Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
Pilate 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.
Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
When 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.
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
Then 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?
Jesus 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.
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cesar.
When 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.
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
But 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 Cesar.
Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
This 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.
Then 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.
Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
Then 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.
They 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.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
Now 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.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
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.
Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
And after this Joseph of Arimathea, 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.
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.
Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
John 19 focuses on the crucifixion of Jesus, highlighting the stark contrast between His innocence and the brutal reality of His suffering. Despite Pilate's attempts to appease the Jewish leaders, their bloodlust prevails, leading to the agonizing death of Jesus. John, an eyewitness to these events, meticulously records details that fulfill Old Testament prophecies, solidifying Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah. This chapter is a pivotal point in the Gospel, showcasing the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins. Let's delve into the significance of each section.
The Scourging and Mockery (John 19:1-3)
Pilate, seeking to appease the Jewish leaders, had Jesus flogged. The term "flogged" can also be translated as "scourged." This was no mere lashing; a Roman scourge, or flagrum, was a multi-headed whip, often weighted with bits of bone or metal. This vicious beating would rip the skin from the victim’s back, resulting in a severely maimed figure. The soldiers, adding insult to injury, mocked Christ’s claim to be a king by placing a crown of thorns on His head, dressing Him in a purple robe, and shouting, "Hail, King of the Jews!" (John 19:2-3). They even slapped Him in the face (John 19:3). Unbeknownst to Pilate and the soldiers, they were fulfilling biblical prophecies in detail, specifically Isaiah 50:6 and 53:5, which speak of the Messiah's suffering.
"Here is the Man!" (John 19:4-7)
Pilate, still attempting to avoid a crucifixion, presented Jesus to the crowd, declaring, "Here is the man!" (John 19:5). He hoped that the sight of the brutally beaten Jesus would satisfy their bloodlust. Pilate had found no grounds for charging Him (John 19:4). Nevertheless, he had thoroughly humiliated Him and inflicted great pain on Him. However, the chief priests and temple servants remained resolute, crying out, "Crucify! Crucify!" (John 19:6). The Jewish leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy, stating that He made Himself the Son of God (John 19:7). This claim, that Jesus, a mere man, was making claims that only God could make, was the core of their accusation.
Pilate's Fear and Jesus' Silence (John 19:8-11)
Hearing this accusation, Pilate was increasingly afraid (John 19:8). Jesus had already alluded to a kingdom "not of this world" (John 18:36). Now, the Jews were explicitly stating Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Matthew 27:19 reveals that Pilate's wife had a disturbing dream about this "righteous man," urging him to have nothing to do with Jesus. Pilate, perhaps a superstitious pagan, feared the potential repercussions from the gods. He questioned Jesus further, asking, "Where are you from?" (John 19:9). While he likely knew Jesus was from Galilee (Luke 23:5-7), Pilate's question carried a deeper meaning, hinting at a divine origin. Jesus refused to answer (John 19:9), fulfilling Isaiah 53:7. Pilate, frustrated and perhaps fearful, asserted his authority, reminding Jesus that he had the power to release or crucify Him (John 19:10).
Jesus finally spoke, reminding Pilate that his authority was not inherent but granted "from above" (John 19:11). This profound statement holds two crucial truths: Firstly, all earthly authority is ultimately derived from God, and those who wield it will be held accountable for its use. Secondly, believers must maintain a heavenly perspective, recognizing God as the ultimate authority, even when facing illegitimate earthly rule. Jesus added that "the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin" (John 19:11), indicating that while Pilate was culpable, the Jewish high priest, who knew the Scriptures and had witnessed Jesus' teachings and miracles, bore a heavier responsibility.
"We Have No King but Caesar" (John 19:12-16)
Pilate continued to seek a way to release Jesus (John 19:12), but the Jewish leaders cornered him with a political threat: "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar" (John 19:12). This accusation placed Pilate in direct opposition to the Roman emperor. To avoid potential repercussions from Caesar, Pilate succumbed to the pressure and handed Jesus over to be crucified (John 19:16). Pilate then sat down on the judge’s seat to proclaim his verdict (John 19:13). One day every Christian will stand before the judgment seat of Christ so that he may render a verdict, not regarding salvation, but regarding each person’s service and faithfulness to him.
It was the preparation day for the Passover (John 19:14). When the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, God had commanded them to slaughter a lamb and place its blood on the doorposts of their homes. Then, when he struck down the firstborn of Egypt, he “passed over” the homes with a blood covering. By means of this, God rescued his people from slavery (see Exodus 12:1-28). Jesus, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) was about to shed his blood so that all those who believe in him would be saved from slavery to sin. His death at this particular moment wasn’t due to chance, then, but due to the sovereign timing of God.
In a final act of defiance, Pilate presented Jesus to the Jews, declaring, "Here is your king!" (John 19:14). But they vehemently rejected Him, shouting, "Take him away! Crucify him!" (John 19:15). When Pilate pressed further, asking if he should crucify their king, they responded, "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15). This statement revealed the depth of their hatred for Jesus, as they were willing to align themselves with a pagan ruler rather than acknowledge Him as their Messiah. Placing human government above God never ends well.
The Crucifixion and the Sign (John 19:17-22)
Jesus was led to Golgotha, meaning "Place of the Skull" in Aramaic (John 19:17). The Latin translation is Calvaria, from which we get the English rendering Calvary. There they crucified him between two others (John 19:18), criminals according to Luke (see 23:33). Crucifixion was a horrific form of execution perfected by the Romans. Condemned men typically carried the crossbar of their own cross to the execution site, as Jesus was made to do.
Pilate had a sign hung on Jesus’s cross that said, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek, so that everyone could read it (John 19:19-20). The sign displayed the charge for which He was put to death. The chief priests were furious, wanting the sign to indicate that Jesus merely claimed to be king (John 19:21). But Pilate refused to change it, declaring, "What I have written, I have written" (John 19:22). Pilate intended for the sign to mock the Jews, but God, in His sovereignty, used it to proclaim the truth about His Son to the world.
Dividing His Garments and Caring for His Mother (John 19:23-27)
As Jesus hung in agony, the soldiers divided His clothes among themselves, casting lots for His tunic (John 19:23-24). John notes that this fulfilled Psalm 22:18. Standing near the cross were several women who had followed Jesus, including His mother, Mary (John 19:25). Seeing His mother and the disciple He loved (likely John himself), Jesus entrusted Mary to John's care, saying, "Woman, here is your son," and to John, "Here is your mother" (John 19:26-27). This act demonstrated Jesus' continued compassion and responsibility, even in His final moments. Jesus entrusted the well-being of his mother to John rather than to one of her biological sons because they had not yet believed in him (see 7:5). Spiritual relationships are to take precedence over biological and physical relationships (see Matt 12:46-50).
"It Is Finished" (John 19:28-30)
Knowing that His mission was complete and that all things were now fulfilled according to Scripture, Jesus said, "I am thirsty" (John 19:28). The soldiers offered Him a sponge soaked in sour wine on a hyssop branch (John 19:29). Hyssop was the very plant used to brush lamb’s blood on the doorposts during the Passover (see Exodus 12:21-23). As the apostle Paul says, “Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor 5:7). Then Jesus declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30). The Greek word tetelestai signifies "paid in full," "completed," or "accomplished." With this declaration, Jesus proclaimed that His atoning work for the sins of humanity was complete. The demands of the law had been met. The debt for sin had been paid in full.
Jesus had proclaimed, “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down on my own” (John 10:18). Here the truth of that claim was verified: Bowing his head, he gave up his spirit (John 19:30). Jesus was not robbed of his life; he voluntarily laid it down. “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Pierced, Not Broken (John 19:31-37)
Because it was the Preparation Day for the Passover, the Jewish leaders wanted the bodies removed from the crosses before the Sabbath to avoid defiling the land (John 19:31). They requested that Pilate have the legs of the crucified men broken to hasten their death.
When the soldiers came to Jesus, they found Him already dead (John 19:33). To confirm His death, a soldier pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out (John 19:34). This indicated that His heart was no longer beating. John, an eyewitness to this event, testified to its truthfulness (John 19:35), countering early heresies that denied Jesus' full humanity. John highlights that these events fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, specifically Psalm 34:20 and Zechariah 12:10, demonstrating God's sovereign plan.
The Burial (John 19:38-42)
Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, bravely asked Pilate for Jesus' body (John 19:38). The other Gospels inform us that he was wealthy and a prominent member of the Jewish Sanhedrin (see Matt 27:57; Mark 15:43). Nicodemus, another secret disciple who had previously met with Jesus at night (John 19:39; see John 3:1-13), joined Joseph in preparing Jesus' body for burial.
They prepared the body and laid it in a new tomb in a garden near the place of his crucifixion (John 19:39-41). No one had yet been placed in the tomb (John 19:41). This is a very significant detail because later, when Jesus’s body was gone, no one was able to point to any bones in the tomb to claim them as Jesus’s remains. His was the first corpse to lie there. This burial in a solid stone tomb, covered by a door, will factor into Jesus' miraculous resurrection. His enemies will petition to have the site guarded: they don't want anyone to steal the body and claim Jesus came back from the dead (Matthew 27:62–68). Ironically, those measures will only make it more obvious that the tomb's emptiness was the result of a true miracle (John 20:1–9).
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
Pilate 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.
Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
When 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.
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
Then 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?
Jesus 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.
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cesar.
When 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.
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
But 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 Cesar.
Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
This 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.
Then 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.
Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
Then 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.
They 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.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
Now 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.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
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.
Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
And after this Joseph of Arimathea, 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.
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.
Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
John 19 focuses on the crucifixion of Jesus, highlighting the stark contrast between His innocence and the brutal reality of His suffering. Despite Pilate's attempts to appease the Jewish leaders, their bloodlust prevails, leading to the agonizing death of Jesus. John, an eyewitness to these events, meticulously records details that fulfill Old Testament prophecies, solidifying Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah. This chapter is a pivotal point in the Gospel, showcasing the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins. Let's delve into the significance of each section.
The Scourging and Mockery (John 19:1-3)
Pilate, seeking to appease the Jewish leaders, had Jesus flogged. The term "flogged" can also be translated as "scourged." This was no mere lashing; a Roman scourge, or flagrum, was a multi-headed whip, often weighted with bits of bone or metal. This vicious beating would rip the skin from the victim’s back, resulting in a severely maimed figure. The soldiers, adding insult to injury, mocked Christ’s claim to be a king by placing a crown of thorns on His head, dressing Him in a purple robe, and shouting, "Hail, King of the Jews!" (John 19:2-3). They even slapped Him in the face (John 19:3). Unbeknownst to Pilate and the soldiers, they were fulfilling biblical prophecies in detail, specifically Isaiah 50:6 and 53:5, which speak of the Messiah's suffering.
"Here is the Man!" (John 19:4-7)
Pilate, still attempting to avoid a crucifixion, presented Jesus to the crowd, declaring, "Here is the man!" (John 19:5). He hoped that the sight of the brutally beaten Jesus would satisfy their bloodlust. Pilate had found no grounds for charging Him (John 19:4). Nevertheless, he had thoroughly humiliated Him and inflicted great pain on Him. However, the chief priests and temple servants remained resolute, crying out, "Crucify! Crucify!" (John 19:6). The Jewish leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy, stating that He made Himself the Son of God (John 19:7). This claim, that Jesus, a mere man, was making claims that only God could make, was the core of their accusation.
Pilate's Fear and Jesus' Silence (John 19:8-11)
Hearing this accusation, Pilate was increasingly afraid (John 19:8). Jesus had already alluded to a kingdom "not of this world" (John 18:36). Now, the Jews were explicitly stating Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Matthew 27:19 reveals that Pilate's wife had a disturbing dream about this "righteous man," urging him to have nothing to do with Jesus. Pilate, perhaps a superstitious pagan, feared the potential repercussions from the gods. He questioned Jesus further, asking, "Where are you from?" (John 19:9). While he likely knew Jesus was from Galilee (Luke 23:5-7), Pilate's question carried a deeper meaning, hinting at a divine origin. Jesus refused to answer (John 19:9), fulfilling Isaiah 53:7. Pilate, frustrated and perhaps fearful, asserted his authority, reminding Jesus that he had the power to release or crucify Him (John 19:10).
Jesus finally spoke, reminding Pilate that his authority was not inherent but granted "from above" (John 19:11). This profound statement holds two crucial truths: Firstly, all earthly authority is ultimately derived from God, and those who wield it will be held accountable for its use. Secondly, believers must maintain a heavenly perspective, recognizing God as the ultimate authority, even when facing illegitimate earthly rule. Jesus added that "the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin" (John 19:11), indicating that while Pilate was culpable, the Jewish high priest, who knew the Scriptures and had witnessed Jesus' teachings and miracles, bore a heavier responsibility.
"We Have No King but Caesar" (John 19:12-16)
Pilate continued to seek a way to release Jesus (John 19:12), but the Jewish leaders cornered him with a political threat: "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar" (John 19:12). This accusation placed Pilate in direct opposition to the Roman emperor. To avoid potential repercussions from Caesar, Pilate succumbed to the pressure and handed Jesus over to be crucified (John 19:16). Pilate then sat down on the judge’s seat to proclaim his verdict (John 19:13). One day every Christian will stand before the judgment seat of Christ so that he may render a verdict, not regarding salvation, but regarding each person’s service and faithfulness to him.
It was the preparation day for the Passover (John 19:14). When the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, God had commanded them to slaughter a lamb and place its blood on the doorposts of their homes. Then, when he struck down the firstborn of Egypt, he “passed over” the homes with a blood covering. By means of this, God rescued his people from slavery (see Exodus 12:1-28). Jesus, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) was about to shed his blood so that all those who believe in him would be saved from slavery to sin. His death at this particular moment wasn’t due to chance, then, but due to the sovereign timing of God.
In a final act of defiance, Pilate presented Jesus to the Jews, declaring, "Here is your king!" (John 19:14). But they vehemently rejected Him, shouting, "Take him away! Crucify him!" (John 19:15). When Pilate pressed further, asking if he should crucify their king, they responded, "We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15). This statement revealed the depth of their hatred for Jesus, as they were willing to align themselves with a pagan ruler rather than acknowledge Him as their Messiah. Placing human government above God never ends well.
The Crucifixion and the Sign (John 19:17-22)
Jesus was led to Golgotha, meaning "Place of the Skull" in Aramaic (John 19:17). The Latin translation is Calvaria, from which we get the English rendering Calvary. There they crucified him between two others (John 19:18), criminals according to Luke (see 23:33). Crucifixion was a horrific form of execution perfected by the Romans. Condemned men typically carried the crossbar of their own cross to the execution site, as Jesus was made to do.
Pilate had a sign hung on Jesus’s cross that said, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek, so that everyone could read it (John 19:19-20). The sign displayed the charge for which He was put to death. The chief priests were furious, wanting the sign to indicate that Jesus merely claimed to be king (John 19:21). But Pilate refused to change it, declaring, "What I have written, I have written" (John 19:22). Pilate intended for the sign to mock the Jews, but God, in His sovereignty, used it to proclaim the truth about His Son to the world.
Dividing His Garments and Caring for His Mother (John 19:23-27)
As Jesus hung in agony, the soldiers divided His clothes among themselves, casting lots for His tunic (John 19:23-24). John notes that this fulfilled Psalm 22:18. Standing near the cross were several women who had followed Jesus, including His mother, Mary (John 19:25). Seeing His mother and the disciple He loved (likely John himself), Jesus entrusted Mary to John's care, saying, "Woman, here is your son," and to John, "Here is your mother" (John 19:26-27). This act demonstrated Jesus' continued compassion and responsibility, even in His final moments. Jesus entrusted the well-being of his mother to John rather than to one of her biological sons because they had not yet believed in him (see 7:5). Spiritual relationships are to take precedence over biological and physical relationships (see Matt 12:46-50).
"It Is Finished" (John 19:28-30)
Knowing that His mission was complete and that all things were now fulfilled according to Scripture, Jesus said, "I am thirsty" (John 19:28). The soldiers offered Him a sponge soaked in sour wine on a hyssop branch (John 19:29). Hyssop was the very plant used to brush lamb’s blood on the doorposts during the Passover (see Exodus 12:21-23). As the apostle Paul says, “Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor 5:7). Then Jesus declared, "It is finished" (John 19:30). The Greek word tetelestai signifies "paid in full," "completed," or "accomplished." With this declaration, Jesus proclaimed that His atoning work for the sins of humanity was complete. The demands of the law had been met. The debt for sin had been paid in full.
Jesus had proclaimed, “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down on my own” (John 10:18). Here the truth of that claim was verified: Bowing his head, he gave up his spirit (John 19:30). Jesus was not robbed of his life; he voluntarily laid it down. “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Pierced, Not Broken (John 19:31-37)
Because it was the Preparation Day for the Passover, the Jewish leaders wanted the bodies removed from the crosses before the Sabbath to avoid defiling the land (John 19:31). They requested that Pilate have the legs of the crucified men broken to hasten their death.
When the soldiers came to Jesus, they found Him already dead (John 19:33). To confirm His death, a soldier pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out (John 19:34). This indicated that His heart was no longer beating. John, an eyewitness to this event, testified to its truthfulness (John 19:35), countering early heresies that denied Jesus' full humanity. John highlights that these events fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, specifically Psalm 34:20 and Zechariah 12:10, demonstrating God's sovereign plan.
The Burial (John 19:38-42)
Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, bravely asked Pilate for Jesus' body (John 19:38). The other Gospels inform us that he was wealthy and a prominent member of the Jewish Sanhedrin (see Matt 27:57; Mark 15:43). Nicodemus, another secret disciple who had previously met with Jesus at night (John 19:39; see John 3:1-13), joined Joseph in preparing Jesus' body for burial.
They prepared the body and laid it in a new tomb in a garden near the place of his crucifixion (John 19:39-41). No one had yet been placed in the tomb (John 19:41). This is a very significant detail because later, when Jesus’s body was gone, no one was able to point to any bones in the tomb to claim them as Jesus’s remains. His was the first corpse to lie there. This burial in a solid stone tomb, covered by a door, will factor into Jesus' miraculous resurrection. His enemies will petition to have the site guarded: they don't want anyone to steal the body and claim Jesus came back from the dead (Matthew 27:62–68). Ironically, those measures will only make it more obvious that the tomb's emptiness was the result of a true miracle (John 20:1–9).