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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
- BSB It was the day of Preparation, and the next day was a High Sabbath. In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed.
- 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.
- NASB Now then, since it was the day of preparation, to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews requested of Pilate that their legs be broken, and the bodies be taken away.
- NLT It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The leaders ask Pilate to hasten the deaths so bodies won't remain on the Sabbath. Their scruple about ritual purity sets up the next events.
Overview
Breaking the legs sped death by suffocation, allowing burial before the special Passover Sabbath (Deuteronomy 21:23). Ironically, the leaders are meticulous about ceremonial law while having engineered an unjust execution. Their request providentially leads to the events that fulfill Scripture concerning Jesus' bones and his pierced side.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- 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,
- Josh 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.
- Prov 12:10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
- Exod 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.
- Mic 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.
- Lev 23:7–16In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
- Deut 21:22–23And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:
- Josh 10:26–27And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.
- Matt 27:62Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
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