John 19:41
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
Original Language Analysis
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τόπῳ
the place
G5117
τόπῳ
the place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
5 of 19
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
ἐσταυρώθη
he was crucified
G4717
ἐσταυρώθη
he was crucified
Strong's:
G4717
Word #:
7 of 19
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημεῖον
sepulchre
G3419
μνημεῖον
sepulchre
Strong's:
G3419
Word #:
13 of 19
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
καινὸν
a new
G2537
καινὸν
a new
Strong's:
G2537
Word #:
14 of 19
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
ᾧ
G3739
ᾧ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 19
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Matthew 27:60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.Luke 23:53And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.Isaiah 22:16What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?John 20:15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Historical Context
Garden tombs near Jerusalem were owned by wealthy families—carved from rock, sealed with rolling stones. Joseph owned this tomb (Matthew 27:60), intending it for his own burial. Providing it for Jesus was costly—he'd need another tomb. Archaeological site Church of the Holy Sepulchre preserves ancient tradition locating both Golgotha and garden tomb.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'garden' setting connect Jesus's death and resurrection to both Creation (Eden) and new creation themes?
- What's the theological significance of Jesus being buried in a new, unused tomb?
- How does Joseph's sacrifice of his personal tomb illustrate costly discipleship—giving Jesus what was most precious?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid (ἦν δὲ ἐν τῷ τόπῳ ὅπου ἐσταυρώθη κῆπος, καὶ ἐν τῷ κήπῳ μνημεῖον καινὸν ἐν ᾧ οὐδέπω οὐδεὶς ἦν τεθειμένος, ēn de en tō topō hopou estaurōthē kēpos, kai en tō kēpō mnēmeion kainon en hō oudepō oudeis ēn tetheimenos)—Crucifixion occurred at Golgotha (John 19:17); nearby was a κῆπος (kēpos, 'garden') containing Joseph's μνημεῖον καινόν (mnēmeion kainon, 'new tomb'). The phrase οὐδέπω οὐδεὶς ἦν τεθειμένος (oudepō oudeis ēn tetheimenos, 'no one yet had been laid') emphasizes the tomb's unused state—prepared by Joseph but virgin until Jesus's burial.
The 'garden' evokes Eden where sin entered (Genesis 3); now in a garden, redemption is accomplished. The unused tomb fulfills typology: like the unblemished sacrifice, Jesus rested in a 'new' tomb undefiled by prior death. This also eliminates claims others' bones were later confused with Jesus's—no one else was ever buried there.