Jesus Sentenced To Be Crucified (ch. 19:1-17)
We see here in John 19 that Pilate had Jesus flogged. He also
dressed Him in a purple robe and put a crown of thorns on His head. The
soldiers hit Jesus and mocked Him, calling Him the King of the Jews.
After the flogging Pilate brought Jesus out to the Jews again. It
appears Pilate was hoping that the flogging would be suitable punishment
for Jesus and that the Jews would accept this form of punishment. Pilate
did not find any fault in Jesus, especially sufficient fault to warrant
his execution.
But this did not satisfy the Jews. They cried out "crucify
Him."
Pilate wanted to free Jesus. At this point he was getting frustrated
with the Jews. In verse 6 Pilate tells the Jewish leadership to go and
crucify Jesus themselves. There’s a couple points to note here. First of
all the Jews had no legal authority to execute anyone in any fashion.
Second, if they did have the authority to execute someone, they’d do it
by stoning, not by crucifixion. If the Jews had of actually taken Pilate’s
words seriously then they’d be in trouble.
In verse 7 the Jews tell Pilate that "they have a law."
This is to say, we have a law, you won’t let us use it. Our law says
that Jesus must die because He is calling Himself "the Son of
God". The Jews would love to be able to implement their law, but the
Romans prevent them from doing that.
In verse 8 and 9 John tells us that Pilate was "now even more
afraid." From these words we learn that Pilate began to have some
fear over this situation with Jesus. The word "more" tells us
that he already had a measure of fear.
Upon hearing the words from the Jews about their law stating that
Jesus should die, Pilate went back into the room to question Jesus
further.
Pilate asks Jesus where He came from, maybe hoping to find out more
information from Jesus, but Jesus did not answer. Pilate then asks Jesus
if He refuses to speak to him. Pilate proceeded to tell Jesus that he had
the power to save Jesus’ life or to destroy His life.
Jesus’ answer is important. He tells Pilate that he does not have
nay authority over Him other than what was given to him from above,
meaning God. Pilate thought he was in charge, but not so. God was in
charge. It was God’s desire to have Jesus put to death for the sin of
mankind. This is clearly seen in Isaiah 53. Jesus was resting secure in
this fact. Although under all sorts of pressure and stress Jesus knew for
sure what He was going through was God’s will and this assuredness could
be seen in this answer to Pilate. Pilate appeared to have the power to
save or destroy Jesus, and so he did. But the only reason why he had such
power is because God the Father allowed him to have this power.
Jesus then says something very interesting. He says, "therefore
the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." There’s
a couple of points to be made here. The first point is that Jesus appears
to suggest that some sins are greater than others.
All sins are a sin against God and brings separation. Yet all sins
do not have the same consequences. Killing a person clearly has worst
consequences than being angry at that person. Yet Jesus isn’t really
talking about the consequence of sin here, He is speaking of the sin
itself.
Who had the worst sin in this case? Jesus said that the one who
handed Him over to Pilate had the worse sin, and that would be Caiaphas.
Why was Caiaphas’ sin worse? Jesus came to the Jews to bring them to
salvation, and the Jews were in the process of rejecting Him, of which
Caiaphas was their spiritual leader. Caiaphas was not only participating
in murder, but leading the Jews in unbelief in Jesus. Not believing in
Jesus is worse than killing Him. The whole rejection process was wrapped
up in Caiaphas’ actions.
We can’t diminish Pilate’s roll in the murder of Jesus. It was a
serious sin, yet Jesus Himself said that Pilate’s sin was less than the
one who handed Him over to Pilate. You might say that Pilate was a passive
aggressive person in this situation. He allowed the death of Jesus because
of the pressure he faced. The Jews were not passive in this situation,
only aggressive.
We can therefore conclude that some sins are worse than others and
probably have different levels of punishment. Still, sin is sin. Any sin,
no matter whole big or small is still a sin against God in the Long run
and has a measure of separation between Him and the sinner. Each and every
sin had to be atoned for.
Verse 12 tells us that Pilate tried harder to set Jesus free. He
could not find reason to put Jesus to death, but the Jews told him that if
he lets Jesus go he would not be a friend of Caesar. The Jews pointed out
to Pilate that anyone who claims to be a king can’t be on the same side
as Caesar, and if Pilate sides with Jesus, then Pilate himself would be
committing treason. Pilate could not refute this argument.
In verse 13 we see Pilate had Jesus brought outside to the courtyard
where their was a special platform with seats on it called the Stone
Pavement or Gabbatha. Gabbatha is an Aramaic word with uncertain origins.
Here Pilate would act as the judge in this matter. He’d sit in the
judges seat and bring forth a verdict.
In verse 14 Pilate says, "here is your king". The Jews
refused to accept Jesus as their king and tell Pilate that they have no
king but Caesar. How ironic. Those proud Jews would never admit that
Caesar was their king until now when it was convenient for them.
You can see right up to the end that Pilate could not really find
any fault in Jesus. He asks the Jews, "should I crucify your
king." It was at this point when the Jews responded by saying they
have no king but Caesar.
In verse 16 John tells us that Pilate "handed Him over to them
to be crucified". This does not mean that the Jews were the ones who
took Jesus and actually killed Him. "Handing Him over" means
giving into their will. It was the Roman soldiers who took Jesus and
killed Him while the Jews followed and watched.
The Crucifixion (ch. 19:17-28)
Verse 17 tells us that Jesus was led away to his death by the
soldiers, that would be Roman soldiers. In those days when a person was
executed they were led through city streets and went outside of town,
normally a busy intersection and were killed where many people could see.
This was a very public event. The criminal normally carried his own cross
as Jesus did here. Jesus was killed the same day He was sentenced
Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, which is Aramaic for the Place of
the Skull, a place where executions took place.
In verse 18 John tells us that Jesus was killed with two criminals,
one on His right side, and the other on His left side. This completes the
humiliation of Jesus, the Son of God. He came from Heaven where He was
completely one with God the Father. He left that place of oneness and
became a man, born in a barn, raised in a hick town, lived a poor and
lowly life, and was killed as a criminal with the burden of sin on His
shoulders.
Verse 19 tells us that Pilate had a sign posted to the cross where
Jesus died. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews". It
was written in Latin, Greek and Aramaic. This meant that most, if not all
people would be able to read this sign.
The Jews protested to Pilate and wanted him to reword the sign to
say that Jesus "claimed" to be king of the Jews. Pilate replied
by saying, "what I have written, I have written." Pilate wasn’t
going to change his mind. Did Pilate believe that Jesus was king of the
Jews? We don’t know. I think he put this sign on the cross partly to
spite the Jews. He succeeded at that. Yet deep in his heart I believe he
really wondered about the validity of Jesus’ claim. We know from history
that Pilate was removed from his position and recalled to Rome and was
dismissed as a government official, most likely because of wrong doing.
Tradition has it that he eventually committed suicide.
From verse 23 onward we see that four soldiers divided Jesus’
clothes. There is much speculation just how this happened, and how many
pieces of clothes Jesus wore. We know there were four soldiers, and we
know that Jesus’ undergarment was special in the sense that it was
seamless. In verse 24 we learn that the soldiers decided not to tear this
seamless garment, suggesting that they could have torn his outer garment
into four sections. Soldiers often took anything that had value from the
person being executed. They decided to draw lots to see who won this piece
of clothing.
The dividing of Jesus’ clothes and the drawing of lots was in
fulfillment of Psa. 22:18. You can see how detailed prophecy can be at
times. This is also interesting in the sense of how the Psalms is seen
from a prophet nature. If you read the Psalms you understand that it first
applied to the writer but beyond that there is the prophetic nature to
these words. If you read Psa. 22 you will see a description of Jesus on
the cross.
John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit interprets Psa. 22:18
for us. In doing so, we learn that this verse, and probably the whole of
Psa. 22 is prophetic. We also learn that other portions of the Psalms
could thus be prophetic as well.
In verse 25 we see the NIV mention the fact that 4 women stood near
the cross, along with John. Some suggest because of the Greek sentence
structure that there were only 3 woman, but I will not elaborate on this
point.
What is interesting is what Jesus said on the cross. The other
gospels say that these people stood afar off, not really by the cross.
John, who was there, said that they stood close to the cross. Most likely
these people were afar off at first but at some point in time when people
began to disburse they’d have the chance to get closer, which they did.
At that point Jesus speaks to them from the cross.
Here Jesus is in the moment of complete agony and torture and He is
still thinking of others. He says to Mary His mother, "dear woman,
here is your son". He then says to John, "here is your
mother". From that point onward John looked after Mary as if she was
his biological mother, at the request of Jesus. Jesus was looking out for
His earthly mother while dying on the cross.
You might want to note that Jesus calls Mary as He often did, (John
2 – at the wedding) "woman", not "mother". This very
fact should say something to Catholic theology that makes Mary the
"mother of God". I believe Jesus understood Mary to be his
earthly mother only, and nothing more. Beyond this she was a woman, not
unlike any other woman, except they had a special bond. Jesus never made a
big deal about Mary being His earthly mother, but He did provide for her
in these last moments by asking John to take care of her.
Why would Jesus ask John to take care of Mary? We know a little
about the personalities of some of the disciples. We know that Peter was
impulsive, maybe not very sensitive. From what we know of John, he is very
pastoral, very caring, probably gentle and caring. Maybe this is why Jesus
and John had a special relationship. John’s personality landed itself to
caring, and especially caring for Mary.
The Death Of Jesus (ch. 19:28-37)
In verses 28 to 30 we see the last moments of Jesus’ life. John
tells us that Jesus now knew that everything was finished, that is, all
His work to bring salvation for us was over. John also says that to
fulfill Scripture Jesus told the soldiers that He was thirsty. We know of
no such Scripture so there is debate over just what this phrase means.
Some suggest that this whole event of Jesus dying on the cross was in
fulfillment of Scripture, and not just the telling of the soldiers that He
was thirsty.
The soldiers dipped a sponge into a jar of old wine that had turned
to vinegar , put it on a stick and shoved it into Jesus’ mouth. I’m
sure that didn’t quench Jesus’ thirst. It is most likely that Jesus
had nothing to eat or drink since the night before when He ate with His
disciples.
Verse 28 begins with the word "later". Later means, after
Jesus spoke to John and Mary and most likely after the three hours of
darkness that came over the earth. In these three hours Jesus bore the
sins of the world. There was more than physical darkness on earth, but a
great spiritual darkness that permeated the spiritual universe as well.
After the vinegar touched Jesus’ lips He spoke His last three
words before He died. "It is finished" – three of the most
important words in history. Atoning for the sins of all mankind was now
accomplished. John then tells us that Jesus bowed His head and gave up His
spirit. Jesus died.
Verse 31 says that it was the "day of preparation",
meaning preparation for the next day, the Sabbath, that would actually
begin at dusk. The Jews did not want the bodies of Jesus and the two
criminals to remain on the cross on the Sabbath. They wanted the bodies
disposed of right away, thus they asked the soldiers to break the legs of
the three men which would cause them to die quicker. The Romans normally
left the bodies on the cross to rot. Such a thing was also against the Law
of Moses.
John speaks of "a special Sabbath". This particular
Sabbath was special because this was the Passover Sabbath.
The soldiers complied with the Jews request and broke the legs of
the two criminals but when they came to Jesus, they noticed that He was
dead already and therefore didn’t break His legs. Yet one of the
soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with his sword. John notes that blood and
water came spewing out from Jesus.
Verse 35 says that the man who saw this gives testimony of this and
it is true. Of course the man that John is speaking about is himself. This
is one of those many verses that John speaks of himself, but not directly.
John goes on to state that the testimony is true and that this man
relates these things to the reader so the reader can believe as he
believes. This is the reason why John wrote his account so that many
others after him would believe as a result. His writings have always been
one of the first books that is suggested for a new Christian to read.
All the way through his account John tells us that certain things
happened to fulfill Scripture. He states two more example here in verses
36 and 37. Not having Jesus’ bones broken fulfilled Exod. 12:46, Num.
9:12, Psa. 34:20, and those looking on Him who they pierced fulfills Zech.
12:10
The Burial Of Jesus (ch. 19:38-42)
In verse 38 John introduces us to a man called Joseph of Arimathea.
He was a rich man and part of the Sanhedrin. John also tells us that he
was a secret believer because he feared the Jews, meaning, he feared his
colleagues in the Sanhedrin.
The Jewish leadership at this point already asked Pilate to have the
bodies of the three men removed from the crosses. It must have been soon
after that Joseph overcame his fear and went to Pilate and asked him if he
could take Jesus’ body away and give him a proper burial. Joseph came
out of his closet so to speak and was taking a major jump of faith.
Joseph was not alone in the burial process. His friend Nicodemus who
met Jesus by night was also with him. It appears then that Nicodemus
became a disciple as well. Matthew and Mark also tell us that certain
women were still at the tomb. There is no specific mention of John still
being at the tomb but my guess is he was, from what he has said.
It is note worthy that non of the other eleven apostles were at the
tomb. They had left in their time of trial.
In verse 39 we see that Nicodemus brought 75 pounds worth of spices
to anoint and prepare Jesus’ body for burial. There was a brand new,
never used burial tomb close by so they buried Jesus there. John doesn’t
tell us but Matthew does, that this tomb was owned by Joseph.
Joseph and Nicodemus and the rest must have hurried to get Jesus off
the cross and into the tomb in time before sundown which would begin the
Sabbath. John notes one reason why they chose Joseph’s tomb and that was
because it was close by. But since Matthew tells us the tomb belonged to
Joseph, that also played a part in the choice of where Jesus was to be
buried.
The Psalms note that Jesus’ body did not suffer decay. Being
placed in a never before used tomb would go along with this. Jesus’ body
did not suffer decay and there was no hint of decay around him from a
previous burial.