31It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down.
32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus.
33But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs.
34One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
35(This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.)
36These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,”
