John 19:42
There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Original Language Analysis
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 15
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
διὰ
because
G1223
διὰ
because
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
3 of 15
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅτι
day for
G3754
ὅτι
day for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 15
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐγγὺς
nigh at hand
G1451
ἐγγὺς
nigh at hand
Strong's:
G1451
Word #:
9 of 15
near (literally or figuratively, of place or time)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημεῖον
the sepulchre
G3419
μνημεῖον
the sepulchre
Strong's:
G3419
Word #:
12 of 15
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
ἔθηκαν
laid they
G5087
ἔθηκαν
laid they
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
13 of 15
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
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 19:31The 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.Isaiah 53:9And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.John 19:41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
Historical Context
Jewish law required burial same day as death (Deuteronomy 21:23). Sabbath began at sundown Friday. This time constraint meant Joseph and Nicodemus worked quickly but thoroughly. The women observed burial location to return Sunday (Mark 16:1), providing multiple witnesses who could testify the same tomb later found empty was where Jesus was buried.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's providence in small details—tomb location, timing, witnesses—strengthen resurrection evidence?
- What does the haste required by Sabbath law teach about how God uses even legal restrictions to accomplish His purposes?
- How should believers trust that God orchestrates even seemingly minor details to accomplish His sovereign will?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand (ἐκεῖ οὖν διὰ τὴν παρασκευὴν τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ὅτι ἐγγὺς ἦν τὸ μνημεῖον, ἔθηκαν τὸν Ἰησοῦν, ekei oun dia tēn paraskeuēn tōn Ioudaiōn, hoti engys ēn to mnēmeion, ethēkan ton Iēsoun)—Time pressure (παρασκευή, paraskeuē, 'Preparation day'—Friday before Sabbath) and proximity (ἐγγὺς ἦν, engys ēn, 'was near') determined the burial location. They had perhaps two hours before 6pm Sabbath. The verb ἔθηκαν (ethēkan, 'they placed, laid') suggests reverent positioning of Jesus's body in the tomb.
Divine providence arranged every detail: Joseph's unused tomb happened to be near Golgotha; the timing forced hasty but complete burial; witnesses observed the location (Luke 23:55). These 'coincidences' ensured irrefutable resurrection evidence—known tomb, verified death, sealed entrance, yet empty three days later. Nothing was left to chance; God orchestrated circumstances to maximize evidential clarity for the most important event in history.