John Calvin Commentary John 19:31

"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." — John 19:31 (ASV)

For it was the preparation. This narrative also serves to build up our faith: first, because it shows that what had been foretold in the Scriptures is fulfilled in the person of Christ; and second, because it contains a mystery of no ordinary value.

The Evangelist says that the Jews entreated that the bodies might be taken down from the crosses. This had undoubtedly been commanded by the Law of God. However, the Jews, as is usual with hypocrites, direct their whole attention to small matters, yet pass by the greatest crimes without any hesitation.

For instance, to strictly observe their Sabbath, they are careful to avoid outward pollution, and yet they do not consider what a shocking crime it is to take away the life of an innocent man. Thus, we saw a little earlier that they did not enter into the governor’s hall, that they might not be defiled (John 18:28), while the whole country was polluted by their wickedness.

Yet, through their actions, the Lord brings about what was most important for our salvation: that, by a wonderful arrangement, the body of Christ remains uninjured, and blood and water flow out of his side.

Regarding the phrase And it was the great day of that Sabbath, another reading more generally approved is, and that Sabbath-day was great. However, the reading I have adopted is supported by many ancient and authoritative manuscripts. Let the reader choose for himself.

If we read ἐκείνου in the genitive case (ἐκείνου τοῦ σαββάτου, meaning "of that Sabbath"), the word "Sabbath" must be understood to denote the week, as if the Evangelist had said that the festival of that week was very solemn because of the Passover. Note that the Evangelist is speaking of the following day, which began at sunset.

But if we choose instead to read ἐκείνη in the nominative case (ἦν γὰρ μεγάλη ἡ ἡμέρα ἐκείνη τοῦ σαββάτου, meaning That was the great day of the Sabbath), the meaning will be nearly the same in substance. The only difference in the words would be that the Passover, which was to take place on the following day, would render that Sabbath more solemn.