Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 19:42
There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation [day]; for the sepulcher was nigh at hand.
42. the Jews’ preparation day ] Perhaps another slight indication that the Gospel was written outside Palestine. Or the addition ‘of the Jews’ may point to the time when there was already a Christian ‘preparation-day.’ See notes on ‘the Passover of the Jews ’ (Joh 2:13; Joh 11:55).
It would seem as if the burial was hastily and temporarily performed. They probably intended after the Sabbath to make a more solemn and complete burial elsewhere.
was nigh at hand ] Perhaps this fact suggested to Joseph the thought of going to Pilate. He had a sepulchre of his own close to Golgotha.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 42. Because of the Jews’ preparation] From this it may be conjectured that they had designed to have put him in a more magnificent tomb; or, that they intended to make one expressly for himself after the passover: or, that they had designed to have put him somewhere else, but could not do it for want of time; and that they put him here because the tomb was nigh. It appears plainly, from embalming, c., that none of these persons had any hope of the resurrection of Christ. They considered him as a great and eminent prophet, and treated him as such.
1. IN the burial of our Lord, a remarkable prophecy was fulfilled: His death was appointed with the wicked and with a rich man was his tomb. See Lowth on Isa 53:9. Every thing attending his mock trial, his passion, his death, his burial, c., afforded the fullest proof of his innocence. In still continuing to reject him, the Jews seem to have exceeded the ordinary bounds of incredulity and callousness of heart. One might imagine that a candid attention to the Gospel facts, collated with those passages in the law and in the prophets which they acknowledge to speak of the Messiah, would be sufficient to furnish them with the utmost evidence and fullest conviction that he is the Christ, and that they are to expect none other. But where people once make a covenant with unbelief, argument, reason, demonstration, and miracles themselves, fail to convince them. As their conviction, through this obstinacy, is rendered impossible, it belongs to God’s justice to confound them. At present they have scarcely any correct knowledge of the true God and, while they continue to reject the genuine faith, they are capable of crediting the most degrading absurdities.
2. The holy sepulchre, or what has long passed for the burial place of our Lord, is now no more! On the following information the reader may depend: “On the night of October 11, 1808, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was discovered to be on fire; and between five and six in the morning the burning cupola, with all the melting and boiling lead upon it, fell in. The excessive heat which proceeded from this immense mass of liquid fire, caused not only the marble columns, which supported the gallery, to burst; but likewise the marble floor of the Church, together with the pilasters and images in bas relief that decorate the chapel, containing the holy sepulchre, situated in the centre of the church. Shortly after, the massive columns which supported the gallery, fell down, together with the whole of the walls.” Thus has perished the famous church raised by the Empress Helena fourteen hundred years ago, over the place where the body of our blessed Lord was supposed to have been deposited, while he lay under the power of death. And thus has perished an engine of superstition, fraud, and imposture. To the most sinful purposes has this holy sepulchre been abused. The Greeks and Armenians have pretended that, on every Easter-eve, fire descends from heaven, and kindles all the lamps and candles in the place; and immense crowds of pilgrims frequent this place, on these occasions, in order to witness this ceremony, to light a taper at this sacred flame, and with these candles to singe and daub pieces of linen, which are afterwards to serve for winding sheets; for, says Mr. Maundrell, who was present, April 3rd, 1697, and witnessed the whole of this absurd and abominable ceremony, “it is the opinion of these poor people that, if they can but have the happiness to be buried in a shroud smutted with this celestial fire, it will certainly secure them from the flames of hell.”
See the whole of his circumstantial account of this imposture, and the ridiculous and abominable ceremonies with which it is accompanied, in his Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem, edit. 5th, pp. 94-97; and let the reader thank God that he is not degraded with a superstition that renders the grace of the Gospel of none effect.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
There they immediately buried Christ, because the time strictly called the preparation (for the whole day was so called) was nigh at hand. See a fuller account of the history of our Saviours passion, death, and burial:
See Poole on “Mat 27:1“, and following verse to Mat 27:66, where what is said by all the evangelists is compared together, and made one complete history.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
There laid they Jesus therefore,…. Because it was a new sepulchre, and no man had been ever laid there before; and some other reasons are added:
because of the Jews’ preparation day; either for the Chagigah, or the sabbath, which was just at hand; the Persic version reads, “the night of the sabbath”: for this reason, they could not dig a grave purposely for him; for it was forbidden on feast days; and therefore they put him into a tomb ready made: the canon runs i,
“they may not dig pits, , “nor graves”, on a solemn feast day.”
The former of these, the commentators say k, are graves dug in the earth, and the latter edifices built over graves; and for the same reason, because it was such a day, they did not take his body to any of their houses, and embalm and anoint it, as they otherwise would have done; but this being a solemn day, and the sabbath drawing on apace, they hastened the interment, and took the most opportune place that offered:
for the sepulchre was nigh at hand; some say about an hundred and eight feet from the cross, and others an hundred and thirty feet, though some say but fifty or sixty, at furthest it was not far off.
i Misn. Moed Katon, c. 1. sect. 6. k Maimon. & Bartenora in ib.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Was nigh at hand ( ). This tomb was outside of the city, near a road as the Cross was, and in a garden. The hill looked like a skull and was probably Gordon’s Calvary seen from the Mount of Olives today.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “There laid they Jesus,” (ekei ethekan ton lesoun) “Out there they placed Jesus,” in that place, in that garden and in that tomb, known today as Gordon’s tomb, near Calvary, the place of a skull; He was put there for embalming and an hurried burial.
2) “Therefore, because of the Jews’ preparation day;” (oun dia ten paraskeuen ton loudaion) “Then because of the preparation day of the Jews,” Mat 27:62; Luk 23:54.
3) “For the sepulchre was nigh at hand.” (hoti engus hen to mnemeion) “Because the tomb was near,” near where He was crucified, or near at hand for a burial place, as it was late in the afternoon; Then followed the setting of the watch, described, Mat 27:66.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(42) The Jews preparation day.Comp. Joh. 19:14; Joh. 19:31, and Excursus F: The Day of the Crucifixion of our Lord, p. 559.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
My soul! never give over thy meditations of this unequalled subject! Follow the footsteps of thy Lord from place to place, the hall of Pilate, the hill of Calvary, from Gabbatha to Golgotha, and through all the painful process of the wonderful sights exhibited on that memorable day, and hear the voice of thy Lord at every one; Behold! and see! if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger!
But do not barely contemplate the astonishing scene, but meditate the cause. Read the inscription on the cross. He was wounded for our trangressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed! Matchless love! The Son of God becomes man that man might become a son of God. Jesus the Holy, harmless, undefiled Jesus, is made sin who knew no sin, that his people might be made the righteousness of God in him.
From the cross let my soul in holy meditation follow the Lord to the tomb. And why not hear the same voice as the holy women did, which said, Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Never, surely, did the grave receive such a Prisoner, though but for a short space! Never had death and the grave their full triumphs, when in the same hour their empire received a full overthrow. Precious Jesus! thou hast the keys of death, hell, and the grave. Oh! for grace frequently by faith to visit the garden and the tomb where the body of Jesus hath lain. Here let my soul meditate the wonderous subject, until He who hath the key of David, opens my little spot and grave to receive my body. Even now I hear the voice of consolation, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day ; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Ver. 4:2. Because of the Jews ] That they might not do servile work on the sabbath, though it were to inter Christ’s body. See Luk 23:56 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
42. ] . . . seems to indicate clearly the . of the Passover , as I have before maintained that the words mean; not the mere day of the week so called, which, as it was by the Christians also in the Apostles’ time named , would not be qualified by .
The words . . certainly at first sight appear as if John were not aware that the tomb belonged to Joseph; but it is more likely that the thought of asking for the body may have been originally suggested to Joseph by his possessing a tomb close to the place of crucifixion, and so . . may have been the real original reason of the whole proceeding: and John, not anxious to record every particular, may have given it as such.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 19:42 . “There, accordingly, on account of the preparation of the Jews, because the tomb was at hand, they laid Jesus.” The Friday was so nearly at an end that they had not time to go to any distance, and therefore availed themselves of the neighbouring tomb as a provisional, if not permanent, resting-place.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
There laid they Jesus. Here the body (Joh 19:38) is called “Jesus”. Compare Joh 20:2.
because of = on account of. Greek. dia. App-104. Joh 19:2.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
42.] . . . seems to indicate clearly the . of the Passover, as I have before maintained that the words mean; not the mere day of the week so called, which, as it was by the Christians also in the Apostles time named , would not be qualified by .
The words . . certainly at first sight appear as if John were not aware that the tomb belonged to Joseph; but it is more likely that the thought of asking for the body may have been originally suggested to Joseph by his possessing a tomb close to the place of crucifixion, and so . . may have been the real original reason of the whole proceeding: and John, not anxious to record every particular, may have given it as such.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 19:42
Joh 19:42
There then because of the Jews Preparation (for the tomb was nigh at hand) they laid Jesus.-It was a convenient place to deposit the body of Jesus until the Sabbath had passed when the women intended a more thorough embalming and sepulchre. [In the tomb of Jesus the Jews supposed his works to be buried forever. In it were buried the hopes of his disciples who had hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. In it, had he not risen, would have been buried the gospel, Christian civilization, and the hopes of the world. The future of the world was sleeping in this tomb.]
Questions on John Chapter Nineteen
E.M. Zerr
1. What did Pilate do to Jesus?
2. What did the soldiers put on his head?
3. State what they put on his body.
4. What did they say to him?
5. Tell what they did next?
6. State Pilate’s estimate of Jesus.
7. With what words did he present him?
8. This brought what cry from the mob?
9. What did Pilate bid them do?
10. Tell the acknowledgment he made.
11. To what document did the Jews refer?
12. What did they say it demanded?
13. On what ground?
14. What roused the fear of Pilate?
15. Where did he then go?
16. Repeat his question.
17. And the answer.
18. What claim did Pilate then make?
19. Repeat Jesus’ explanation of his power.
20. Who was the more responsible?
21. How did this impress Pilate?
22. What did it cause him to do?
23. To whom did the Jews refer in reply?
24. What connection between him and Pilate?
25. Upon this what did Pilate do to Jesus?
26. Before what holy day is it?
27. What are such preceding days called?
28. At what hour is it?
29. Repeat the announcement of Pilate.
30. What was the response?
31. And Pilate’s question?
32. To this what did the chief priests say?
33. What did Pilate finally do?
34. And what happened then?
35. What was Jesus made to bear?
36. To what place did they come?
37. What was done to Jesus here?
38. Was he the only victim?
39. What was written on the cross?
40. Who were said to have read the writing?
41. Tell why so many readers.
42. In what languages was it written?
43. Who protested to Pilate?
44. State the correction they wished made.
45. And the reply of Pilate.
46. How many soldiers crucified Jesus?
47. What did they do with his garments?
48. How did they dispose of his coat?
49. This fulfilled what?
50. Who were standing by the cross?
51. Which did Jesus notice?
52. Tell whom else he saw.
53. What did he say to his mother?
54. Who was the son that was meant?
55. How did this request result?
56. What request did Jesus make next?
57. That was after what request was made?
58. How was this request gratified?
59. After this what did Jesus say?
60. What occurred then?
61. Tell what is said of the next day?
62. What was desired about the bodies?
63. To whom did they appeal for permission?
64. Why break the legs?
65. Why not the legs of Jesus?
66. Instead, what was done?
67. How did the recorder learn this?
68. This fulfilled what prophecy?
69. What other scripture was fulfilled?
70. What man came after this?
71. Why was he interested?
72. And why come at night?
73. Tell his request.
74. What did he do?
75. Who else came?
76. Tell what these men did with his body.
77. In what kind of place was the body laid?
78. Why the hasty burial?
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
laid: Psa 22:15, Isa 53:9, Mat 12:40, Act 13:29, 1Co 15:4, Col 2:12
because: Joh 19:14, Joh 19:31
Reciprocal: Lev 2:6 – General 2Ch 16:14 – his own sepulchres Mat 27:62 – the day Luk 23:54 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2
Because of the Jews’ preparation day. Luk 23:54 says it was the day of the preparation, “and the sabbath drew on.” The preparation day was a busy time for the Jews (see notes at verse 31), hence it was convenient from that standpoint to bury Jesus at this place, for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 19:42. There therefore, because of the Preparation-day of the Jews (because the sepulchre was nigh at hand), laid they Jesus. These words can hardly mean that Jesus was laid in this tomb simply as a matter of convenience, owing to the nearness of the Sabbath. The meaning must rather be that, owing to this nearness, the embalming had been more readily left in that unfinished state of which we read in the other Evangelists. The proximity of the tomb to the city has little bearing on the former, it has a distinct bearing on the latter point. It is unnecessary to say more on the question of the Preparation-day of the Jews. There is only one simple and natural meaning of the words. It was now Friday afternoon; the Sabbath was at hand; the hours of that part of the Friday devoted to preparation for the Sabbath had set in. It was desirable, therefore, that the work of embalming the body should for the present be brought to a close. The reader cannot fail to be struck with the touching pathos lent to the whole sentence by making it close with the words laid they Jesus.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 42
Preparation-day; that is, for the Sabbath.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
John implied that the burial of Jesus was hasty. Mark and Luke presented the same picture by writing that three of the women came to anoint Jesus’ corpse, on Sunday morning, with additional spices that they had prepared (Mar 16:1; Luk 23:56). Joseph and Nicodemus’ work had necessarily been swift because the day of preparation before the Sabbath (i.e., Friday) was about to end with sundown.
John did not mention the fact that some of the women visited Jesus’ tomb late Friday afternoon (cf. Mat 27:61-66; Mar 15:47; Luk 23:55-56). He also omitted that Joseph rolled a stone over the mouth of the tomb (Mat 27:60; Mar 15:46). What follows in chapter 20 assumes these facts. John did not mention either that Pilate sealed the tomb and posted soldiers to guard it (Mat 27:62-66).
"While we now recognize that all four Evangelists are theologians in their own right, the Fourth Evangelist has labored more than all to bring to the clear light of day the theological significance of the passion narrative handed on to the churches." [Note: Beasley-Murray, p. 361.]