John 19:31
What does John 19:31 mean?
A plain-English look at John 19:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 19:31 means
Because it was the Preparation Day for the Sabbath (a particularly "high day" due to Passover), the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies to remain on the crosses, as this would defile the holy day. They asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken, a practice called crurifragium, which hastened death by preventing them from pushing up to breathe. This urgency highlights their strict adherence to ceremonial law, even after orchestrating such a profound injustice.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now it was the day of getting ready for the Passover, and so that the bodies might not be on the cross on the Sabbath (because the day of that Sabbath was a great day), the Jews made a request to Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The Jews, therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, since it was the preparation, (for that sabbath day was a great one,) asked of Pilate that their legs may be broken, and they taken away.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then the Jews (because it was the parasceve), that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day (for that was a great sabbath day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken: and that they might be taken away.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The Jews therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for it was [the] preparation, (for the day of that sabbath was a great [day],) demanded of Pilate that their legs might be broken and they taken away.
Context
This verse introduces the Jewish leaders' concern for proper Sabbath observance, immediately following Jesus' death. Their request to Pilate to break the legs of the crucified men sets the stage for the remarkable discovery that Jesus was already dead. This action, driven by their religious custom, directly leads to the fulfillment of further Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah's body.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 19:42
There then because of the Jews’ Preparation (for the tomb was nigh at hand) they laid Jesus.
- Leviticus 23:7
In the first day ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work.
- John 19:1
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
- John 19:14
Now it was the Preparation of the passover: it was about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King!
- Mark 15:42
And when even was now come, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
- Joshua 10:26
And afterward Joshua smote them, and put them to death, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.
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