John 19:31. (For that sabbath-day was an high day,)— It was not only a sabbath, but the second day of the feast of unleavened bread, from whence they reckoned the weeks to Pentecost, and also the day for presenting and offering the sheaf of new corn; so that it was indeed a treble solemnity. The Jews style a feast, or the day of solemn assembly in any feast, a high, or great day. It was customary among the Romans to let the bodies of persons who had been executed, continue on the crosses or stakes till they were devoured by beasts of prey; but as this was forbidden to the Jews, Deuteronomy 21:22-23 the Roman governors probably used to oblige them, by permitting such bodies as belonged to them to be buried.
Related Commentaries of John 19:31
John 19:31
31 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.