[roylene]

I am sure you remember that Isaiah says that the Messiah will not have a broken bone. It was a customary rule for the Romans to break the legs of those crucified to bring on the death of the victim. It prevented them from standing straight on the cross, death actually came from suffocation because of the way they were positioned on the cross. So of course they could not push up on the block to prevent the suffocation if their legs were broken.

[AFPhys]

I'm sorry - I somehow missed your comment to me.

Yes, re.Isaiah. Yes, re. the legs were broken of those crucified to hasten death. I wish to make a slight modification to what you wrote, though: it is my understanding that 'normally', those who were crucified did not have their legs broken, but that they were left to agonize interminably on their cross until they finally succumbed. Good Friday was a special case because of the high Jewish holiday, and the appeal to Pilate that the bodies not be displayed during that time brought on the breaking of the legs of the two criminals.

[StonyBurk]

If I remember correctly the Gospel accounts do declare that not a bone was broken. And extra biblical accounts I have read have suggested that before a Holy Day the Romans
would break the legs of any crucified to hasten their death.
Jesus was percieved as dead already and the spear thrust into His side produced water mixed with blood sure sign
that He was indeed dead therefore breaking of His legs
would be an exercise in redundency.

[alisasny]

In the movie Christ dies on the cross and the two others are still alive. As Christ dies the earthquake starts and the Romans appear scared and break the legs of the other two. They then stab Jesus and blood and water fly out. Someone shouts that Jesus is dead and they all scatter during the quake.

[Poodlebrain]

To the Romans breaking the legs of the crucified was an act of mercy. It reduced the suffering by accelerating death via suffocation. Crucifixion with broken legs would result in death in a matter of minutes as the body weight suspended accross the shoulders would crush the lungs and prevent breathing. Without broken legs the legs continue to support body weight and the suffering could last for hours or even days. Death by suffocation only occurred after exhaustion.