John 19:39

John 19:39, in plain English

Nicodemus—the man who first came to Jesus at night—brings an enormous amount of burial spices, about seventy-five pounds. His hidden faith finally comes into the open.

Why it's here

Remember Nicodemus from John 3? He came to Jesus under cover of darkness. Now, after the cross, he steps into the light with a king's burial offering.

Who's speaking

John reintroduces Nicodemus at a pivotal moment.

Where it sits in the story

Nicodemus has come a long way from that secret nighttime visit. The man who once hid his interest in Jesus now publicly honors Him with a burial fit for a king.

The scholarly reading

Nicodemus, who first came to Jesus by night, brings an extravagant quantity of burial spices—about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes.

Language and setting

The quantity (litra hekaton, approximately 75 pounds) is royal in scale, befitting a king's burial. Nicodemus' progression from night visitor (John 3) to public defender (John 7:50-51) to burial participant shows a faith journey from secrecy to bold action.

Voice

The narrator describes Nicodemus' contribution.

Significance

Nicodemus completes his faith journey from nighttime inquirer to daylight disciple. His extravagant gift of burial spices—a king's portion—is a public confession of faith in the crucified Jesus.

37And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.”

38Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body.

39Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

40So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.

41Now there was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.

Read all of John 19 — Every thread of the biblical story converges here. This is the moment everything has been building toward since Genesis 3.