Blood and Water

English Standard Version Chapter 19

31 Since 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.

Sabbath is coming, and the Jews need to make sure that they have a clean city. They don’t want bodies decorating their borders while they celebrate the Passover.

English Standard Version Chapter 19

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

This was a common method to speed up crucifixion. This actually caused the people to suffocate.

English Standard Version Chapter 19

33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

As John has already said, Jesus is dead by this point. He already said it is finished, and at that point he gave up his Spirit. Seeing this, the Roman soldiers decide not to break his legs.

English Standard Version Chapter 19

34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

However, just to make absolutely certain that this man was dead, they put a spear into his side and watched as blood and water poured out of him.

English Standard Version Chapter 19

35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.

John here wants to make it abundantly clear that Jesus really did die. He even breaks the fourth wall to make the point that he was an eye witness and he saw these things himself.

English Standard Version Chapter 19

36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

This gives us further proof that Jesus is exactly who he says he was. The fulfilment of prophecy is a very important aspect of the validity of the claim that Jesus is the Messiah.