John 19 40

John 19:40 kjv

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.

John 19:40 nkjv

Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

John 19:40 niv

Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

John 19:40 esv

So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

John 19:40 nlt

Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus' body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.

John 19 verses

John 19 40 Meaning

John 19:40 describes the respectful and traditional preparation of Jesus's body for burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus following His crucifixion. They wrapped His deceased physical form in numerous linen strips along with a significant quantity of aromatic spices, strictly observing the customary Jewish burial practices. This meticulous account serves to underscore the undeniable reality of Jesus's physical death and proper interment, which is a vital prerequisite for understanding and believing in His subsequent bodily resurrection.

John 19 40 Context

John chapter 19 vividly describes the climactic events leading to Jesus's death, beginning with His trial before Pilate, His scourging, and ultimately His crucifixion. The narrative details His final words and His giving up of His spirit, followed by the piercing of His side, which confirms His death. This verse immediately follows Joseph of Arimathea courageously requesting Jesus's body from Pilate and Nicodemus arriving with a lavish amount of myrrh and aloes (John 19:38-39). The entire sequence highlights the swift action taken before the Sabbath began at sunset, mandating an immediate burial according to Jewish law.

Historically, Jewish burial customs mandated rapid burial, often within a day, especially for those executed or who died violently, to avoid defilement (Deut 21:22-23). The process typically involved washing the body, anointing it with fragrant oils or spices, and wrapping it in linen cloths. Unlike Egyptian embalming, Jewish practice did not involve evisceration or mummification but rather respectful preparation for swift internment in a rock-hewn tomb or grave. The considerable quantity of spices brought by Nicodemus, equivalent to royalty's preparation, underlines the extraordinary honor and profound respect secretly given to Jesus's body, contrasting sharply with the shame of His crucifixion.

John 19 40 Word analysis

• Then took they: (Greek: ἔλαβον - elabon) Implies Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (from Jn 19:38-39). This active verb denotes a deliberate, reverent act of claiming and handling the body, showcasing their newfound boldness in discipleship, even risking defilement and social repercussions.
• the body: (Greek: τὸ σῶμα - to sōma) Explicitly refers to Jesus's deceased physical form, emphasizing the concrete, corporeal reality of His death. This fact is foundational for asserting the reality of His later bodily resurrection, refuting any idea of a mere spiritual or illusory death.
• of Jesus: Identifies the unique and central person involved in this event, anchoring the burial directly to the Christ.
• and wound it: (Greek: καὶ ἔδησαν αὐτὸ - kai edēsan auto) "Wound" or "bound" indicates a careful and intentional wrapping or tying. The verb δέω (deō) specifically implies binding with strips or bandages, not merely laying a single sheet over. This signifies a meticulous preparation process.
• in linen clothes: (Greek: ὀθονίοις - othoniois) The use of the plural, meaning "linen strips" or "bandages," is a highly significant detail. These were not a single large shroud but long pieces of linen used to wrap the body and keep the spices close. Their later discovery in the empty tomb, still lying flat and intact, plays a crucial role in the resurrection narrative (Jn 20:5-7).
• with the spices: (Greek: μετὰ τῶν ἀρωμάτων - meta tōn arōmatōn) Refers to the myrrh and aloes from John 19:39, provided in an immense quantity (approximately 75 pounds). These aromatic resins and powders were used to anoint the body, signifying great honor and perhaps to mitigate decomposition odors, rather than for permanent preservation like Egyptian mummification. The vast amount underscores Jesus's identity as a King and worthy of the highest honor.
• as the manner: (Greek: καθὼς ἔθος - kathōs ethos) This phrase explains that the method of preparation adhered to established customs and traditional practices.
• of the Jews is: (Greek: ἐστὶν τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις - estin tois Ioudaiois) Confirms that the specific procedure described was a recognized and observed ritual within Jewish culture, verifying the historical authenticity of Jesus's burial in accordance with local tradition.
• to bury: (Greek: θάπτειν - thaptein) The ultimate purpose of this elaborate preparation, signifying the proper interment of the body in a grave or tomb.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then took they the body of Jesus": This phrase highlights the courageous and loving act of two influential, yet previously secret, disciples. Their action confirms the physical death of Jesus and sets in motion His proper burial, fulfilling prophetic expectations that He would be buried with the rich and respected (Isa 53:9), despite the ignominy of His execution.
• "and wound it in linen clothes with the spices": This descriptive passage emphasizes the careful, intimate process of preparing the body according to cultural norms. The "linen clothes" (strips) and abundant "spices" not only demonstrate profound veneration but also lay the groundwork for a unique feature of the empty tomb — the finding of the grave clothes in an undisturbed state, a powerful testimony to the resurrection.
• "as the manner of the Jews is to bury": This concluding phrase grounds the entire event firmly in its historical and cultural context. It affirms that Jesus received a traditional, respectful Jewish burial, despite being a condemned criminal, solidifying the reality of His death and preventing any doubt that His burial was not a recognized, historical event.

John 19 40 Bonus section

The extravagance of the spices, 100 Roman pounds (approx. 75 U.S. pounds or 34 kilograms), signifies not merely preservation but deep, solemn homage. This amount would have been enormously expensive, potentially more than a laborer's annual wages, testifying to the wealth and unwavering faith of Nicodemus. This specific act of elaborate preparation serves a double purpose in John's narrative: it unequivocally proves the physical death of Jesus, and it sets up a precise detail for the resurrection account (John 20:5-7) that refutes common explanations like body snatching. A stolen body would logically mean stolen or discarded clothes, not neatly collapsed grave wraps. Thus, the condition of the othoniois becomes a quiet but profound witness to Christ's unique bodily departure.

John 19 40 Commentary

John 19:40 meticulously details the reverence accorded to Jesus's body even in death, setting the scene for His imminent resurrection. The "linen clothes" were not a single shroud but distinct strips that held a staggering 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes—a quantity typically reserved for royalty or a burial of immense honor, highlighting the significant social standing of Joseph and Nicodemus and their profound, albeit once secret, devotion. This rich burial directly fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy (Isa 53:9) about the Servant of the Lord. Critically, the use of multiple linen strips and the way they would later be found—undisturbed, but empty of the body—serves as unique evidence of the resurrection. Jesus did not just leave the tomb; He passed through His burial wraps, leaving them intact but collapsed, a stark contrast to a theft or reanimation. This verse, therefore, acts as an essential bridge, cementing the reality of Jesus's death and burial, making His subsequent bodily resurrection all the more powerful and undeniable.