John 19:41
ESV
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.
NIV
At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.
NASB
Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.
CSB
There was a garden in the place where he was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it.
NLT
The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before.
KJV
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
NKJV
Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.
What does John 19:41 mean?
Joseph of Arimathea is a rich member of the Jewish religious council, and a secret follower of Jesus (John 19:38). He and Nicodemus, another important man (John 3:1–2) have worked to quickly bury Jesus before the onset of a Sabbath (John 19:31).Scholars cannot positively identify where Jesus was crucified and buried. All we know about the location referred to as Golgotha (John 19:17) is that it was just outside the city and near a major roadway (John 19:20). Most likely, this is a deliberate omission. Humanity has a tragic habit of turning souvenirs into objects of worship (2 Kings 18:4). Sites traditionally associated with Jesus' life are already revered, despite there being no hard evidence or Scriptural support. The fact that Jesus' burial site is technically unknown might be an intentional step on God's part.
Jesus was notably poor during His active ministry (Matthew 8:20). A garden tomb cut out of rock (Luke 23:53), with a secure door (Luke 24:2) was an extravagant luxury. The crypt is borrowed from Joseph (Matthew 27:60). That Jesus is penniless in life, but buried with the rich, fulfills another prophecy from the Old Testament (Isaiah 53:9). That the tomb is easy to guard (Matthew 27:62–66) will add to the miraculous nature of Jesus' eventual resurrection (John 20:1).
