John 19

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The Soldiers Mock Jesus

(Isaiah 50:4-11; Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; Luke 22:63-65)

1Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. 2And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 3And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. 4Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. 5Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! 6When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. 7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

8When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; 9And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. 12And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

13When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 15But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

The Crucifixion

(Psalm 69:1-36; Matthew 27:32-44; Mark 15:21-32; Luke 23:26-43)

16Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

17And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 18Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. 19And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 21Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. 25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

The Death of Jesus

(Psalm 22:1-31; Matthew 27:45-56; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49)

28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Jesus' Side is Pierced

(Zechariah 12:10-14)

31The 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. 32Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9-12; Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56)

38And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39And 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. 40Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

 

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus
(Isaiah 50:4–11; Matthew 27:27–31; Mark 15:16–20; Luke 22:63–65)

1 So Pilate then took Jesus, and flogged him. 2 The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown, and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment. 3 They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him. 4 Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!” 6 When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”

8 When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid. 9 He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.” 12 At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”

13 When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement,” but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.” 14 Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” 15 They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

The Crucifixion
(Psalm 22:1–31; Matthew 27:32–44; Mark 15:21–32; Luke 23:26–43)

16 So then he delivered him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away.

17 He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull,” which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha,” 18 where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle. 19 Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 20 Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. For my cloak they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. 25 But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.

The Death of Jesus
(Psalm 22:1–31; Matthew 27:45–56; Mark 15:33–41; Luke 23:44–49)

28 After this, Jesus, seeing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.” 29 Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.

Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
(Zechariah 12:10–14)

31 Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him; 33 but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they didn’t break his legs. 34 However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe. 36 For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.” 37 Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”

The Burial of Jesus
(Isaiah 53:9–12; Matthew 27:57–61; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56)

38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. 40 So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid. 42 Then because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand) they laid Jesus there.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus
(Isaiah 50:4–11; Matthew 27:27–31; Mark 15:16–20; Luke 22:63–65)

1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe. 3 And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.

4 Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

6 As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

“You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

7 “We have a law,” answered the Jews, “and according to that law He must die, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God.”

8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid, 9 and he went back into the Praetorium. “Where are You from?” he asked.

But Jesus gave no answer.

10 So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify You?”

11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”

12 From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”

13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew a is Gabbatha. 14 It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. b And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!”

15 At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!”

“Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.

The Crucifixion
(Psalm 22:1–31; Matthew 27:32–44; Mark 15:21–32; Luke 23:26–43)

16 Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away. 17 Carrying His own cross, He went out to The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.

18 There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle.

19 Pilate also had a notice posted on the cross. It read:

JESUS OF NAZARETH,
THE KING OF THE JEWS.

20 Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but only that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’”

22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture:

“They divided My garments among them,

and cast lots for My clothing.” c

So that is what the soldiers did.

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home.

The Death of Jesus
(Psalm 22:1–31; Matthew 27:45–56; Mark 15:33–41; Luke 23:44–49)

28 After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” d 29 A jar of sour wine e was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth. f 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.

Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
(Zechariah 12:10–14)

31 It was the day of Preparation, and the next day was a High Sabbath. In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and those of the other.

33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 The one who saw it has testified to this, and his testimony is true. He knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.

36 Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.” g 37 And, as another Scripture says: “They will look on the One they have pierced.” h

The Burial of Jesus
(Isaiah 53:9–12; Matthew 27:57–61; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56)

38 Afterward, 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. 39 Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus at night, also brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. i 40 So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom.

41 Now 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. 42 And because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they placed Jesus there.

 

Footnotes:

13 a Or in Aramaic ; also in verses 17 and 20
14 b That is, about noon
24 c Psalm 22:18
28 d See Psalm 22:15.
29 e Or A jar of wine vinegar ; similarly in verse 30
29 f See Psalm 69:21.
36 g Psalm 34:20; see also Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12.
37 h Zechariah 12:10
39 i Greek about a hundred litras ; that is, approximately 34 kilograms

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

(Isaiah 50:4-11; Matthew 27:27-31; Mark 15:16-20; Luke 22:63-65)

1Then, therefore, did Pilate take Jesus and scourge him, 2and the soldiers having plaited a crown of thorns, did place it on his head, and a purple garment they put around him, 3and said, 'Hail! the king of the Jews;' and they were giving him slaps. 4Pilate, therefore, again went forth without, and saith to them, 'Lo, I do bring him to you without, that ye may know that in him I find no fault;' 5Jesus, therefore, came forth without, bearing the thorny crown and the purple garment; and he saith to them, 'Lo, the man!' 6When, therefore, the chief priests and the officers did see him, they cried out, saying, 'Crucify, crucify;' Pilate saith to them, 'Take ye him -- ye, and crucify; for I find no fault in him;' 7the Jews answered him, 'We have a law, and according to our law he ought to die, for he made himself Son of God.'

8When, therefore, Pilate heard this word, he was the more afraid, 9and entered again to the praetorium, and saith to Jesus, 'Whence art thou?' and Jesus gave him no answer. 10Pilate, therefore, saith to him, 'To me dost thou not speak? hast thou not known that I have authority to crucify thee, and I have authority to release thee?' 11Jesus answered, 'Thou wouldest have no authority against me, if it were not having been given thee from above; because of this, he who is delivering me up to thee hath greater sin.' 12From this time was Pilate seeking to release him, and the Jews were crying out, saying, 'If this one thou mayest release, thou art not a friend of Caesar; every one making himself a king, doth speak against Caesar.'

13Pilate, therefore, having heard this word, brought Jesus without -- and he sat down upon the tribunal -- to a place called, 'Pavement,' and in Hebrew, Gabbatha; 14and it was the preparation of the passover, and as it were the sixth hour, and he saith to the Jews, 'Lo, your king!' 15and they cried out, 'Take away, take away, crucify him;' Pilate saith to them, 'Your king shall I crucify?' the chief priests answered, 'We have no king except Caesar.'

The Crucifixion

(Psalm 69:1-36; Matthew 27:32-44; Mark 15:21-32; Luke 23:26-43)

16Then, therefore, he delivered him up to them, that he may be crucified, and they took Jesus and led him away,

17and bearing his cross, he went forth to the place called Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha; 18where they crucified him, and with him two others, on this side, and on that side, and Jesus in the midst. 19And Pilate also wrote a title, and put it on the cross, and it was written, 'Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews;' 20this title, therefore, read many of the Jews, because the place was nigh to the city where Jesus was crucified, and it was having been written in Hebrew, in Greek, in Roman. 21The chief priests of the Jews said, therefore, to Pilate, 'Write not -- The king of the Jews, but that one said, I am king of the Jews;' 22Pilate answered, 'What I have written, I have written.'

23The soldiers, therefore, when they did crucify Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to each soldier a part, also the coat, and the coat was seamless, from the top woven throughout, 24they said, therefore, to one another, 'We may not rend it, but cast a lot for it, whose it shall be;' that the Writing might be fulfilled, that is saying, 'They divided my garments to themselves, and upon my raiment they did cast a lot;' the soldiers, therefore, indeed, did these things. 25And there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary of Cleopas, and Mary the Magdalene; 26Jesus, therefore, having seen his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he was loving, he saith to his mother, 'Woman, lo, thy son;' 27afterward he saith to the disciple, 'Lo, thy mother;' and from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

The Death of Jesus

(Psalm 22:1-31; Matthew 27:45-56; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49)

28After this, Jesus knowing that all things now have been finished, that the Writing may be fulfilled, saith, 'I thirst;' 29a vessel, therefore, was placed full of vinegar, and they having filled a sponge with vinegar, and having put it around a hyssop stalk, did put it to his mouth; 30when, therefore, Jesus received the vinegar, he said, 'It hath been finished;' and having bowed the head, gave up the spirit.

Jesus' Side is Pierced

(Zechariah 12:10-14)

31The Jews, therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, since it was the preparation, (for that sabbath day was a great one,) asked of Pilate that their legs may be broken, and they taken away. 32The soldiers, therefore, came, and of the first indeed they did break the legs, and of the other who was crucified with him, 33and having come to Jesus, when they saw him already having been dead, they did not break his legs; 34but one of the soldiers with a spear did pierce his side, and immediately there came forth blood and water; 35and he who hath seen hath testified, and his testimony is true, and that one hath known that true things he speaketh, that ye also may believe. 36For these things came to pass, that the Writing may be fulfilled, 'A bone of him shall not be broken;' 37and again another Writing saith, 'They shall look to him whom they did pierce.'

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9-12; Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56)

38And after these things did Joseph of Arimathea -- being a disciple of Jesus, but concealed, through the fear of the Jews -- ask of Pilate, that he may take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave leave; he came, therefore, and took away the body of Jesus, 39and Nicodemus also came -- who came unto Jesus by night at the first -- bearing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, as it were, a hundred pounds. 40They took, therefore, the body of Jesus, and bound it with linen clothes with the spices, according as it was the custom of the Jews to prepare for burial; 41and there was in the place where he was crucified a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one was yet laid; 42there, therefore, because of the preparation of the Jews, because the tomb was nigh, they laid Jesus.

Jesus Sentenced to Be Crucified

¹ Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. ² The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They dressed Him in a purple robe ³ and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face.

Once more Pilate came out and said to the crowd, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.”

When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do You come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ “Do You refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t You realize I have power either to free You or to crucify You?”

¹¹ Jesus answered, “You would have no power over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

¹² From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.”

¹³ When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). ¹⁴ It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon.

“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews.

¹⁵ But they shouted, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!”

“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.

¹⁶ Finally, Pilate handed Him over to them to be crucified.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. ¹⁷ Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). ¹⁸ There they crucified Him, and with Him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. ¹⁹ Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek.

²¹ The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”

²² Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

²³ When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. ²⁴ “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.”

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,

“They divided My clothes among them

and cast lots for My garment.”*

So this is what the soldiers did.

Jesus Speaks to His Mother

²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

The Death of Jesus

²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

The Piercing of Jesus’ Side

³¹ Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. ³² The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and found that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ³⁴ Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. ³⁵ The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. ³⁶ These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken,”* ³⁷ and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”*

The Burial of Jesus

³⁸ Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. ³⁹ He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. ⁴⁰ Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. ⁴¹ At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. ⁴² Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Footnotes:

19:6: The call to “Crucify!” highlights the deep rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders, despite Pilate’s repeated attempts to absolve Him of guilt.

19:24: The soldiers casting lots for Jesus’ garment fulfilled Psalm 22:18, demonstrating that even in this moment of suffering, God’s plan was unfolding.

19:30: “It is finished” (tetelestai in Greek) signifies that Jesus’ mission of salvation was complete—He had accomplished the work of redemption.

19:36: The prophecy that not one of Jesus’ bones would be broken refers back to Exodus 12:46 and Psalm 34:20, underscoring His role as the perfect Passover Lamb.

19:37: The prophecy of looking on “the one they have pierced” comes from Zechariah 12:10, foreshadowing both Jesus’ crucifixion and the future recognition of His Messiahship.

19:31: The Jewish leaders’ request to break the legs of the crucified was a common practice to hasten death, as crucifixion often prolonged suffering for days.

19:39: Nicodemus, who had once come to Jesus in secret, now openly honors Him, providing an extravagant burial with costly spices, showing his faith.

The F.O.G Commentary:

What is the meaning of John 19?

Introduction to John 19

John 19 stands as one of the most profound chapters in all of Scripture, capturing the culmination of God’s redemptive plan through the crucifixion of Yeshua (Jesus). This pivotal chapter presents the final hours of our Messiah’s earthly life, from His scourging at the hands of Pilate to His death on the cross and burial in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb. The narrative is carefully crafted to reveal both the depth of human depravity and the heights of divine love, demonstrating how the ancient prophecies concerning the Suffering Servant find their perfect fulfillment in Yeshua’s sacrifice.

The intricately woven details of this chapter showcase John’s eyewitness testimony, as he alone among the disciples remained at the foot of the cross. His account provides unique insights into the final moments of Yeshua’s life, including the powerful declaration “It is finished” (Tetelestai in Greek), which marks the completion of God’s redemptive plan.

Context of John 19

Within the immediate context of John’s Gospel, chapter 19 follows the illegal trials of Yeshua before the Sanhedrin and Pilate (chapter 18) and precedes His glorious resurrection (chapter 20). This chapter serves as the climactic moment toward which John’s entire Gospel has been building, demonstrating how Yeshua is indeed the promised Messiah who lays down His life for His people. The careful selection of details emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy and the sovereign control of God even in what appears to be history’s darkest moment.

In the broader biblical narrative, John 19 stands at the intersection of countless prophecies and typological patterns established throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. From the Passover lamb of Exodus to Isaiah’s Suffering Servant, from David’s persecution to Zechariah’s pierced one, the entire redemptive story of Scripture converges at the cross. The chapter demonstrates how the ceremonial system of the Temple, with its sacrifices and holy days, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua’s atoning death.

This chapter also bridges the old and new covenants, showing how Yeshua’s death inaugurates the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34. The tearing of the Temple veil, though recorded in the synoptic gospels, finds its theological explanation in John’s careful presentation of Yeshua as the final and perfect sacrifice.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Scourged (ἐμαστίγωσεν/emastigōsen): This term in verse 1 refers to a brutal Roman flogging using a whip with multiple leather strands, often embedded with metal or bone fragments. The word carries legal and prophetic significance, fulfilling both Roman judicial practice and the prophecy of Isaiah 53:5.
  • Crown (στέφανον/stephanon): The crown of thorns placed on Yeshua’s head (verse 2) uses the Greek word for a victor’s crown, creating a powerful irony. While meant as mockery, it prophetically points to His ultimate victory through suffering. The thorns themselves echo the curse of Genesis 3:18.
  • Behold the Man (Ἰδοὺ ὁ ἄνθρωπος/Idou ho anthropos): Pilate’s declaration in verse 5 echoes the messianic language of Zechariah 6:12. The phrase carries deep theological significance, presenting Yeshua as the perfect representative of humanity.
  • Power (ἐξουσίαν/exousian): In verse 10, this word denotes delegated authority. Pilate’s claim to power is ironically countered by Yeshua’s statement about power from above, revealing the true nature of divine and human authority.
  • Place of the Skull (Κρανίου/kraniou): The Greek translation of Golgotha in verse 17 carries symbolic significance, possibly referring to both the shape of the hill and its connection to death. Some Jewish traditions connect this location to Adam’s burial place.
  • It is finished (Τετέλεσται/tetelestai): This perfect passive indicative verb in verse 30 was commonly used on business documents to indicate “paid in full.” It signifies the completion of Yeshua’s redemptive work and the fulfillment of all prophecies concerning Him.
  • Blood and Water (αἷμα καὶ ὕδωρ/haima kai hydōr): The flow of blood and water from Yeshua’s side (verse 34) has both medical and symbolic significance, pointing to the certainty of His death and the cleansing power of His sacrifice. It connects to the water and blood offerings in Temple worship.
  • Garden (κῆπος/kēpos): The burial in a garden (verse 41) creates a powerful theological connection to Eden, suggesting the beginning of new creation through Yeshua’s death. The word choice is deliberate, as John is the only evangelist to specify this detail.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 1: The choice of “scourged” (ἐμαστίγωσεν) rather than a simpler term for beating emphasizes the official, judicial nature of the punishment. This specific word connects to Isaiah’s prophecy and carries legal weight in Roman practice.
  • Verse 5: “Behold the Man” could have been stated as “Look at this man,” but the chosen phrase deliberately echoes messianic prophecies and presents Yeshua as the archetypal human.
  • Verse 11: Yeshua’s response about authority “given from above” uses divine passive construction, emphasizing God’s sovereignty rather than human agency.
  • Verse 19: The title “King of the Jews” written in three languages demonstrates both Roman administrative practice and divine providence in proclaiming Yeshua’s kingship to all peoples.
  • Verse 23-24: The detailed description of dividing garments fulfills Psalm 22:18, with specific terms chosen to match the Septuagint translation.
  • Verse 28: “I thirst” (διψῶ) connects to Psalm 69:21, using the exact terminology of the Septuagint.
  • Verse 30: The phrase “gave up His spirit” rather than simply “died” emphasizes Yeshua’s voluntary submission and authority even in death.
  • Verse 34: The specific mention of “blood and water” uses medical terminology that validates the authenticity of death while carrying sacramental significance.
  • Verse 36: The reference to unbroken bones uses language that precisely matches both Passover regulations and Psalm 34:20.

John 19 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several unique elements that set it apart in biblical literature. The interaction between Pilate and the Jewish leaders reveals a complex political and theological drama. The phrase “We have no king but Caesar” (verse 15) represents a tragic irony, as the religious leaders reject their divine King in favor of pagan authority. This declaration effectively reverses Samuel’s establishment of the monarchy and the prophetic hope of a Davidic king.

The seamless tunic of Yeshua (verse 23) carries profound symbolism. Similar to the high priest’s garment, which was woven in one piece, this detail suggests Yeshua’s high priestly role. The Rabbis taught that the high priest’s tunic atoned for bloodshed; here, Yeshua’s seamless garment is preserved whole as He makes the final atonement for sin.

Early church father Origen noted that the three languages of the inscription above the cross (Hebrew, Latin, and Greek) represented the fullness of human wisdom and authority: Hebrew for divine revelation, Greek for human philosophy, and Latin for governmental power. All three bear witness to Yeshua’s kingship, even if unintentionally.

The precise timing of events in John 19 aligns with the Passover sacrifice in the Temple. According to the Mishnah, the daily sacrifice was offered at the third hour and the Passover lambs were slain from the sixth to the ninth hour. John’s careful notation of time demonstrates how Yeshua’s death coincides with these sacrificial practices.

The flow of blood and water from Yeshua’s side has generated much theological reflection. Augustine saw this as the birth of the Church, comparing it to Eve’s creation from Adam’s side. The Didache and other early Christian writings connected this to baptism and the Eucharist.

John 19 Connections to Yeshua

This chapter presents Yeshua as the fulfillment of numerous messianic prophecies and types. His role as the true Passover Lamb becomes evident through the timing of His death and the preservation of His bones. The statement “Behold your King” (verse 14) occurs precisely when the Passover lambs were being prepared, highlighting His sacrificial role.

The chapter demonstrates Yeshua’s sovereignty even in His apparent defeat. His responses to Pilate show His authority over the proceedings, and His final declaration “It is finished” is not a cry of defeat but a proclamation of victory. Every detail, from the division of His garments to the offering of sour wine, fulfills Scripture and demonstrates His messianic identity.

The placement of Yeshua’s tomb in a garden creates a powerful theological connection to both Eden and the promise of resurrection. As death entered through a garden in Genesis, so new life begins in a garden tomb. This setting anticipates the resurrection and points to Yeshua as the source of new creation.

John 19 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous Old Testament passages:

John 19 Devotional

This chapter calls us to contemplate the depth of God’s love demonstrated through Yeshua’s sacrifice. His willingness to endure such suffering reveals the extent of divine love for humanity. The physical and spiritual agony He endured provides both comfort in our sufferings and a model of faithful endurance.

We’re challenged to consider our own response to Yeshua’s kingship. Will we, like the religious leaders, reject His authority in favor of worldly power? Or will we, like the beloved disciple and the women at the cross, remain faithful even in difficult circumstances?

The chapter also reminds us that God’s purposes prevail even in apparent defeat. When circumstances seem darkest, we can trust in divine sovereignty. Yeshua’s example teaches us that surrender to God’s will, even through suffering, leads to victory.

Did You Know

  • The “crown of thorns” likely used the thorns of the Ziziphus spina-christi tree, common in the Holy Land, with thorns up to 6 inches long.
  • The seamless tunic worn by Yeshua was an expensive garment, typically worn by priests and wealthy individuals. Its preservation fulfilled prophecy and symbolized His high priestly role.
  • The inscription “King of the Jews” in three languages (Hebrew, Latin, Greek) effectively proclaimed Yeshua’s kingship to the entire known world, as these were the primary languages of religion, government, and commerce.
  • The “sponge full of sour wine” was likely posca, a common drink of Roman soldiers made from diluted vinegar. It was considered a thirst-quencher and was healthier than water.
  • Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb was likely a bench tomb, cut into rock with shelves for multiple bodies. Using it for Yeshua was a significant financial sacrifice as it rendered the tomb ceremonially unclean.
  • The mixture of myrrh and aloes brought by Nicodemus weighed about 75 pounds, an amount typically used for royal burials. This quantity would have been extremely expensive.
  • The location of Golgotha may have been chosen partly because it was visible from the Temple, allowing the priests to witness the crucifixion while preparing the Passover sacrifices.
  • The ceremonial washing of Yeshua’s body and the new tomb fulfill Jewish burial customs that required bodies to be buried before sunset, especially before a festival.
  • The “garden” mentioned in verse 41 was likely an ancient limestone quarry that had been converted into a cemetery, with gardens planted among the tombs.
  • The spear thrust into Yeshua’s side was a Roman practice called “mercy stroke,” used to ensure death. The flow of blood and water indicates He had already died from heart failure.
  • John is the only Gospel writer to mention the detail about the soldiers not breaking Yeshua’s legs, a direct fulfillment of Passover requirements for the sacrificial lamb.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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