John 19:39

Modern

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

Traditional

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

Literal

And Nicodemus, the one having come to Him by night at the first, also came bearing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred litras.

Latin

Venit autem et Nicodemus, qui venerat ad Jesum nocte primum, ferens mixturam myrrhæ et aloës, quasi libras centum.

Greek

English

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

Nicodemus (see 3:1; 7:50) was a member of the Jewish high council. He knew these bodies had to be buried before the Sabbath (19:31, 42). His public support, like that of Joseph of Arimathea, might show he was becoming a disciple (see study note on 7:49–51).
Myrrh was a commonly used powder that smelled good.
The aloes were fragrant powdered sandalwood often used as perfume.
seventy-five pounds: This large amount of spices was fit for royalty. Jesus, the king, received a royal burial.

Theme notes and profiles

John 7:50–52
Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who himself was one of them, asked,
Song of Solomon 4:14
…with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of frankincense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.
John 3:1–21
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.
Matthew 12:20
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.
Psalm 45:8
All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad.
Proverbs 7:17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, with aloes, and with cinnamon.
Matthew 19:30
But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Mark 16:1
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus.
John 12:7
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.
2 Chronicles 16:14
And he was buried in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; then they made a great fire in his honor.
Song of Solomon 4:6
Before the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will make my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world Nicodemus: Pharisee who visited Jesus