Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. John 19:31-33
kit: Time Flies by DSS designers (2024 birthday gift)
Note:
The information that John included about the High Sabbath is important. Passover according to the Old Testament is on Aviv 14 (or Nisan 14), and the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is on Aviv 15 (or Nisan 15). The first day of Unleavened Bread is a High Day, which means it is to be observed as a Sabbath regardless of which day of the week it falls on. (Lev. 23:5-8) The reason it is especially significant this particular year is that it explains how there are two Sabbaths back to back – both from Thursday night to Friday night and from the usual Friday night to Saturday night. This prevented the body of Jesus from being disturbed before the three days AND three nights were completed, as He said. (Matt. 12:40)
So what this means is that “Good Friday” should really be “Good Thursday” and “Maundy Thursday” should be “Maundy Wednesday,” and “Palm Sunday” should be “Palm Friday.” (Remember, God referred to night as occurring first, then day in Genesis – so this would make Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the donkey during the daytime/second half of Friday, whereas the regular weekly Sabbath would begin that evening on our calendar system.)
