Devine Scripture

John 19:42

What does John 19:42 mean?

A plain-English look at John 19:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 19:42 means

Because it was the Jewish Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was fast approaching, and because the tomb was conveniently nearby, Joseph and Nicodemus quickly laid Jesus' body there. The urgency of the situation, driven by the onset of the Sabbath, dictated a swift burial. This ensures that the body was laid to rest according to custom before the holy day, concluding the narrative of Jesus' crucifixion and burial, and paving the way for the events of the resurrection.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

There then because of the Jews’ Preparation (for the tomb was nigh at hand) they laid Jesus.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

There then because of the Jews’ Preparation (for the tomb was nigh at hand) they laid Jesus.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So they put Jesus there, because it was the Jews' day of getting ready for the Passover, and the place was near.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

there, therefore, because of the preparation of the Jews, because the tomb was nigh, they laid Jesus.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

There, therefore, because of the parasceve of the Jews, they laid Jesus: because the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

There therefore, on account of the preparation of the Jews, because the tomb was near, they laid Jesus.

Context

This verse concludes the narrative of Jesus' burial, detailing the practical reasons for His swift placement in the nearby tomb. It follows the preparation of His body and the description of the new tomb. This final action sets the stage for the glorious resurrection, underscoring the urgency of the moment before the Sabbath and highlighting the temporary nature of His rest in the grave before His ultimate triumph.

v.41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb wherein was never man yet laid.

v.42This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:4

    and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;

  • Acts 13:29

    And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.

  • John 19:41

    Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb wherein was never man yet laid.

  • Matthew 12:40

    for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

  • John 19:31

    The 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.

  • Isaiah 53:9

    And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

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