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.

Now it was the day of getting ready for the Passover, and so that the bodies might not be on the cross on the Sabbath (because the day of that Sabbath was a great day), the Jews made a request to Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Οι δε Ιουδαιοι, δια να μη μεινωσιν επι του σταυρου τα σωματα εν τω σαββατω, επειδη ητο παρασκευη· διοτι ητο μεγαλη εκεινη η ημερα του σαββατου· παρεκαλεσαν τον Πιλατον δια να συνθλασθωσιν αυτων τα σκελη, και να σηκωθωσιν.

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.