John 19:31
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.
Original Language Analysis
Οἱ
G3588
Οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 35
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 35
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
μείνῃ
remain
G3306
μείνῃ
remain
Strong's:
G3306
Word #:
6 of 35
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
ἐπὶ
upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
7 of 35
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σταυροῦ
the cross
G4716
σταυροῦ
the cross
Strong's:
G4716
Word #:
9 of 35
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.,
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματα
the bodies
G4983
σώματα
the bodies
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
11 of 35
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαββάτου
sabbath day
G4521
σαββάτου
sabbath day
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
14 of 35
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
γὰρ
(for
G1063
γὰρ
(for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
19 of 35
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
μεγάλη
an high
G3173
μεγάλη
an high
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
20 of 35
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρα
day
G2250
ἡμέρα
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
22 of 35
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
ἐκείνου
that
G1565
ἐκείνου
that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
23 of 35
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαββάτου
sabbath day
G4521
σαββάτου
sabbath day
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
25 of 35
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
31 of 35
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
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 19:14And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!John 19:42There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.Mark 15:42And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,Proverbs 12:10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.Exodus 12:16And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.John 19:1Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.Joshua 8:29And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.Micah 3:3Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does concern for ritual purity while orchestrating murder demonstrate the danger of external religion without heart transformation?
- What modern forms of 'straining at gnats while swallowing camels' do religious people practice today?
- How should Christians guard against prioritizing religious observance over justice, mercy, and faithfulness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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 away—crurifragium (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.