YHN 19:31 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Now because it was the preparation day[ref] for the coming Rest Day, the Jews didn’t want the bodies to remain on the stakes after dusk (because it was even a special Rest Day.) So they asked Pilate to command for their legs to be broken to hasten their deaths and then they could be taken down sooner.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Then the Jews, because it was a day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was an especially important day), asked Pilate that their legs would be broken and they would be taken away.

UST The Jewish leaders then asked Pilate to order his soldiers to break the legs of the three men on crosses so that the men would die more quickly and take away their bodies in order that the bodies would not remain on the crosses during the Jewish day for rest. They asked this because it was the day when the Jewish people prepared for the Passover celebration and the day for rest, and leaving dead bodies on crosses during those days violated Jewish law. (Since the next day was also the day for rest, it was a very important day.)

MSB It was [the] day of Preparation, [and] [the next] day was a High Sabbath. In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and [the bodies] removed.

BLB Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation, so that bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath--for that Sabbath was a high day--asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and they might be taken away.

AICNT So the Jews, since it was the day of Preparation, in order not to leave the bodies on the cross during the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a great day), asked Pilate to have their legs broken and removed.

OEB It was the Preparation day, and so, to prevent the bodies from remaining on the crosses during the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a great day), the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed.

WEBBE Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.

WMBB Therefore the Judeans, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.

NET Then, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies should not stay on the crosses on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was an especially important one), the Jewish leaders asked Pilate to have the victims’ legs broken and the bodies taken down.

LSV The Jews, therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the Sabbath, since it was the Preparation (for that Sabbath day was a great one), asked of Pilate that their legs may be broken, and they [are] taken away.

FBV It was preparation day, and the Jewish leaders didn't want to leave the bodies on the crosses during the Sabbath day (in fact this was a special Sabbath), so they asked Pilate to break the legs, so that the bodies could be removed.

TCNT Since it was the day of Preparation (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate to have the men's legs broken and their bodies taken away, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath.

T4T That was the day that they prepared everything for their ◄Sabbath/day of rest►. The next day was a special day of rest, because it was the day of rest during the Passover celebration. The Jewish leaders [SYN] did not want the bodies of the three men to remain on the cross during their ◄Sabbath/day of rest► because leaving bodies hanging overnight would be contrary to their Jewish laws. So they went to Pilate and asked him to command that the legs of the three men on the crosses be broken {the soldiers to break the legs of the three men on the crosses}, so that they would die quickly. Then their bodies could be taken down and buried {someone could take down their bodies and bury them}.

LEB Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was an important day), asked Pilate that their legs could be broken and they could be taken away.

BBE Now it was the day of getting ready for the Passover, and so that the bodies might not be on the cross on the Sabbath (because the day of that Sabbath was a great day), the Jews made a request to Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Moff As it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies remaining on the cross during the sabbath (for that sabbath-day was a great day), the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed.

Wymth Meanwhile the Jews, because it was the day of Preparation for the Passover, and in order that the bodies might not remain on the crosses during the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was one of special solemnity), requested Pilate to have the legs of the dying men broken, and the bodies removed.

ASV The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

DRA Then the Jews, (because it was the parasceve,) that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath day, (for that was a great sabbath day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

YLT The Jews, therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, since it was the preparation, (for that sabbath day was a great one,) asked of Pilate that their legs may be broken, and they taken away.

Drby The Jews therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for it was [the] preparation, (for the day of that sabbath was a great [day],) demanded of Pilate that their legs might be broken and they taken away.

RV The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

SLT Then the Jews, that the bodies remain not upon the cross in the sabbath, since it was the preparation, (for great was the day of that sabbath,) asked Pilate that their legs be broken, and they be taken away.

Wbstr The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath, (for that sabbath was a great day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

KJB-1769 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

KJB-1611 The Iewes therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remaine vpon the Crosse on the Sabbath day (for that Sabbath day was an high day) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps The Iewes therefore, because it was the preparyng of the Sabboth that the bodyes should not remaine vpo ye crosse on the Sabboth day (for that Sabboth day, was an hye day) besought Pilate that their legges myght be broken, and that they myght be taken downe.
(The Yews therefore, because it was the preparing of the Sabbath that the bodies should not remain upon ye/you_all cross on the Sabbath day (for that Sabbath day, was an high day) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken down.)

Gnva The Iewes then (because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remaine vpon the crosse on the Sabbath day: for that Sabbath was an hie day) besought Pilate that their legges might be broken, and that they might be taken downe.
(The Yews then (because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day: for that Sabbath was an high day) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken down. )

Cvdl The Iewes then, for so moch as it was the daye of preparinge, that ye bodies shulde not remayne vpon the crosse on the Sabbath, (for ye same Sabbath daye was greate) besought Pilate, that their legges might be broken, and that they might be taken downe.
(The Yews then, for so much as it was the day of preparing, that ye/you_all bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath, (for ye/you_all same Sabbath day was greate) besought Pilate, that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken down.)

TNT The Iewes then because it was the saboth even that the bodyes shuld not remayne apon the crosse on the saboth daye (for that saboth daye was an hye daye) besought Pylate that their legges myght be broken and that they myght be taken doune.
(The Yews then because it was the sabbath even that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day (for that sabbath day was an high daye) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken doune. )

Wycl Therfor for it was the pask eue, that the bodies schulden not abide on the cros in the sabat, for that was a greet sabat dai, the Jewis preiden Pilat, that the hipis of hem schulden be brokun, and thei takun awei.
(Therefore for it was the passover eue, that the bodies should not abide on the cross in the sabbath, for that was a great sabbath day, the Yews praying Pilat, that the hips of hem should be broken, and they taken away.)

Luth Die Juden aber; dieweil es der Rüsttag war daß nicht die Leichname am Kreuz blieben den Sabbat über (denn desselbigen Sabbats Tag war groß), baten sie Pilatus; daß ihre Beine gebrochen, und sie abgenommen würden.
(The Yews but; meanwhile it the/of_the Rüsttag what/which that not the corpse in/at/on_the cross(n) remained the sabbath above (because/than of_the_same sabbaths day what/which large), asked they/she/them Pilatus; that their/her legs broken, and they/she/them abgenommen would.)

ClVg Judæi ergo (quoniam parasceve erat) ut non remanerent in cruce corpora sabbato (erat enim magnus dies ille sabbati), rogaverunt Pilatum ut frangerentur eorum crura, et tollerentur.
(Jews therefore (quoniam parasceve was) as not/no remanerent in/into/on stake/cross bodies on_the_sabbath (was because big days he/that_one sabbath), rogaverunt Pilatum as frangerentur their legs, and they_would_take_awayur. )

UGNT οἱ οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι, ἐπεὶ παρασκευὴ ἦν, ἵνα μὴ μείνῃ ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τὰ σώματα ἐν τῷ Σαββάτῳ (ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ Σαββάτου), ἠρώτησαν τὸν Πειλᾶτον, ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τὰ σκέλη, καὶ ἀρθῶσιν.
(hoi oun Youdaioi, epei paraskeuaʸ aʸn, hina maʸ meinaʸ epi tou staurou ta sōmata en tōi Sabbatōi (aʸn gar megalaʸ haʸ haʸmera ekeinou tou Sabbatou), aʸrōtaʸsan ton Peilaton, hina kateagōsin autōn ta skelaʸ, kai arthōsin.)

SBL-GNT Οἱ οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι, ⸂ἐπεὶ παρασκευὴ ἦν, ἵνα μὴ μείνῃ ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τὰ σώματα ἐν τῷ σαββάτῳ⸃, ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ σαββάτου, ἠρώτησαν τὸν Πιλᾶτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τὰ σκέλη καὶ ἀρθῶσιν.
(Hoi oun Youdaioi, ⸂epei paraskeuaʸ aʸn, hina maʸ meinaʸ epi tou staurou ta sōmata en tōi sabbatōi⸃, aʸn gar megalaʸ haʸ haʸmera ekeinou tou sabbatou, aʸrōtaʸsan ton Pilaton hina kateagōsin autōn ta skelaʸ kai arthōsin.)

RP-GNT Οἱ οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι, ἵνα μὴ μείνῃ ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τὰ σώματα ἐν τῷ σαββάτῳ, ἐπεὶ Παρασκευὴ ἦν - ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ σαββάτου - ἠρώτησαν τὸν Πιλάτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τὰ σκέλη, καὶ ἀρθῶσιν.
(Hoi oun Youdaioi, hina maʸ meinaʸ epi tou staurou ta sōmata en tōi sabbatōi, epei Paraskeuaʸ aʸn - aʸn gar megalaʸ haʸ haʸmera ekeinou tou sabbatou - aʸrōtaʸsan ton Pilaton hina kateagōsin autōn ta skelaʸ, kai arthōsin.)

TC-GNT Οἱ οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι, [fn]ἵνα μὴ μείνῃ ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τὰ σώματα ἐν τῷ σαββάτῳ, ἐπεὶ Παρασκευὴ ἦν—ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ σαββάτου—ἠρώτησαν τὸν [fn]Πιλάτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τὰ σκέλη, καὶ ἀρθῶσιν.
(Hoi oun Youdaioi, hina maʸ meinaʸ epi tou staurou ta sōmata en tōi sabbatōi, epei Paraskeuaʸ aʸn—aʸn gar megalaʸ haʸ haʸmera ekeinou tou sabbatou—aʸrōtaʸsan ton Pilaton hina kateagōsin autōn ta skelaʸ, kai arthōsin. )

19:31 ινα … σαββατω επει παρασκευη ην ¦ επει παρασκευη ην ινα … σαββατω CT SCR

19:31 πιλατον ¦ πειλατον TH WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 19:31–37: A soldier put a spear in Jesus’ side

This section tells how the soldiers saw that Jesus was dead. The Jewish leaders did not want to leave the bodies of the three men on the crosses after sunset. The Sabbath started at sunset and this was a special Sabbath, so the bodies should be buried before then. So they asked Pilate to order his soldiers to break the men’s legs to make them die more quickly.

The soldiers broke the legs of the other two men. However, they saw that Jesus was already dead, so they did not have to break his legs. Instead a soldier pierced his side with a spear and blood and water flowed out. Those events fulfilled Old Testament scripture.

Here are other possible titles for this section:

The soldiers do not break Jesus’ legs

The soldiers confirm that Jesus was dead

Evidence that Jesus died

19:31a–e

19:31 is long and complex, and includes a great deal of implicit information about Jewish customs. For a suggestion of a way to rearrange this verse, see the General Comment following 19:31e.

In some languages it may be natural to translate this as two or more sentences. For example:

It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was the Passover). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. (NLT)

Since it was Friday and the next day was an especially important day of worship, the Jews didn’t want the bodies to stay on the crosses. So they asked Pilate to have the men’s legs broken and their bodies removed. (GW)

It was the day that the Jews prepared for the Sabbath, their day of worship. And the next day was a very important Sabbath. So the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies to stay on the crosses after the Sabbath began at sunset. So they asked Pilate to order the soldiers to break the men’s legs and remove their bodies.

19:31a

It was the day of Preparation,

¶ It was the day when the Jewish people prepared for the Sabbath,
¶ Because it was Friday,

The Greek begins this verse with a connector that means “because.” It indicates that this clause is the cause of the following clause. The Jews did not want Jesus’ body left on the cross because it was the day before the Sabbath. For example:

because it was the day of preparation (NET)

the day of Preparation: This phrase refers to Friday. This was the day that the Jews prepared for the Sabbath, their day of rest. Because the Jewish day began at sunset, the Sabbath would begin at sunset on Friday. See how you translated this phrase in 19:14. For example:

Friday (GW)

Friday, the day of preparation for the Sabbath

the day when the Jewish people prepared for their holy/rest day

19:31b

and the next day was a High Sabbath.

and this Sabbath was a particularly important one.
and the next day would be the high/holy Sabbath during the Death-Passed-Over-Us celebration,
and the next day was a very important day of worship,

and the next day was a High Sabbath: The next day was one of the most important Sabbaths of the year because it was during Passover week. All Sabbaths were considered holy, set apart to show honor, but this one particularly deserved honor. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and the next day was an especially important day of worship (GW)

and the next day was to be a special Sabbath (NIV)

the coming Sabbath was especially holy (GNT)

and: The Greek word that the BSB translates as and is more literally “because.” It introduces an additional, greater reason why the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses. Not only was the next day a Sabbath, but it was also a special Sabbath.

a High Sabbath: The Greek word that the BSB translates as High means “great” or “important.” It was important because it came during Passover week. Use a word or phrase that indicates a religious holiday is particularly important. For example:

that sabbath was a day of great solemnity (NRSV)

for that Sabbath was an especially important one (NET)

a special Sabbath (NIV)

a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week (NLT)

the coming Sabbath was especially holy (GNT)

19:31c

In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath,

And the Jewish leaders did not want the people hanging there during the Sabbath their worship day,
the Jewish leaders wanted the men to die quickly so that they could take the bodies off the crosses before the Sabbath began at sunset.

In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath: The Jewish leaders wanted the crucified men to die on Friday so that they could take them off the crosses before the Sabbath began. In Jewish thinking, the Sabbath day begin at sunset on Friday evening.

Here are some other ways to translate 19:31b:

the Jews did not want the bodies to stay on the cross on the Sabbath day, (NCV)

the Jews wanted to avoid the bodies being left on the crosses over the Sabbath (JBP)

the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (NLT)

the bodies would not remain on the cross: The Greek verb that the BSB translates literally as remain indicates that the Jews did not want the bodies to remain hanging on the crosses during the Sabbath. For example:

the bodies to stay on the cross (NCV)

on the cross: There were three crosses, with one man on each cross. In some languages it may be natural to make that clear. For example:

on the crosses (GNT)

the Sabbath: The Jewish Sabbath was Saturday. It was their day of rest and worship. It began at sunset the evening before, Friday evening, and lasted until sunset on Saturday. See how you translated the word Sabbath in John 5:9–10.

19:31d

the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken

so they asked Pilate to tell the soldiers to break the men’s legs
So they asked Pilate to order the soldiers to break the men’s legs so they would die quickly

the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken: People who were crucified needed to push up on the nails that held their legs to be able to breathe. If soldiers broke their legs, they could not push up on the nails to breathe, so then they died quickly. The Jewish leaders wanted Pilate to order the soldiers to break the crucified men’s legs. That way the bodies could be taken down before sunset, when the Sabbath day began. In some languages it may be natural to make explicit that they broke their legs in order to hasten (hurry) their death. For example:

So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. (NLT)

the Jews asked Pilate: The Romans usually left people on the cross until they died. Sometimes that took two or three days. So the Jews asked Pilate to tell the soldiers to break the crucified men’s legs. If they did that, the men would die quickly.

the Jews: This phrase here refers to the leaders of the Jews. For example:

the Jewish authorities (GNT)

the Jewish leaders (NET)

to have the legs broken: The Jewish leaders wanted Pilate to command the soldiers to break the legs of the dying men. Roman soldiers broke legs by hitting the lower part of the legs with a heavy iron mallet (large hammer or club). So use the term in your language that would include breaking something by hitting it. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

to allow them to break the legs of the men who had been crucified (GNT)

to order that the legs of the men be broken (NCV)

to have the legs broken: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as to have the legs broken is “that their legs might be broken,” which is passive. It does not indicate who would break the men’s legs, but it implies that it was the soldiers. The English word have indicates that the Jewish leaders asked Pilate to order his soldiers to do this. There are at least two ways to translate this verb:

Use a passive verb. For example:
that their legs might be broken (ESV)
ordering that their legs be broken (NLT)
Use an active verb. For example:
to break the men’s legs (CEV)
to order the soldiers to break the men’s legs

the legs: Use a term that includes the knees and lower part of the legs.

19:31e

and the bodies removed.

and to tell someone to remove the bodies.
and they/someone could take the bodies off the crosses.

and the bodies removed: This phrase indicates the second thing that the Jewish leaders asked Pilate. They asked Pilate to order the bodies removed from the crosses. Where the soldiers would remove the men’s bodies from is implied. In some languages you may need to make that information explicit. For example:

and remove their bodies from the crosses

and take their bodies down from there

The Greek verb that the BSB translates as removed here is passive. It is not stated who would remove the bodies. Perhaps they expected the soldiers to do it, but perhaps not, so it is good to leave this ambiguous. There are at least two ways to translate this verb:

Use a passive verb. For example:
and the bodies taken away (NJB)
Use an active verb. For example:
and take their bodies down (CEV)

the bodies: In many languages there is a special word for the body of a dead person. You may want to use a term like that here. For example:

the corpses

General Comment on 19:31d–e

In some languages it may be natural to translate the request of the Jewish leaders using direct speech. For example:

The Jewish leaders said to Pilate, “Please allow the legs of the men to be broken and their bodies removed from their crosses.”

General Comment on 19:31 a-e

In some languages it is more natural to rearrange this verse so that 19:31d–e comes before 19:31a–c. For example:

^31dThen the Jewish authorities asked Pilate to allow them to break the legs of the men who had been crucified, ^31eand to take the bodies down from the crosses. ^31aThey requested this because it was Friday, ^31band they did not want the bodies to stay on the crosses on the Sabbath, ^31csince the coming Sabbath was especially holy. (GNT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

οἱ οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι, ἐπεὶ παρασκευὴ ἦν, ἵνα μὴ μείνῃ ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τὰ σώματα ἐν τῷ Σαββάτῳ (ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ Σαββάτου), ἠρώτησαν τὸν Πειλᾶτον, ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τὰ σκέλη, καὶ ἀρθῶσιν

the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι ἐπεί παρασκευή ἦν ἵνα μή μείνῃ ἐπί τοῦ σταυροῦ τά σώματα ἐν τῷ Σαββάτῳ ἦν γάρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ Σαββάτου ἠρώτησαν τόν Πιλᾶτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τά σκέλη καί ἀρθῶσιν)

If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of these clauses. Alternate translation: [Then, because it was the day of preparation, the Jews asked Pilate that the men’s legs would be broken and they would be taken away, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was an especially important day)]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

οἱ & Ἰουδαῖοι

the & Jews

Here, the Jews refers to the Jewish leaders. See how you translated this term in [1:19](../01/19.md).

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

παρασκευὴ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι ἐπεί παρασκευή ἦν ἵνα μή μείνῃ ἐπί τοῦ σταυροῦ τά σώματα ἐν τῷ Σαββάτῳ ἦν γάρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ Σαββάτου ἠρώτησαν τόν Πιλᾶτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τά σκέλη καί ἀρθῶσιν)

Here, day of preparation refers to the day when the Jewish people prepared for both the Passover festival and the Sabbath. See how you translated a similar phrase in [19:14](../19/14.md). Alternate translation: [the day when the Jews prepared for both the Passover festival and the Sabbath]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἵνα μὴ μείνῃ ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ τὰ σώματα ἐν τῷ Σαββάτῳ

in_order_that that (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι ἐπεί παρασκευή ἦν ἵνα μή μείνῃ ἐπί τοῦ σταυροῦ τά σώματα ἐν τῷ Σαββάτῳ ἦν γάρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ Σαββάτου ἠρώτησαν τόν Πιλᾶτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τά σκέλη καί ἀρθῶσιν)

According to Jewish religious law, dead bodies could not remain on crosses during the Sabbath. Therefore, the Jewish leaders wanted Pilate to order his soldiers to execute the three men on crosses and remove their bodies before the Sabbath began at sundown. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [so that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, which the Jewish law forbids] or [so that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath and thereby violate Jewish law]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

ἐπὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ

John is speaking of the three crosses on which the men were hanging. He is not referring to one particular cross. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a more natural phrase. Alternate translation: [on the three crosses]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ Σαββάτου

˱it˲_was ˱it˲_was (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι ἐπεί παρασκευή ἦν ἵνα μή μείνῃ ἐπί τοῦ σταυροῦ τά σώματα ἐν τῷ Σαββάτῳ ἦν γάρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ Σαββάτου ἠρώτησαν τόν Πιλᾶτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τά σκέλη καί ἀρθῶσιν)

John notes that this Sabbath was an especially important day because it was the first day of the Passover celebratYou could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [for that Sabbath was especially important because it occurred during the Passover festival]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τὰ σκέλη, καὶ ἀρθῶσιν

in_order_that that ˓may_be˒_broken ˱of˲_them (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι ἐπεί παρασκευή ἦν ἵνα μή μείνῃ ἐπί τοῦ σταυροῦ τά σώματα ἐν τῷ Σαββάτῳ ἦν γάρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ Σαββάτου ἠρώτησαν τόν Πιλᾶτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τά σκέλη καί ἀρθῶσιν)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [to have someone break their legs and take them away]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τὰ σκέλη, καὶ ἀρθῶσιν

˓may_be˒_broken ˱of˲_them (Some words not found in SR-GNT: οἱ Οὖν Ἰουδαῖοι ἐπεί παρασκευή ἦν ἵνα μή μείνῃ ἐπί τοῦ σταυροῦ τά σώματα ἐν τῷ Σαββάτῳ ἦν γάρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνου τοῦ Σαββάτου ἠρώτησαν τόν Πιλᾶτον ἵνα κατεαγῶσιν αὐτῶν τά σκέλη καί ἀρθῶσιν)

The Jewish leaders wanted Pilate’s soldiers to break the legs of the men who were hanging on crosses because doing that would cause the men to die quickly. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [their legs would be broken so that they would die quickly and their bodies could be taken away]

Parallel YHN 19:31