John 19:40
Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα
the body
G4983
σῶμα
the body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
4 of 19
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔδησαν
wound
G1210
ἔδησαν
wound
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
8 of 19
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
αὐτὸ
it
G846
αὐτὸ
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 19
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
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Jewish burial required washing the body, anointing with spices, and wrapping in linen strips—process taking several hours. They had to complete this before 6pm when Sabbath began. The haste partly explains the women's intention to return Sunday with additional spices (Mark 16:1), though they found the tomb empty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the detailed burial account validate Jesus's real death against swoon theories?
- What does the care and expense of Jesus's burial by Joseph and Nicodemus teach about properly honoring Christ?
- How do the burial details—wrapped body in sealed tomb—make the resurrection evidence more compelling?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury (ἔλαβον οὖν τὸ σῶμα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ καὶ ἔδησαν αὐτὸ ὀθονίοις μετὰ τῶν ἀρωμάτων, καθὼς ἔθος ἐστὶν τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ἐνταφιάζειν, elabon oun to sōma tou Iēsou kai edēsan auto othoniois meta tōn arōmatōn, kathōs ethos estin tois Ioudaiois entaphiazein)—They wrapped Jesus's body in ὀθόνια (othonia, 'linen strips/cloths') μετὰ τῶν ἀρωμάτων (meta tōn arōmatōn, 'with the spices'), following Jewish burial customs. The verb ἔδησαν (edēsan, 'bound, wrapped') indicates tight binding. This detail becomes significant in resurrection accounts: the grave clothes remained intact yet empty (John 20:6-7), indicating Jesus passed through them rather than unwrapping.
This proper burial fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 53:9) and validated Jesus's true death against later claims He merely swooned. The care taken by Joseph and Nicodemus—wealthy men risking defilement before Passover—demonstrates costly love. Their 'burial rites' prepared the tomb Jesus would vacate three days later, making the resurrection undeniable: sealed tomb, wrapped body, Roman guard, yet empty grave.