Lexical Summary skelos: Leg Original Word: σκέλος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance leg. Apparently from skello (to parch; through the idea of leanness); the leg (as lank) -- leg. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition the leg (from the hip down) NASB Translation legs (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4628: σκέλοςσκέλος, σκελους, τό, from Homer down, the leg i. e. from the hip to the toes inclusive: John 19:31f, 33. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek 4628 refers to the literal “legs,” used solely in the crucifixion narrative of the Gospel according to John. Although a mundane anatomical term, its placement at the climax of the Passion account invests it with far-reaching historical, prophetic, and pastoral importance. Occurrences in Scripture John 19:31-33: three rapid-fire appearances concentrate all New Testament usage at Golgotha—first in the request of the Jewish leaders, then in the soldiers’ compliance toward the two thieves, and finally in the decisive statement that Jesus’ legs were left unbroken. Historical-Cultural Background 1. Roman practice: Crurifragium (breaking of the lower limbs with an iron mallet) hastened suffocation, shortened suffering, and deterred rescue. Prophetic Significance John 19:36 immediately interprets the unbroken legs as fulfillment of Scripture: The soldiers’ restraint, though contrary to normal procedure, fulfills prophecy against all human expectation, underscoring divine sovereignty over every detail of Messiah’s death. Passover Typology John’s Gospel has already introduced Jesus as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). The preservation of His bones on the preparation day for Passover dovetails with Exodus typology, echoed later in 1 Corinthians 5:7 and 1 Peter 1:18-19. Unbroken legs certify that the true Passover Lamb, once slain, remains wholly sufficient and perfect. Testimony to the Reality of Christ’s Death Sceptics have postulated that Jesus merely swooned. The narrative counters this by recording: The detail of unbroken legs therefore strengthens the historicity of the Lord’s actual death and the bodily foundation of resurrection faith. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Reliability of Scripture: Centuries-old prophecies converge in a single detail, encouraging confidence in every promise of God. Patristic and Jewish Reception Church Fathers such as Augustine saw in these verses a dual apologetic: against Docetism (affirming real flesh) and against Marcionism (showing continuity with the Old Testament). Rabbinic tradition about the Paschal lamb’s unbroken bones provides an inadvertent testimony that the crucifixion occurred within Israel’s own sacrificial framework. Related Themes and Cross-References • Isaiah 53:5—wounded yet not broken, paralleling the Servant’s suffering. Summary The solitary New Testament appearances of σκέλη become a theological linchpin: demonstrating fulfilled prophecy, authenticating the historical death of Jesus Christ, showcasing Him as the flawless Passover Lamb, and reinforcing the trustworthiness of the biblical witness for faith and ministry today. Forms and Transliterations εσκέπασαν εσκέπασε εσκέπασέ σκελη σκέλη σκέλος σκελών σκεπάζεται σκεπαζόμενος σκεπάρνοις σκεπάρνω σκεπάσαι σκεπάσει σκεπάσεις σκεπάσης σκεπασθήναι σκεπασθήσεται σκεπασθήσομαι σκεπασθησόμεθα σκεπασθήτε σκέπασόν σκεπάσω skele skelē skéle skélēLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 19:31 N-NNPGRK: αὐτῶν τὰ σκέλη καὶ ἀρθῶσιν NAS: Pilate that their legs might be broken, KJV: that their legs might be broken, and INT: their legs and taken away John 19:32 N-ANP John 19:33 N-ANP |
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