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

JOHN 19:32KJV
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John 19:32 (KJV)

What does John 19:32 mean?

John 19:32 describes how the Roman soldiers broke the legs of the two men who were crucified alongside Jesus. This action was taken to hasten their deaths, as breaking the legs would prevent the crucified from pushing up to breathe.

In this scene, the Gospel writer is narrating what happened during the crucifixion of Jesus. The soldiers are carrying out orders to speed up the deaths of those being crucified before the Sabbath began. The verse focuses on the two other men, not Jesus himself, showing the method the Romans used to ensure those crucified would die more quickly.

The Greek behind John 19:32

  • The word for "soldiers" (στρατιῶται, stratiōtai) refers specifically to Roman military men, highlighting that these were official executions under Roman authority.
  • The verb "brake" (κατέαξαν, kateaxan) means to shatter or break, often understood as breaking bones; here, it refers to the deliberate breaking of the legs to hasten death.
  • The word for "legs" (σκέλη, skelē) is specific to the lower limbs, clarifying exactly what part of the body was broken.
  • The phrase "with him" (συνσταυρωθέντα, synstaurōthenta) literally means "crucified with him," emphasizing that these two men shared the same fate as Jesus, though their deaths were handled differently.

Why John 19:32 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the soldiers did not immediately break Jesus’ legs, which becomes important in the next verses for understanding the fulfillment of prophecy.
  • The detail about breaking the legs shows the brutality of Roman crucifixion and the practical steps taken to ensure death before the Sabbath.
  • John 19:32 sets up a contrast between Jesus and the two others crucified with him, preparing the reader for the unique way Jesus’ death is described in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“legs” Greek G4628 · used in 3 verses

  • John 19:31 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.
  • John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

“brake” Greek G2608 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
  • John 19:31 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.
  • John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

“with” Greek G4957 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 27:44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
  • Mark 15:32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
  • Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

“soldiers” Greek G4757 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
  • Acts 21:35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.