19:32a

So the soldiers came: It is implied that Pilate agreed to order the soldiers to break the men’s legs. Then they went to where the men were crucified, and the place is also implied. In some languages it will be natural to include this implied information in the translation. For example:

⌊Pilate agreed⌋ . So ⌊he⌋ sent his soldiers to ⌊where the three men were crucified/executed⌋ .

19:32b

and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and those of the other: The phrases the first man who had been crucified with Jesus and the other refers to the two thieves on the crosses next to Jesus. The soldiers broke the legs of both of the men who were still alive. For example:

broke the legs of the two men who had been crucified with Jesus, first the one and then the other (NET Bible)

broke the legs: This phrase indicates that the soldiers broke the bone in the leg below the knee. Roman soldiers broke legs by hitting the lower part of the legs with a heavy iron mallet (large hammer or club).

crucified with Jesus: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Jesus is literally “he,” as in the New Revised Standard Version. The Berean Standard Bible sometimes uses names instead of pronouns in order to clarify the person to whom the author is referring. Refer to Jesus in a way that is natural in your language.

General Comment on 19:32a–b

In some languages it may be natural to mention the crucified men in 19:32a rather than 19:32b. For example:

The soldiers accordingly came to the men crucified with Jesus and broke the legs of each in turn. (Revised English Bible)

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