers came
This phrase sets the scene for a pivotal moment in the crucifixion narrative. The soldiers, Roman by nationality, were tasked with ensuring the death of those crucified. Historically, Roman soldiers were known for their discipline and adherence to orders, reflecting the might and authority of the Roman Empire. The Greek word for "soldiers" here is "στρατιῶται" (stratiōtai), indicating their role as enforcers of Roman law. This moment underscores the fulfillment of prophecy and the unfolding of divine plans through human actions.

and broke the legs
The act of breaking the legs, known as "crurifragium," was a common practice to hasten death during crucifixion. The Greek term "ἔθραυσαν" (ethrausan) means to shatter or crush, emphasizing the brutality of the act. This was done to prevent the crucified from pushing up with their legs to breathe, leading to a quicker death by asphyxiation. This detail highlights the harsh reality of crucifixion and the suffering endured by those subjected to it.

of the first
The phrase "of the first" indicates the sequence in which the soldiers carried out their orders. The Greek word "πρῶτος" (prōtos) signifies the first in order or importance. This methodical approach by the soldiers reflects their efficiency and the grim routine of their duties. It also sets the stage for the fulfillment of Scripture concerning Jesus, who was crucified alongside two others.

and of the other
This phrase continues the sequence, referring to the second criminal crucified with Jesus. The Greek word "ἄλλος" (allos) means another or the other, indicating the second individual. The mention of both criminals emphasizes the completeness of the soldiers' task and the shared fate of those crucified with Christ, yet it also contrasts with the unique treatment of Jesus, as prophesied.

who had been crucified with Him
This phrase identifies the individuals subjected to the same fate as Jesus. The Greek "συσταυρωθέντων" (sustaurōthentōn) means "crucified with," highlighting their shared experience of suffering. This detail fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12, which states that the Messiah would be "numbered with the transgressors." It underscores the depth of Jesus' identification with sinners, bearing the weight of humanity's sin even in His death.

(32) Then came the soldiers,. . . .--The words do not mean, as they have sometimes been understood, that other soldiers came, but refer to the quaternion before named (John 19:23), who had naturally fallen back from the crosses, and are here represented as coming forward to complete their work. The mention of the "first" and the "other" suggests that they formed two pairs, and began on either side breaking the legs of the thieves crucified with Jesus.

Verses 32-34. - Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first - two of the quaternion employed on the one deed, and two on the other - and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they brake not his legs. Their barbarous mercy was unnecessary, and John caw in this another correspondence with the sacred symbolism and prophetic anticipations of the Old Testament. But one of the soldiers pierced - gashed, probably, for the word ἔνυξεν is used in both senses - his side with a spear (λόγχῃ, a lance, a heavy formidable weapon) to give him the coup de grace, should their expectation not be actually realized, and forthwith came there-out blood and water. We do not enter into the numerous physiological reasons which have been advanced by Gruner, Bartholinus, and Dr. Stroud ('Physical Cause of the Death of Christ') for this event, but regard it as one of the great portents of the Crucifixion, which cannot be entirely explained as some physiologists have done. Dr. Schaff appears willing to accept the hypothesis that the extravagated blood, being first separated into its two constituents, was thus liberated from the pericardium - a phenomenon that might seem to justify the supposition of the evangelist, that it was blood and water. Dr. Stroud endeavored, with much medical learning, to show that this might follow the side-piercing if the Lord's physical death had followed, as he argued, from rupture of the heart due to his intense agonies. Sir R. Bennett has accepted this solution. Nor, further, do we see here any reference to the sacramental system of which John elsewhere says so little; but we do see a token miraculously given of the twofold power of his redemptive life and work

(1) renovation, refreshment, rivers of living water issuing from the κοίλια of Christ, the first great rush of spiritual power which was to regenerate humanity; and

(2) the expression of that redemptive process which was effected in the positive shedding of his precious blood. It was, moreover, a proof and sign given to Roman soldiers that their Victim was actually dead. We cannot think, with Westcott, that it was a kind of sign of the commencement of the resurrection-life, which goes perilously near to the assertion that he never really died. Moulton argues that the phenomena were physiologically possible if the-event occurred immediately after death. There is nothing in the narrative to prevent such juxtaposition. That John should have witnessed it, and been unable to understand it, and therefore put it down among the marvels of the Crucifixion, corroborates the veracity of the eye-witness (Webster and Wilkinson). The interesting catena of patristic interpretations given by Westcott ('Additional Note') shows that the earliest writer who refers to the marvel, Claudius Apollinaris, regarded it as expressive of λόγος and πνεῦμα, "the Word and the Spirit." Origen showed that from a corpse such a phenomenon could not occur; and so even in his death there are still the signs of the living one. Cyril of Jerusalem saw the two baptisms of blood and water; Chrysostom, the two sacraments, or the mysteries of baptism and of the flesh and blood. Macarius Magnes and Apollinarius saw an allusion to the side of Adam, from which Eve, the source of evil, was taken; that now the side of the second Adam should give forth the means of salvation and deliverance. Tertullian dwells on the two baptisms of water and blood; so Jerome; while Augustine sees in it the laver and the cup. That there was some special, abnormal phenomenon seems specially noticeable from the emphasis which the eye-witness lays upon the observation and record of the fact.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

soldiers
στρατιῶται (stratiōtai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4757: A soldier. From a presumed derivative of the same as stratia; a camper-out, i.e. A warrior.

came
ἦλθον (ēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

broke
κατέαξαν (kateaxan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2608: To break down (in pieces), crush, break into. From kata and the base of rhegnumi; to rend in pieces, i.e. Crack apart.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

legs
σκέλη (skelē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4628: The leg (from the hip downwards). Apparently from skello; the leg.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

first [man]
πρώτου (prōtou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.

who
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

had been crucified with
συσταυρωθέντος (systaurōthentos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4957: To crucify together with. From sun and stauroo; to impale in company with.

[Jesus],
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[those] of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

other.
ἄλλου (allou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.


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John 19:31
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