ACC ~ John 19 v36

NO BROKEN BONES WITH A PASSOVER LAMB

AUGUSTINE: In the Passover a lamb is killed, representing Christ of whom it is said in the Gospel, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” [1] In the Passover the bones of the lamb were not to be broken. And on the cross the bones of the Lord were not broken. The Evangelist, in reference to this, quotes the words “a bone of him shall not be broken.” [2] The posts were marked with blood to keep away destruction, as people are marked on their foreheads with the sign of the Lord’s passion for their salvation. REPLY TO FAUSTUS THE MANICHAEAN 12.30. [3]

[1] Jn 1:29.

[2] Num 9:12.

[3] NPNF 1 4:193**. A less satisfactory answer as to why there were no broken bones is given by Lactantius Divine Institutes 4.26: “lest his body, being injured and broken, should be rendered unsuitable for rising again. But see also Origen Commentary on the Gospel of John 10.94, which anticipates Augustine’s interpretation.

JOHN ENLISTS MOSES’ TESTIMONY

CHRYSOSTOM: For even if this was said with reference to the lamb of the Jews, still it was for the sake of the reality that the type preceded and was fulfilled in this event. On this account the Evangelist brought forward the prophet. For John would have cast doubt on himself if he continually produced only himself as a witness. Therefore, he brings Moses to help him and says that this did not happen without purpose but was written about long ago. And this is the meaning of the words “a bone of him shall not be broken.” [1] Again he confirms the prophet’s words by his own witness. These things, he says, I have told you so that you might learn the close relationship between the type and its reality. He goes to great lengths to create faith in what might otherwise be a matter of reproach and shame. … Let no one then be unbelieving, [John is saying], or through shame do injury to our cause. For the things that appear to be most shameful are the very venerable records [2] of our good things. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 85.3. [3]

[1] See Ex 12:46; Num 9:12.

[2] Gk semnologēmata.

[3] NPNF 1 14:319**.