John 19:31

It was Preparation Day, so in order to prevent the bodies’ hanging on the cross during the Sabbath (for the Sabbath was a great day) the Jews begged Pilate to have the legs broken, and the bodies taken away.

Montgomery New Testament

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

30Then after he had taken the vinegar, Jesus said, "IT IS FINISHED!" And bowing his head, he yielded up his spirit.

32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who had been crucified with him.

Read all of John 19

Cross References

Mark 15:42Toward sunset, as it was the preparation (that is the day preceding the Sabbath),

John 19:14And it was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about six o’clock in the morning. Then he said to the Jews, "Behold your King!"

Matthew Henry on John 19:20-31

The Inscription on the Cross; The Crucifixion. 19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. 23 Then the… Read the whole commentary →

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