John 19 41

John 19:41 kjv

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.

John 19:41 nkjv

Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.

John 19:41 niv

At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.

John 19:41 esv

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.

John 19:41 nlt

The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before.

John 19 verses

John 19 41 Meaning

John 19:41 precisely details the immediate location of Jesus' burial, highlighting key features: a garden near the crucifixion site and within it, a new tomb, unused by any before. This verse serves to underscore the uniqueness of Jesus' death and burial, pointing towards His distinct identity and the coming resurrection by establishing a clear and undeniable context for these events. It speaks to the fulfillment of prophecy and the care taken with His body by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, despite the public disgrace.

John 19 41 Context

John 19:41 immediately follows the account of Jesus' death on the cross and precedes the discovery of the empty tomb on resurrection morning. The scene is set on Golgotha, "the Place of a Skull," where Jesus was crucified. The verse then shifts to describe His burial location, orchestrated by Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin and a secret disciple, and Nicodemus, who had earlier visited Jesus by night. Their actions fulfill legal and cultural requirements for burial while demonstrating courage and reverence. The historical context includes the Roman practice of swift disposal or common burial for crucified criminals, making the detailed and dignified burial provided by Joseph and Nicodemus significant. Jewish law mandated burial before sundown on the day of death, especially when it preceded the Sabbath, which was fast approaching (v. 31). This particular detail—a new, unused tomb in a garden close to the crucifixion site—provides specific, verifiable information critical for affirming the subsequent resurrection.

John 19 41 Word analysis

• Now: (Greek: Oun - οὖν). Functions as a connector, indicating a logical or sequential progression. Here, it transitions from the description of the crucifixion to the burial details.
• in the place: (Greek: en tō topō - ἐν τῷ τόπῳ). Refers to the immediate vicinity of Golgotha. The location is significant, connecting Jesus' death directly to His resting place.
• where He was crucified: (Greek: hopou estaurōthē - ὅπου ἐσταυρώθη). Directly links the burial site to the scene of execution, ensuring there's no confusion about whose tomb this is or where the events transpired. This proximity aids witnesses.
• there was a garden: (Greek: kēpos - κῆπος). A small cultivated plot of ground. The presence of a garden adds symbolic weight:
  • Echoes Eden: Where sin and death entered humanity. Christ's resurrection in a garden symbolizes a reversal, new life arising where death once reigned.
  • Echoes Gethsemane: The garden where Jesus agonized and was arrested, completing His journey from submission to sacrificial death.
  • Ownership/Status: Gardens, especially those with tombs, were typically owned by the wealthy.
• and in the garden: (Greek: kai en tō kēpō - καὶ ἐν τῷ κήπῳ). Reinforces the location within the garden.
• a new tomb: (Greek: mnēmeion kainon - μνημεῖον καινόν).
  • New (kainon): Implies fresh, unused, of excellent quality, often recently hewn from rock. This is crucial as it signifies the tomb had no prior occupants. This ensures no ambiguity that Jesus was the first, and only, one laid there, eliminating confusion with any other body for resurrection claims.
  • Tomb (mnēmeion): A memorial or monument, a sepulchre. It suggests a structured, permanent burial place, typically rock-cut, reflecting the status of the owner (Joseph of Arimathea).
• in which: (Greek: en hō - ἐν ᾧ). Connects the descriptive clause to the tomb.
• no one: (Greek: oudepō oudeis - οὐδέπω οὐδείς). Emphatically "not yet anyone." This is a strong negative, ensuring absolute clarity.
• had yet been laid: (Greek: etethēliki - ἐτεθέλειτο). Refers to the act of laying a body for burial. The perfect passive tense emphasizes the state of never having been used. This fact makes the resurrection claim profoundly impactful: the specific individual who was buried in this pristine, singular tomb was now gone, having been the tomb’s sole occupant. It protects against accusations that another body might have been revived or mistakenly identified.

John 19 41 Bonus section

The care taken to record these precise details (garden, new tomb, unused) underscores John's interest in verifying the physical reality of Jesus' death and resurrection. It counters potential ancient skepticism or later theories that the body was re-interred elsewhere or mistaken for another. The Jewish burial custom of "firstfruits" might subtly be alluded to with the "new tomb" where Jesus was the first occupant, just as He is the "firstfruits" of those who sleep (1 Cor 15:20), indicating His resurrection sets the pattern for future resurrections. This tomb's "newness" also protects against ritual impurity arguments in a religiously sensitive era.

John 19 41 Commentary

John 19:41 serves as a precise cartographic and theological anchor for the pivotal events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection. The presence of a "garden" is not merely incidental but carries profound theological undertones, echoing both the Garden of Eden, where humanity fell into sin and death, and Gethsemane, where Christ submitted to the Father's will, paving the way for redemption. Thus, in a garden, the battle for humanity's eternal destiny reaches its ultimate resolution. The description of the tomb as "new" and "in which no one had yet been laid" is vital for its evidentiary value. This detail, shared across the synoptic Gospels, dispels any doubt or conspiracy theories that His body was removed from an occupied grave or that there was a misidentification. It testifies to the unique and singular burial of Jesus. The proximity to the crucifixion site also suggests the immediate fulfillment of Isa 53:9, where the Suffering Servant would be "with the rich at His death," as Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man, provided his own newly prepared tomb. The empty, pristine tomb found in this identified garden location would thus definitively signify the resurrection of the unique occupant.