ris3n's Apologetics Codex

Passage

John 19.33-35

Book: John · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

Immediate context (±2 verses)

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ASV (ASV)

"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. 32. The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him:"

"33. but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34. howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water. 35. And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe."

"36. For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced." (John 19:31-37, ASV)

WEB (WEB)

"31. Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32. Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him;"

"33. but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they didn’t break his legs. 34. However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35. He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe."

"36. For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.” 37. Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”" (John 19:31-37, WEB)

KJV (KJV)

"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. 32. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him."

"33. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34. But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe."

"36. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced." (John 19:31-37, KJV)

YLT (YLT)

"31. The Jews, therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, since it was the preparation, (for that sabbath day was a great one,) asked of Pilate that their legs may be broken, and they taken away. 32. The soldiers, therefore, came, and of the first indeed they did break the legs, and of the other who was crucified with him,"

"33. and having come to Jesus, when they saw him already having been dead, they did not break his legs; 34. but one of the soldiers with a spear did pierce his side, and immediately there came forth blood and water; 35. and he who hath seen hath testified, and his testimony is true, and that one hath known that true things he speaketh, that ye also may believe."

"36. For these things came to pass, that the Writing may be fulfilled, 'A bone of him shall not be broken;' 37. and again another Writing saith, 'They shall look to him whom they did pierce.'" (John 19:31-37, YLT)

Setting

  • Speaker: John the Apostle (traditionally) / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching
  • Audience: later Christian audience (high-Christological emphasis; against early gnosticism)
  • Location: first-century Palestine (events); possibly Ephesus (composition)
  • Time period: events c. 26-33 AD (3-Passover chronology); composed c. AD 85-95

Theological reading

Key words

Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the most literal English translations available (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the public domain in the United States, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

  • ASV (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
  • WEB (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
  • KJV (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
  • YLT (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See Bibles for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.