John 19:31–37

Verse 31. Because it was the Parasceve. It is also called, (verse 14) the day of preparation of the Pasch. Lit. the Parasceve of the Pasch. And (verse 31) the Jews, because it was the preparation, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for that was a great sabbath day, and so forth Some pretend, by these expressions, to prove that Friday, the year Christ suffered, was not the first and great day of the feast of Azyms, but only the day of preparation, and that on Friday night the Jews eat the paschal lamb, and not the night before, or Thursday night, as Christ had done with his disciples. But according to the common exposition, Friday is here called the day of preparation, for the great and solemn sabbath, which happened in the paschal week. See Tillemont on the 5th passage out of John, p. 698. § 11. and 12. Witham.

Verse 34. There came out blood and water, which naturally could not come from a dead body. Witham.—Hence it is, that the sacred mysteries flow; as often, therefore, as thou approachest the awful cup, approach it as if thou wert going to drink from thy Saviour’s sacred side. Saint John Chrysostom hom. lxxxiv. in Joan.—The holy Fathers say, that the spouse of Jesus Christ was here taken out of his side, whilst sleeping on the cross, as Eve was from Adam’s side, when he was cast asleep in Paradise.

Verse 36. You shall not break a bone of him. This, which was literally spoken of the paschal lamb, (Exod. 12:46) the evangelist applies to Christ, of whom the lamb was a figure. Witham.—This had been said of the paschal lamb, which was a figure of Jesus Christ. Exod. 12:46 and Numb. 9:12.

Verse 37. This text is from Zachary, 12:10. and seems to refer most literally to Jesus Christ.