John 19:40 - So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

Generated Verse: John 19:40

What does "John 19:40" mean?


This verse describes the traditional Jewish burial process that was performed on Jesus' body after his crucifixion. Let's break it down:

"So they took Jesus’ body...": This refers to Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus, who had obtained permission from Pilate to take Jesus' body down from the cross (as described in previous verses).

"...and bound it in linen cloths...": Linen cloths were commonly used to wrap the bodies of the deceased in Jewish burial customs. This was not like a tightly wound mummy, but rather a wrapping or covering.

"...with the spices...": Spices and aromatic oils were also part of the burial ritual. They were used to anoint the body and to mask the odor of decomposition, as embalming was not practiced. Nicodemus is mentioned in the previous verse to have brought a large quantity of myrrh and aloes for this purpose.

"...as the custom of the Jews is to bury.": This emphasizes that they were following established Jewish burial practices. This is important because it helps to understand the context of the events following Jesus' death and resurrection. The Jewish custom of the time was not to leave a body unburied for long, especially not overnight.

In essence, the verse tells us that Jesus' body was respectfully prepared for burial according to the prevailing Jewish customs of the time. This involved wrapping the body in linen cloths and applying spices. It's a straightforward statement of fact, but it's important because it sets the stage for the events that follow, including the discovery of the empty tomb and the belief in Jesus' resurrection. It also highlights the reverence with which Jesus' followers treated his body.

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