Let’s read John 19:31-32, “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. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.” 

This Sabbath day was a high day.  Because it coincided with the Passover, it was a day of double sacredness and solemnity.  We read in Deuteronomy 21:22-23, “And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.”  It is odd that these Jews who rejected the Lord Jesus as their Messiah were still concerned about keeping certain points of the law.  These Jews realized that death by crucifixion would take days before death occurred so they determined to brake the legs of those crucified so that death might be immediate.  With their legs broken, they would not be able to support their weight with their legs.  This would cause them to have great difficulty breathing and suffocation would occur quickly. 

Verse 33 tells us, “But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs.”  Earlier, in verse 30, we read, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”  Although the intent of the Jews was to murder the Lord Jesus, He “gave up the ghost.”  By His own power, the Lord Jesus gave up His life as a sacrifice for our sins.  There was no need for the soldiers to break the Lord’s legs since He was already dead.

Verse 34 says, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”  Probably trying to ensure the Lord Jesus was dead, the soldier drove his sword into His side.  This action would not include breaking one of the Lords’ ribs.  The sword would have easily fit in between His ribs, allowing the sword to penetrate the Lord’s heart, where blood and water flowed out. 

Verses 35-36 say, “And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.”  The one who “saw it” was the Apostle John.  He wrote these details so that others might believe on the Lord Jesus.  The scripture that was fulfilled here is in reference to the paschal lamb as we read in Exodus 12:46, “In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; NEITHER SHALL YE BREAK A BONE thereof.”  That this Passover lamb was in reference to the future coming Lamb of God is confirmed in 1 Corinthians 5:7, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even CHRIST OUR PASSOVER is sacrificed for us.” 

Your question is very important because the exact fulfillment of scripture is vital.  Truly, not a bone of the Lord Jesus was broken, thus manifesting that the Lord Jesus is indeed our Passover lamb.  (475.2)