Was Jesus’ body given or broken for our sins?  Many times, particularly around communion we hear the leader of the service mention that Jesus’ body was broken for our sin.  That is not the case.  Let’s take a look at a few verses to see what the Bible has to say on the topic.

The Death of Jesus

John 19:36 (NASB) For these things came to pass, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN”.

This verse is in the passage from John 19:28-37.  This passage is describing Jesus’ time on the cross right before His death.  It was the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath (v. 31).  The Jews asked for Pilates permission to break the legs of the victims to speed up the process of death.  They wanted to ensure that Jesus’ body was not left on the cross on the Sabbath.  The soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves first, but when they got to Jesus (v. 33) they noticed that He was already dead.  Rather than break His legs, they pierced His side with a spear just to make sure He was dead.  This fulfills two Old Testament prophecies.

Old Testament Prophecies

In John 19:36 the verse declares that Jesus’ death was confirmed without the breaking of His legs to fulfill the prophecy that none of His bones will be broken.  These verses are: Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, and Psalm 34:20.  In these verses scripture clearly states that not one bone of the Passover sacrifice is to be broken.  Jesus’ body was not broken, rather they pierced Him with a spear.  That fulfills another Old Testament prophecy found in Zechariah 12:10.  That verse explains in detail that His body is to be pierced and that they will “…LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.”

Conclusion

In any process of validation, it is always good to have more than one source of information or witness.  The verses from John 19:36-37 are confirmed by four references in the Old Testament.  From the passage in Exodus we are instructed regarding the Passover.  The Passover sacrifice was to die on the night before the Sabbath and not a single bone of the sacrifice was to be broken.  On the night of the first Passover, any who did not place the blood of the sacrifice on their doorposts risked all the firstborn of their family being put to death.  The death of the Passover sacrifice meant that the death associated with their sin would passover them and be placed on the soul of the sacrificed animal.  At the conclusion of His crucifixion they looked on Jesus after having pierced His side fulfilling the verse in Zechariah.

Jesus death took place precisely as prophesied.  Not a single bone of His body was broken.  Rather He was given for our sins and our transgressions.