Day 29
John 19: 31-37
31Since 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. 32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35He who saw it has borne witness - his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth - that you also may believe. 36For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken." 37And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced."
Piercing the Side of Jesus (John 19: 31-37)
John is the only one to give us this detail and it has the ring of an eye-witness about it. Those crucified by the Romans would normally be left until they died and then the scavengers would come and devour the rotting flesh. Under Jewish law, anyone hanged on a gibbet was not to be left overnight (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). If death had to be hurried for any reason (verse 31), the prisoner's legs would be broken (this was called crucifragium). Aside from the shock which could kill by itself, it prevented the prisoner pushing upwards and continuing to breathe. What is surprising in these verses is that the legs of Jesus weren’t broken, as was the case with the other two, but his side was pierced, which was not part of normal procedure. It isn't clear what the 'blood and water' that flowed from his side signifies, but John tells us that the legs of Jesus weren't broken 'that the Scripture might be fulfilled'; (verse 36; see Psalm 34:20).
Think: What other ‘fulfilled scriptures’ can you think of in connection with the crucifixion?
