John 19:31 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Because the bodies must not hang on the cross into the high Sabbath, the leaders ask Pilate to have the men's legs broken and the bodies taken away.
What Does John 19:31 Mean?
The law forbade leaving a hanged man's body overnight (Deuteronomy 21:22-23), and the coming Sabbath fell in Passover week — a high day. So the leaders ask Pilate for the breaking of legs, which brought swift death, so the crosses could be cleared before sundown.
There is a terrible carefulness in it: scrupulous about the calendar while the Lord of the Sabbath dies outside the wall. Religion can keep its schedule and miss its God. Yet even this request becomes providence, setting in motion the very details by which scripture will be fulfilled (John 19:36-37). God is not absent from that afternoon's administration; he is keeping ancient promises through it.
Frequently Asked Questions About John 19:31
What does John 19:31 mean?
Because the bodies must not hang on the cross into the high Sabbath, the leaders ask Pilate to have the men's legs broken and the bodies taken away.