John 19 Verses 31-37

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. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.” 

“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.”  The reason the Jews wanted the bodies to be removed from the cross was because the next day was a Sabbath.  This was not the 7^th day Sabbath however.  The first day of the feast of unleavened bread began immediately after the Passover day.  This high day referred to in this passage was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  According to the Old Testament this was a day of rest or a Sabbath Day.  Most people who were crucified would live on the cross for a few days.  However, if their legs were broken then they would not have the ability to push their torso up and breathe.  Thus they would quickly die.   

“Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”  The actions that took place at this time, fulfilled two more Old Testament prophesies concerning the coming Christ: 

1.  Ps. 22:16 “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.” 

2.  Zec. 12:10 “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” 

John 19 Verses 38-42 

John 19:38  “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.” 

The above account is of the burial of Jesus.  We see at the death of Jesus two men who had previously been secret disciples of Jesus come out and claim the body of Jesus.  We note that Jesus body was wrapped in linen clothes and about an hundred pound weight of spices.  Those spices were a mixture of myrrh and aloes.  This should call our attention back to the gifts of the wise men at the birth of Jesus.  One of the gifts was myrrh.  Myrrh was associated with burial in the scriptures.  This gift pointed us to the great things Jesus would accomplish in his death.   

The disciples Joseph and Nicodemus did not have far to take the body of Jesus as the place of Joseph’s new tomb was in the garden where Jesus was crucified.  Since there were only three hours from the time that Jesus was taken down from the cross until sundown and the beginning of the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, it was imperative that his body be buried by the time the sun went down.