JOHN—NOTE ON John 19:31 On the day of Preparation, see note on v. 14. That Sabbath was a high day (that is, a special Sabbath) because it was the Sabbath of Passover week. The Jews’ request was based on Deuteronomy 21:22 (compare Joshua 8:29). Bodies of hanged criminals were not to defile the land by remaining on a tree overnight. legs might be broken. The Romans typically left decaying bodies on crosses long after death (see note on Matt. 27:35). However, on certain ceremonial occasions, they could take the bodies down early. If a person’s legs were broken, he could not push himself up to be able to breathe more easily, thus speeding up his death.

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