John 19:31

 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.

a. NASB 1995:  Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.   [NASB95 New American Standard Bible. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation; All Rights Reserved]

b. NKJV: Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.  [Scripture quotations marked "NKJV" are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.]

c. Classic Amplified: Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from hanging on the cross on the Sabbath—for that Sabbath was a very solemn and important one—the Jews requested Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken away.  [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Peshitta Eastern Text: Now because it was Friday the Jews said, Let not these bodies remain on their crosses because the sabbath is dawning; for that sabbath was a great day. So they besought Pilate to have the legs of those who were crucified broken, and to have them lowered down.  [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT. Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

e. ESV: Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.  [Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."]

f. Unless otherwise stated, all Greek and Hebrew definitions are from Blue Letter Bible

1. 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,)...” 

a. The [Strong: 3588. [Hoi] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [Hoi] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]

b. Jews [Strong: 2453 Ioudaîos, ee-oo-dah'-yos; from G2448 (in the sense of G2455 as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:—Jew(-ess), of Judæa.]

c. therefore [Strong: 3767 oûn, oon; apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:—and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]

d. because [Strong: 1893 epeí, ep-i'; from G1909 and G1487; thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause):—because, else, for that (then, -asmuch as), otherwise, seeing that, since, when.]

e. [it was [Strong: 2258 ēn, ane; imperfect of G1510; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):—+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.]

f. [the] preparation [Strong: 3904 paraskeuḗ, par-ask-yoo-ay'; as if from G3903; readiness:—preparation.]

g. that [Strong: 2443 hína, hin'-ah; probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):—albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

h. the [Strong: 3588. [ta] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [ta] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]

i. bodies [Strong: 4983 sōma, so'-mah; from G4982; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:—bodily, body, slave.]

j. [should] not [Strong: 3361 mḗ, may; a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:—any but (that), × forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

k. remain [Strong: 3306 ménō, men'-o; a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):—abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), × thine own.]

l. upon [Strong: 1909 epí, ep-ee'; a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:—about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, × have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with.]

m. the [Strong: 3588. [tou] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tou] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]

n. cross [Strong: 4716 staurós, stow-ros'; from the base of G2476; 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. self-denial; by implication, the atonement of Christ:—cross.]

o. on [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:—about, after, against, + almost, × altogether, among, × as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), × mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, × outwardly, one, × quickly, × shortly, (speedi-)ly, × that, × there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

p. the [Strong: 3588. [tō] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tō] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]

q. sabbath day  [Strong: 4521 sábbaton, sab'-bat-on; of Hebrew origin (H7676); the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications:—sabbath (day), week.]

r. for [Strong: 1063 gár, gar; a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):—and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

s. that [Strong: 1565 ekeînos, ek-i'-nos; from G1563; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:—he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), × their, × them, they, this, those.]

t. [Strong: 3588. [tou] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tou] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]

u. sabbath day  [Strong: 4521 sábbaton, sab'-bat-on; of Hebrew origin (H7676); the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight, i.e. the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications:—sabbath (day), week.]

v. was [Strong: 2258 ēn, ane; imperfect of G1510; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):—+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.]

w.  [an] high [Strong: 3173 mégas, meg'-as; (including the prolonged forms, feminine μεγάλη megálē, plural μεγάλοι megáloi, etc.; compare also G3176, G3187); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):—(+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, × to years.]

x. [Strong: 3588. [hē] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [hē] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]

y. day [Strong: 2250 hēméra, hay-mer'-ah; feminine (with G5610 implied) of a derivative of ἧμαι hēmai (to sit; akin to the base of G1476) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; 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 the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):—age, + alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.]

1). Jesus Was Crucified on a Thursday, October 23, 2024 by Stephen Davey

Introduction: The day of Jesus' crucifixion is traditionally observed on Friday, but there has been ongoing debate about whether this is accurate. Was Jesus actually crucified on a Thursday? This question isn't just a matter of tradition versus alternate interpretation—it touches on the integrity of Jesus' prophecy, the symbolism of Passover, and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. To understand why Thursday might be the more accurate day for Jesus' crucifixion, we must look closely at the details of Passion Week, the timeline of events, and the scriptural clues that point us in this direction. This article will explore why a Thursday crucifixion better aligns with the Gospel accounts, fits Jesus' own words about His burial, and resolves certain criticisms of the biblical text. Let's take a journey through these important details and discover how God's timing is truly perfect.

a). The Timeline of Passion Week Triumphal Entry on Sunday (Palm Sunday) Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, often called Palm Sunday, occurred on the 10th day of the month Nisan. This day was significant because, according to Exodus 12, it was the day when the Jewish people were to select their Passover lambs. As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He did so surrounded by thousands of lambs being brought for sacrifice—symbolizing that He Himself was the final Passover Lamb who would deliver humanity from sin.

b). The Four Days Leading to Sacrifice: The Passover lambs, chosen on the 10th of Nisan, were to be kept for four days and sacrificed on the 14th. In this particular year, the 14th day fell on a Thursday. Jesus, as the ultimate sacrificial lamb, was crucified on this very day—the same day the Passover lambs were killed—fulfilling the symbolism of the final, perfect sacrifice. This detail underscores the importance of Jesus' role in God's divine plan of redemption.

c). Jesus' Prophecy and the Three Days and Nights; The Prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 12:40; In Matthew 12:40, Jesus predicted that He would be in "the heart of the earth" for three days and three nights, just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish. A Friday crucifixion struggles to fit this timeline—it allows for parts of three days, but only two nights. A Thursday crucifixion, however, provides the full three days and three nights that Jesus spoke of, from Thursday evening to Sunday morning.

d). Calculating the Timeline: Thursday Crucifixion; A Thursday crucifixion means Jesus was buried on Thursday evening, which counts as the first night. Friday was the first day, followed by Friday night, Saturday day, and Saturday night. Jesus then rose on Sunday morning, fulfilling the "three days and three nights" prophecy literally. Understanding this timeline allows us to take Jesus' words at face value, without needing to reinterpret the phrase symbolically or stretch the meaning of "three days." This literal fulfillment also reinforces the credibility of Jesus' words and the consistency of biblical prophecy.

e). Evidence from the Gospel Accounts: Multiple Sabbaths During Passion Week

In Mark 15:42, we read that Jesus was crucified on "the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath." Traditionally, this has been interpreted to mean Friday, the day before the weekly Sabbath. However, during the Passover week, there was an additional Sabbath—called a "High Sabbath"—which could fall on a different day of the week, not necessarily Saturday. This distinction is crucial to understanding the timeline of Jesus' crucifixion, as it helps clarify why certain events happened when they did, and it resolves discrepancies in the traditional Friday crucifixion timeline.

f). The Role of the High Sabbath (John 19:30-31) John's Gospel provides crucial insight by clarifying that the Sabbath following Jesus' death was a "high day"—a special Passover Sabbath, not the regular weekly Sabbath. This suggests that Jesus was crucified on the day before this High Sabbath, which fell on Friday. Thus, Jesus was crucified on Thursday, making way for two Sabbaths—Friday's High Sabbath and Saturday's regular Sabbath—before His resurrection on Sunday. This explanation helps to understand why the traditional timeline often feels incomplete.

g). Matthew's Clue: Plural Sabbaths: Matthew 28:1 adds another important clue. Many English Bible translations render Sabbath as singular in the verse, but the Greek word, σαββάτων, is plural. Matthew is statring that that after the "Sabbaths" (plural), Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb. The use of the plural form indicates there were two Sabbaths back-to-back: the High Sabbath on Friday and the regular weekly Sabbath on Saturday. This dual-Sabbath scenario supports a Thursday crucifixion, providing an extra day in between for these two rest periods. This dual Sabbath explanation helps resolve the confusion around the events that took place during Passion Week and aligns all the Gospel accounts more coherently.

Additionally, understanding the context of these Sabbaths provides clarity on why the women waited until Sunday to visit the tomb. The back-to-back Sabbaths would have prohibited travel and preparation, meaning that Sunday morning was the first available opportunity for them to anoint Jesus' body. These details come together to give us a clearer picture of the actual timeline, reinforcing the reliability of the Gospel narratives. Wisdom International, https://www.wisdomonline.org/

2. “...besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.”

a. besought [Strong: 2065 erōtáō, er-o-tah'-o; apparently from G2046 (compare G2045); to interrogate; by implication, to request:—ask, beseech, desire, intreat, pray.]

b. [Strong: 3588. [ton] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [ton] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]

c.  Pilate [Strong: 4091 Pilâtos, pil-at'-os; of Latin origin; close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman:—Pilate.]

d. [Strong: 2443 hína, hin'-ah; probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):—albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

e. their [Strong: 846 autós, ow-tos'; from the particle αὖ aû (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); 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:—her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

f. [Strong: 3588. [ta] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [ta] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, Hē, hē, hai, tas.]

g. legs [Strong: 4628 skélos, skel'-os; apparently from σκέλλω skéllō (to parch; through the idea of leanness); the leg (as lank):—leg.]

h. [might be] broken [Strong: 2608  katágnymi, kat-ag'-noo-mee; from G2596 and the base of G4486; to rend in pieces, i.e. crack apart:—break.]

i. [and that they might be] taken away [Strong: 142 aírō, ah'-ee-ro; a primary root; 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 anchor); by Hebraism (compare H5375) to expiate sin:—away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).]