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.
The Jews therefore - meaning, as usual in this Gospel, the riders of the Jews,
Because it was the preparation - that is, "the day before the Sabbath" (Mark 15:42), or our Friday,
That the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day - which, beginning at six in the evening, must have been close at hand. Indeed, Luke (Luke 23:54) says, "the Sabbath drew on" х epefoosken (G2020)] - literally, 'was dawning,' like the morning. There was a remarkable command of the Mosaic law, which required that the body of one hanged on a tree for any sin worthy of death should not remain all night upon the tree, but should in any wise be buried that day; "(for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled" (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). These punctilious rulers were afraid of the land being defiled by the body of the Holy One of God being allowed to remain over night upon the cross; but they had no sense of that deeper defilement which they had already contracted by having His blood upon themselves.
(For that sabbath day was an high day), х megalee (G3173)] - or 'a great day;' as being the first Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the most sacred season of the whole Jewish ecclesiastical year. This made those hypocrites the more afraid lest the Sabbath hour should arrive before the bodies were removed.
Besought Pilate that their legs might be broken - to hasten their death. It was usually done with clubs.
And that they might be taken away - that is, taken down from the cross and removed.