John 19:33-37

NLT: ³³But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was dead already, so they didn’t break his legs. ³⁴One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out. ³⁵This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account; it is presented so that you also can believe. ³⁶These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, "Not one of his bones will be broken," ³⁷and "They will look on him whom they pierced."

NIV: ³³But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. ³⁵The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. ³⁶These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," ³⁷and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."

NASB: ³³but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ³⁴But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. ³⁵And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. ³⁶For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, "Not a bone of Him shall be broken." ³⁷And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."

KJV: ³³But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: ³⁴But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. ³⁵And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. ³⁶For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. ³⁷And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Comment: The point of this passage is that something unusual occurred in Jesus' crucifixion. He had died before the other crucifixion victims. Furthermore, the spear thrust into his side proved he was already dead. Why the unusual death? John noticed that it parallels two scriptures; one interpreting the Passover lamb in a symbolic fashion and another claiming the Messiah would be one who was pierced. The Passover lamb was not to have its bones broken but no explicit reason for that is recorded in the scriptures. Was it just a coincidence that Jesus bones were not broken and that he was being crucified at the same time the Paschal lambs were being slaughtered or was it that an Old Testament symbol was being fulfilled in the death of the Messiah? Also why would the scripture say the Jews would look upon him whom they pierced? For that to be fulfilled, the Messiah would need to be pierced somehow and the Jews would need to see the one pierced. So here we have those requirements being fulfilled. Given that Jesus' death fulfilled scripture, it would stand to reason the scriptures requiring a resurrection would be fulfilled as well (e.g. Psalm 16:10).