19:31 day of Preparation. See note on v. 14.

bodies would not remain on the cross. This would ceremonially defile the land (Deut. 21:23). It is a starkly revealing example of their depraved insensitivity that they joined forces to commit murder and at the same time were so punctilious about enforcing the ceremonial law.

legs . . . broken. Breathing was so difficult in crucifixion that if the legs could not help by lifting the torso, a person would quickly die.