Church Fathers Commentary John 19:31-37

"The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high [day]), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and [that] they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him: but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water. And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe. For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced." — John 19:31-37 (ASV)

St. John Chrysostom: The Jews, who strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel, after their audacious wickedness, reasoned scrupulously about the day: The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath.

The Venerable Bede: Parasceve, that is, preparation, was the name for the sixth day because the children of Israel prepared twice the number of loaves on that day. For that Sabbath day was an high day, on account of the feast of the Passover.

St. Augustine of Hippo: This was not done to break their legs, but to cause death, so that they might be taken down from the cross and the feast day not be defiled by the sight of such terrible torments.

Theophylact of Ohrid: For it was commanded in the Law that the sun should not set on the punishment of anyone; or perhaps they were unwilling to appear as tormentors and murderers on a feast day.

St. John Chrysostom: How powerful is truth! It is their own devices that accomplish the fulfillment of prophecy: Then came the soldiers and broke the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they broke not His legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side.

Theophylact of Ohrid: To please the Jews, they pierced Christ, thus insulting even His lifeless body. But the insult results in a miracle, for it is a miracle that blood should flow from a dead body.

St. Augustine of Hippo: The Evangelist expressed himself cautiously; not that Christ's side was struck or wounded, but that it was opened. Through this opening, the gate of life was unlocked, from where the sacraments of the Church flowed, without which we cannot enter into that life which is the true life. And immediately, blood and water came from it.

That blood was shed for the remission of sins; that water tempers the cup of salvation. This is what was prefigured when Noah was commanded to make a door in the side of the ark, through which the animals that were not to perish by the deluge entered—animals that prefigured the Church. To foreshadow this, the woman was made from the side of the sleeping man. For this second Adam bowed His head and slept on the cross, so that from what came from His side, a wife might be formed for Him. O death, by which the dead are made alive! What can be purer than that blood? What more salutary than that wound!

St. John Chrysostom: Since this is the source from which the holy mysteries are derived, when you approach the awe-inspiring cup, approach it as if you were about to drink from Christ’s own side.

Theophylact of Ohrid: Shame then on those who do not mix water with the wine in the holy mysteries, for they seem not to believe that water flowed from the side. If only blood had flowed, one might have said that some life was left in the body, and that this was the reason the blood flowed. But the flowing of water is an undeniable miracle, and for this reason the Evangelist adds, And he that saw it bare record.

St. John Chrysostom: It is as if to say, “I did not hear it from others, but saw it with my own eyes.” He adds that his record is true, not because he had mentioned something so wonderful that his account would be suspected, but to stop the mouths of heretics and to reflect on the deep value of those mysteries he announces.

St. Augustine of Hippo: He who saw it knows; let him who did not see it believe his testimony. He provides testimony from the Scriptures for each of these two things he relates. After stating that they did not break His legs, he adds, For these things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken. This was a commandment that applied to the sacrifice of the paschal lamb under the old law, a sacrifice that foreshadowed our Lord’s.

Likewise, after stating, “One of the soldiers with a spear opened His side,” he then follows with another Scripture testimony: And again another Scripture saith, They shall look on Him whom they pierced. This is a prophecy which implies that Christ will come in the very flesh in which He was crucified.

St. Jerome: This testimony is taken from Zechariah.