John 19:40

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.

Then {G3767} took they {G2983} the body {G4983} of Jesus {G2424}, and {G2532} wound {G1210} it {G846} in linen clothes {G3608} with {G3326} the spices {G759}, as {G2531} the manner {G1485} of the Jews {G2453} is {G2076} to bury {G1779}.

They took Yeshua’s body and wrapped it up in linen sheets with the spices, in keeping with Judean burial practice.

So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.

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

Commentary

John 19:40 describes the somber yet deeply significant moment immediately following Jesus' crucifixion, focusing on the preparation of His body for burial. This verse details the loving and respectful actions of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two prominent but previously secret disciples who now openly honored Jesus in His death.

Context

After Jesus' death on the cross, the Jewish authorities, concerned about the approaching Sabbath (which began at sundown on Friday), requested that the bodies be removed (John 19:31). Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man and a secret disciple, boldly asked Pilate for Jesus' body (John 19:38). He was joined by Nicodemus, who had previously visited Jesus by night (John 3:1-2) and now brought a lavish amount of myrrh and aloes for the burial (John 19:39). This verse details their joint effort to prepare Jesus' body according to traditional Jewish burial customs.

Key Themes

  • Reverence and Respect: Despite Jesus' public condemnation and ignominious death, His body was treated with immense care and reverence by these two faithful men. Their actions demonstrate profound devotion and courage in the face of immense risk.
  • Jewish Burial Customs: The phrase "as the manner of the Jews is to bury" highlights the adherence to traditional practices. This involved washing the body, anointing it with spices (often a mixture of myrrh and aloes to reduce odor and as a sign of respect, not for mummification), and wrapping it tightly in strips of linen cloth.
  • Preparation for Resurrection: The meticulous preparation, including the significant amount of spices mentioned in the preceding verse, sets the stage for the miraculous discovery of the empty tomb and Jesus' resurrection. The wrappings and spices would later provide further evidence of the resurrection, as they were found undisturbed yet empty of the body.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This burial, carried out by a rich man (Joseph of Arimathea) and involving costly spices, aligns with prophecies concerning the Messiah's burial, such as Isaiah 53:9: "And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death..."

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "linen clothes" is othoniois (ὀθονίοις), which refers specifically to linen strips or bandages, distinct from a single large sheet. This detail is significant as it helps explain the scene in the empty tomb where Peter and John later observe the linen cloths lying there, but the napkin that was about his head folded by itself (John 20:6-7).
  • The "spices" (Greek: aromaton - ἀρωμάτων) were aromatic substances, likely a blend of myrrh and aloes as specified in John 19:39. These were used not for embalming in the Egyptian sense, but as part of the Jewish burial rites to honor the deceased and to help mitigate the smell of decay.

Practical Application

John 19:40 reminds us that even in death, Jesus was honored and treated with dignity by those who loved Him. It highlights the quiet courage of individuals like Joseph and Nicodemus, who moved from secret discipleship to open acts of devotion when it mattered most. Their actions underscore the truth of Jesus' humanity and the reality of His death, which is foundational to the Christian faith. Moreover, the careful preparation of the body, including the specific wrappings and spices, serves as crucial evidence that points toward the astounding miracle of Jesus' resurrection, the ultimate victory over death.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 11:44

    And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

  • Acts 5:6

    And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried [him] out, and buried [him].

  • John 20:5

    And he stooping down, [and looking in], saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

  • John 20:7

    And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

  • Matthew 26:12

    For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did [it] for my burial.

  • Luke 24:12

    Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
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