Since it was the preparation day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away.

So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with Him.

When they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs since they saw that He was already dead.