John 19:31-37 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the sabbath day… I. THE SIGHTS JOHN BEHELD (vers. 32-35). 1. The breaking of the robbers' legs. How and why this came to pass the Evangelist explains; also how and why the operation was omitted in the case of Christ. 2. The piercing of the Saviour's side. Not a slight scratch, but a strong thrust of a soldier's lance, given to render assurance of Christ's death doubly sure. 3. The streaming of blood and water from the wound — unusual, if not directly miraculous. As Christ's body saw no corruption the change upon it which should culminate in a resurrection had begun. The water and the blood were an indication of the presence of that new life which was to issue in the transformation of what was earthly and corporeal into that which is heavenly and spiritual. II. THE REFLECTIONS JOHN MADE (vers. 36, 37; 1 John 5:6). 1. That Christ was the true Paschal Lamb. He arrived at this conclusion by observing the coincidence between the not breaking of Christ's legs and the ancient paschal ordinance (Exodus 12:46). At the time perhaps it escaped his notice, but reflecting on it afterwards he saw in that seemingly accidental, but really providential, circumstance, "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." 2. That Israel would one day be converted to Christ. John remembered Zechariah 12:10. Since the first part of the prophecy was undeniably fulfilled, he knew the other would be, and he had not long to wait. Within two months many of Christ's murderers were crying, "What shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). And the day will come when all shall cry it (Romans 11:25, 26; 2 Corinthians 3:16). 3. That Christ crucified was an all-sufficient Saviour for men. This was suggested; if not then, afterwards, by streaming forth of blood and water, to cleanse and regenerate (1 John 5:6). (T. Whitelaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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