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. (32) Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. (33) But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: (34) But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came thereout blood and water. (35) And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. (36) For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. (37) And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
The preparation here spoken of, was, I apprehend, that which was usual for the sabbath, see Mark 15:42 and this was still more highly esteemed, being a sabbath in the passover season; and added to these, it was the sabbath in which all the people presented themselves before the Lord. Leviticus 23:10, etc. And the law allowed none to hang on a tree until the night. Deuteronomy 21:22-23. But what is most worthy our observation, and indeed the Holy Ghost hath put his divine emphasis upon what is here recorded, in the preservation of the bones of Christ unbroken, (as his mystical body forms a complete whole, and never to be broken), and the side of Jesus pierced; thereby fulfilling at once two memorable prophecies. See Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalms 34:10; Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7. See also John 3:5 and the commentary upon it. And I beg to detain the Reader with a short observation more on the words of John, in quoting the passage from Zechariah 12:10. If the Reader will compare what John here saith with the words of the Prophet, he will find, that in the prophecy, Jehovah is speaking of himself; and therefore saith, that when he hath poured upon the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications; the consequence, saith the Lord, shall be, that they shall look upon me. Whereas John records the fact, and is, therefore, only the historian to prove the correspondence. But, Reader! do not overlook that He who predicted and promised these things was Jehovah; (indeed who less than Jehovah could so foresee and so promise), and that Jehovah is Jesus. Nothing can be more plain and palpable. And how was the whole yet further accomplished, when at the day of Pentecost, as Jesus promised his disciples, he sent the Holy Ghost with these tokens? Luke 24:49; John 15:26-27; Acts 2:33-41