The answer is: False

John 19:33 - Jesus had already died by then so the soldiers didn't need to break his legs

Let’s dive further into the event described in John 19:33 where the soldiers decide not to break Jesus' legs. Picture the scene: We’re at a crucifixion site, where breaking the legs of crucified individuals was a common practice. Why, you ask? It was a brutal way to hasten death; when crucified people could no longer support themselves, they could no longer breathe well and would succumb to suffocation. Gruesome, right?

But here’s the interesting twist—by the time those soldiers get to Jesus, he’s already passed away. This fulfills a deeper significance too. In Exodus 12:46, the instructions concerning the Passover lamb specify it must not have any broken bones. Jesus is often symbolically linked to this Passover lamb as his crucifixion becomes a significant element in Passover theology.

Moreover, Jesus’ death followed soon after he made a profound statement: "It is finished." In this moment, a wave of fulfillment crashes through the air—a completion of what had been foreshadowed throughout history in the sacrificial system.

As if that’s not enough, there’s a fascinating echo in the story! In Psalm 34:20, it foretells that the righteous will not have any broken bones, intriguingly tying back Jesus’ narrative into wider scriptures. All these colorful threads interweave to create a richer tapestry of understanding around events that seem straightforward at first glance!