John 19:32
What does John 19:32 mean?
A plain-English look at John 19:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 19:32 means
The Roman soldiers proceeded to break the legs of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. This brutal act of crurifragium would have brought immediate and agonizing death to hasten their demise before the Sabbath. Their actions are a stark reminder of the harsh realities of Roman execution and the practical efficiency of the soldiers in carrying out their duties. This detail underscores the contrast with what they would find when they approached Jesus.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So the men of the army came, and the legs of the first were broken and then of the other who was put to death on the cross with Jesus:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The soldiers, therefore, came, and of the first indeed they did break the legs, and of the other who was crucified with him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The soldiers therefore came: and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first and of the other that had been crucified with him;
Context
This verse describes the soldiers carrying out the Jewish leaders' request by breaking the legs of the two criminals. This action sets up the critical moment when they approach Jesus, expecting to do the same. This leads directly to the discovery of Jesus' prior death, which will prevent them from breaking His legs and fulfill yet another prophecy concerning the Messiah.
v.31The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
v.32This passage
v.33but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 23:39
And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us.
- John 19:18
where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
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