New Revised Standard Version
Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed.

Contemporary English Version
The next day would be both a Sabbath and the Passover. It was a special day for the Jewish people, and they did not want the bodies to stay on the crosses during this day. So they asked Pilate to break the men's legs and take their bodies down.

New American Bible
Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of that week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then the Jews (because it was the parasceve), that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day (for that was a great sabbath day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken: and that they might be taken away.

Then the Jews (because it was the parasceve), that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day (for that was a great sabbath day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken: and that they might be taken away.

because.

John 19:14,42 And it was the parasceve of the pasch, about the sixth hour: and he saith to the Jews: Behold your king. . . .

Matthew 27:62 And the next day, which followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees came together to Pilate,

Mark 15:42 And when evening was now come (because it was the Parasceve, that is, the day before the sabbath),

that the.

Deuteronomy 21:22,23 When a man hath committed a crime for which he is to be punished with death, and being condemned to die is hanged on a gibbet: . . .

that sabbath.

Leviticus 23:7-16 The first day shall be most solemn unto you, and holy: you shall do no servile work therein. . . .

their.

John 19:1 Then therefore Pilate took Jesus and scourged him.

Proverbs 12:10 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that pursueth idleness is very foolish.

Micah 3:3 You that hate good, and love evil: that violently pluck off their skins from them and their flesh from their bones?