An Expository Study of John’s Gospel
CHAPTER 19
Scripture Reading: John 19 (KJV)
THE GLORIFICATION OF THE SON OF GOD IN HIS PASSION
Read vs. 1-7
Pilate was an appointed politician. He wanted to please the people and apparently felt that flogging (scourging) Jesus would be sufficient punishment for His release (Luke 23:16). Flogging often resulted in death and at the very least inflicted serious injury and pain. Soldiers administrated the flogging of the most innocent of all assembled that day. They may have come from a home base in Caesarea and knew little or nothing of the Man called Jesus. They moved by command, not conscience; without malice they simply went about doing their job. They “crowned Him King” and arrayed Jesus in a purple robe.
The Thorns
When visiting Jerusalem one can examine the type of thorn probably used to form The Lord’s only crown. They are about as long as your little finger, sharp as a needle; as unbending as a nail. They hailed Him, “King of the Jews.” Jesus later included those who impaled Him on the tree, by saying, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
Serious Charge
Pilate made a final appeal, as he said, “Behold the man. I have found no fault in Him.” Crucifixion was a shameful death reserved for the vilest of criminals, slaves and revolutionaries. The Jews now make their most serious charge against Jesus, “He made Himself the Son of God” – if found guilty, such a charge of blasphemy called for death (Lev. 24:16). This caused Pilate to fear and he returned, questioning Jesus again. Pilate’s wife had a strange dream about Jesus and warned her husband, “Have nothing to do with this just man.” (Matt. 27:19)
Read vs. 8-12
When Jesus did not answer Pilate, the silence seemed to disturb him all the more. “Do you know who is speaking? I have power over your life.” There is a great deal of difference between power and authority. Pilate had it backwards: Pharaoh had authority, but Moses had power; Ahab had authority, but Elijah had power; Pilate had authority, but Jesus had power. Pilate may have been somewhat like Agrippa, when he said to Paul, “you would almost make me a believer” (Acts 26:28). Pilate, probably under conviction, desired to set Jesus free. But, then the Israelites made a frontal attack. “If you let Jesus go, you’re no friend of Caesar’s.” This was the final straw. Pilate was a pawn in their hands, because both Pilate and the Jews knew that he ultimately had to answer to Rome for his decisions (Acts 4:27-28), and a sick, suspicious Caesar (Tiberius) was on the throne. A bad report would be unwise. The day was Friday (day before the Sabbath). The time was the 6th hour (probably noon). The die is now caste, the decision made. Jesus will be crucified.
Read vs. 13-18
Crucifixion! Jesus had endured the trauma of six trials; six mock trials, three Roman, three Jewish. “For this hour have I come.” Alexander the Great introduced crucifixion into the Mediterranean world through Egypt and Carthage. History indicates that the Romans learned the art of torture from the Carthaginians. Cicero called it “The most cruel and hideous of torture.” Flavius Josephus, the Jewish historian, said it was “the most wretched death.”
Scourging is first
First comes the scourging (whipping). The criminal was stripped naked and the whip, made with varying lengths of leather, with sharp edged bone, always laid open the flesh on one’s back. Some died from the beating inflected by the scourgers. The sufferer’s veins, muscles, sinews, and sometimes bowels were laid bare, exposed.
Carrying the cross
Next came the burden of carrying the cross. The crossbar often weighed more than one hundred pounds and it was strapped to the victim’s shoulders.
Spikes
Then came the spikes or large iron nails. They were driven through the wrists (at the heel of the hands) – both heel bones would then be fastened by a large iron nail. When the cross was erected, the agony would often continue for six to seven hours.
Vivid description
Dr. Thurman Davis describes in vivid detail what happened to the Lord’s body during His crucifixion: “As His arms fatigue, great waves of cramps sweep over His muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps come the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by His arms, the pectoral muscles are paralyzed and the intercostals muscles are unable to act. Air can be drawn into the lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in His lungs and in His bloodstream and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically, He is able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in life giving oxygen.”
This explains why the victim’s legs are broken – to hasten death. Rapid suffocation and/or coronary insufficiency followed. The legs of the two thieves were broken, but observing that Jesus had already died, “not a bone in His body was broken.”
His side pierced
In verse 34, John’s record tells of an executioner who thrust a spear into the side of Jesus, “and forthwith came there out blood and water.” Most authorities, who have studied the death of Jesus, believe that water fluid pouring forth is strong evidence that Jesus died of heart failure, rather than suffocation. Death means “separation.” Was it the suffering on the cross that Jesus feared, or anticipated grief; the grief of being “separated” from His Father? His eventual cry, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”, gives evidence to extreme sorrow breaking the heart of Jesus.
Read vs. 19-27
Pilate would still have his satisfaction by writing the final epitaph of Jesus. The notice read, “Jesus of Nazerath, the King of the Jews.” Since the sign was written in three languages, Aramaic, Latin, and Greek, and the cross was in a public place (Golgotha), all who could see observed a clear proclamation.
Objection
The Israelites strongly objected to the proclamation, but Pilate had the last word, “What I have written, I have written.” This final little joke Pilate played on the Jews he hated completed a series of amazing utterances by Pilate.1
The spoils
The spoils are now divided as ‘booty’ among the soldiers who executed the Lord. Jews, at that time, wore five articles of apparel: shoes, turban, girdle, tunic, and outer robe. Since there were four soldiers and five articles, they gambled for choice. The robe was left and being a seamless, woven, one piece, it was expensive. Dividing it would have been foolish, so they threw dice again.
Pitiful scene
The scene around the cross was pitiful. Soldiers were gambling for His left-overs; Mary, the wife of Cleophas, Mary Magdelene, John and some disciples weeping; Jewish leaders smirking, joking; a shifting, curious crowd murmuring and talking. It reminds one of Jeremiah’s lament, “Is it nothing to all ye that pass by?” (Lam. 1:12). Hate is not the opposite of love, it is indifference. Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter denied Him, the disciples, by and large, were scattered, soldiers gambled, Pilate pondered, the Jewish leaders rejoiced, Barabbas watched, and the centurion said, “Surely this was the Son of God.” The silence is broken as Jesus says, “Woman [sweet lady] behold thy Son.” And to John, He declares, “Behold thy mother.”
Read vs. 28-42
The cry of Jesus, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” is not recorded by John.2 “I thirst”, was the Lord’s fifth saying of seven recorded in the Gospels. At this time He seemed to be fully conscious and continued fulfilling prophecies (Ps. 42:1-2; 63:1).
“It is finished”
The Greek word, TELESTAI (It is finished) was often used in the financial world, meaning “paid in full.” The work is finished; redemption is “paid in full.” The Lord, through the cross, has fully satisfied the righteous standard of God’s demand for justice (Rom. 3:20-26). Even to the very moment of His death, Jesus remained the One who gave up His life3; no one took it from Him. Jewish law The Jewish law did not permit anyone to remain on a tree (cross) overnight (Deut. 21:22- 23). This was a defilement of the land.4 To hasten death, the lower legs of the thieves were smashed. Jesus was by-passed because He was already dead. Yet, to be sure, a spear was thrust into His side. Gnostism and Docetism were ideologies denying the reality of incarnation; the flow of blood and water seems a fitting answer against these heresies (v. 35).
Burial preparation
Joseph and Niccodemus, who seemed to be private admirers or disciples of Jesus, received His body (v. 38) and provided costly spices for burial (v. 39). These aromatic spices, composed of a fragrant wood compounded into dust, were know as aloes. This was mixed with a gum-like substance known as myrrh. These were applied while wrapping the body in its final grave attire (v. 40). With tender hands and loving spirits, they prepared Jesus for burial.
