John 19:36

ἐγένετο. Came to pass. Note that S. John uses the aorist, where S. Matthew, writing nearer to the events, uses γέγονεν. ‘Hath come to pass’ implies that the event is not very remote; Matthew 1:22; Matthew 21:4; Matthew 26:56. The γάρ depends on πιστεύσητε. Belief is supported by Scripture; for the two surprising events, Christ’s escaping the crurifragium and yet having His side pierced, were evidently preordained in the Divine counsels. The first γραφή (John 2:22; John 12:38) is Exodus 12:46. For συντρίβειν comp. Matthew 12:20; Mark 5:4; Mark 14:3; Revelation 2:27. Thus He who at the opening of this Gospel was proclaimed as the Lamb of God (John 1:29; John 1:36), at the close of it is declared to be the true Paschal Lamb. The Paschal Lamb, as dedicated to God, was protected by the Law from rough treatment and common uses. Its bones must not be broken; its remains must be burned. Once more we have evidence that S. John’s consistent and precise view is, that the death of Christ coincided with the killing of the Paschal Lamb. And this seems also to have been S. Paul’s view (see on 1 Corinthians 5:7).