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John 19:40

ESV So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
NIV Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
NASB So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
CSB They took Jesus's body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the fragrant spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews.
NLT Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.
KJV 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.

What does John 19:40 mean?

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are two members of the Jewish religious council (Luke 23:50–51; John 3:1–2) who are open to Christ's teachings. With little time to prepare (John 19:31), they work together to hastily bury Jesus. Fortunately, Joseph's own personal crypt is nearby (John 19:41). Nicodemus has brought along the proper burial spices (John 19:39) and Joseph arranged with the Roman governor to take Jesus' body (John 19:38).

Wrapping a corpse in cloth was a way to keep the balms in contact with the body and discourage flies and insects. When Lazarus was resurrected by Christ (John 11:43–44), he had to be untied from these grave cloths. In contrast, when Peter and John come to investigate this same tomb, the strips of cloth will be lying there, empty (John 20:1–8).

Jesus' earthly ministry did not involve great wealth. In fact, Jesus had very little in the way of possessions during His time of active teaching and preaching (Matthew 8:20). Joseph's burial site is lavish (Matthew 27:59), fulfilling yet another prophecy about Messiah's death (Isaiah 53:9).
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