King James Version

What Does John 19:31 Mean?

John 19:31 in the King James Version says “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day,... — study this verse from John chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

The 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.

John 19:31 · KJV


Context

29

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

31

The 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.

32

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

33

But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The 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,) (Οἱ οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι, ἐπεὶ παρασκευὴ ἦν, ἵνα μὴ μείνῃ ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τὰ σώματα ἐν τῷ σαββάτῳ, ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ σαββάτου, Hoi oun Ioudaioi, epei paraskeuē ēn, hina mē meinē epi tou staurou ta sōmata en tō sabbatō, ēn gar megalē hē hēmera ekeinou tou sabbatou)—Jewish law forbade leaving bodies on crosses overnight (Deuteronomy 21:23), especially before a Sabbath. This was ἡ παρασκευή (hē paraskeuē, 'the Preparation'), Friday before Sabbath. Moreover, ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα (ēn gar megalē hē hēmera, 'it was a high day')—Passover Sabbath coinciding with weekly Sabbath. Besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken awaycrurifragium (breaking legs) hastened death by preventing victims from pushing up to breathe, causing rapid asphyxiation.

The irony is brutal: religious leaders who orchestrated Jesus's execution now concern themselves with ritual purity, wanting bodies removed before Sabbath. They strain at gnats while swallowing camels (Matthew 23:24)—meticulous about ceremonial law while murdering the Messiah. This exposes how religion without heart can coexist with horrific evil.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman crucifixion normally left bodies to rot as deterrent, but Romans accommodated Jewish sensibilities in Judea. Archaeological evidence from first-century Jerusalem (Yehohanan ben Hagkol, discovered 1968) confirms crucifixion practices and leg-breaking. Passover Sabbath (15 Nisan) was especially sacred, making this a 'high' Sabbath.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does concern for ritual purity while orchestrating murder demonstrate the danger of external religion without heart transformation?
  2. What modern forms of 'straining at gnats while swallowing camels' do religious people practice today?
  3. How should Christians guard against prioritizing religious observance over justice, mercy, and faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 35 words
Οἱ1 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὖν2 of 35

therefore

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

Ἰουδαῖοι3 of 35

The Jews

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

ἵνα4 of 35

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

μὴ5 of 35
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

μείνῃ6 of 35

remain

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

ἐπὶ7 of 35

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοῦ8 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σταυροῦ9 of 35

the cross

G4716

a stake or post (as set upright), i.e., (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e.,

τὰ10 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σώματα11 of 35

the bodies

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

ἐν12 of 35

on

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ13 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σαββάτου14 of 35

sabbath day

G4521

the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,

ἐπεὶ15 of 35

because

G1893

thereupon, i.e., since (of time or cause)

παρασκευὴ16 of 35

the preparation

G3904

readiness

ἦν17 of 35

it was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἦν18 of 35

it was

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

γὰρ19 of 35

(for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

μεγάλη20 of 35

an high

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

21 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέρα22 of 35

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἐκείνου23 of 35

that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

τοῦ24 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σαββάτου25 of 35

sabbath day

G4521

the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,

ἠρώτησαν26 of 35

besought

G2065

to interrogate; by implication, to request

τὸν27 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πιλᾶτον28 of 35

Pilate

G4091

close-pressed, i.e., firm; pilatus, a roman

ἵνα29 of 35

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

κατεαγῶσιν30 of 35

might be broken

G2608

to rend in pieces, i.e., crack apart

αὐτῶν31 of 35

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τὰ32 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σκέλη33 of 35

legs

G4628

through the idea of leanness); the leg (as lank)

καὶ34 of 35

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀρθῶσιν35 of 35

that they might be taken away

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 19:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 19:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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