< John 19 >

Pilate had Jesus scourged v.1,Waiting for response for John 19:1 as was the treatment of men before their crucifixion to weaken them, and soldiers pressed a crown of thorns on his head and clothed him in a purple robe in mock recognition of him as the King of the Jews vs.2-3.Waiting for response for John 19:2-3 Pilate brought him before the people, emphasising he was an innocent man vs.4-5Waiting for response for John 19:4-5 and their king vs.13-14,Waiting for response for John 19:13-14 but they clamoured for his crucifixion v.15,Waiting for response for John 19:15 professing they had no king but Caesar v.15.Waiting for response for John 19:15 Thus they rejected their own Messiah, God’s anointed king whom they also knew declared himself to be the Son of God v.7.Waiting for response for John 19:7 This information frightened Pilate v.8Waiting for response for John 19:8 and when he questioned Jesus he was assured that he could do nothing against him if it was not in God’s purpose v.11.Waiting for response for John 19:11 Pilate consequently sought to release Jesus but soon sent him to be crucified v.16Waiting for response for John 19:16 because he feared the charge against himself of treason against Caesar v.12.Waiting for response for John 19:12

When Jesus was crucified, a number of specific Old Testament scriptures were fulfilled: the soldiers took Jesus’ clothing and gambled for his robe v.24Waiting for response for John 19:24 (Psalm 22:18);Waiting for response for Psalm 22:18 they gave him vinegar to drink v.29Waiting for response for John 19:29 (Psalm 69:21);Waiting for response for Psalm 69:21 they did not brake his legs vs.32-36Waiting for response for John 19:32-36 (Psalm 34:20);Waiting for response for Psalm 34:20 they pierced his hands and feet v.37Waiting for response for John 19:37 (Psalm 22:16Waiting for response for Psalm 22:16 and Zechariah 12:10);Waiting for response for Zechariah 12:10 and, he was crucified with malefactors v.18Waiting for response for John 19:18 and buried in a rich man’s sepulchre v.38Waiting for response for John 19:38 (Isaiah 53:9).Waiting for response for Isaiah 53:9

The indictment Pilate wrote above the cross was “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” v.19Waiting for response for John 19:19 which was copied and translated into three different languages v.20Waiting for response for John 19:20 which explains the slightly different wording given in the other three gospels. The message, however, was the same - that Jesus was the King of the Jews - but the chief priests wanted the charge changed to “He said, I am the King of the Jews”. Both of these statements are true - Jesus is the king of Israel and he declared this plainly of himself as it is a vital element of the gospel of the kingdom of God which he preached.

The only close associates of Jesus near him as he died were the apostle whom he loved v.26Waiting for response for John 19:26 and his own mother, who must have been devastatingly distressed, especially as she did not know the reason for the crucifixion in the purpose of God, although she had been forewarned of the agony (Luke 2:35).Waiting for response for Luke 2:35 Jesus was concerned for his mother and he committed her to the care of the apostle whom he loved v.27.Waiting for response for John 19:27

The crucifixion took place on the day of preparation for the feast of unleavened bread which was an holy day and a Sabbath rest v.31Waiting for response for John 19:31 with the weekly Sabbath following the next day. This explains the apparent error sometimes put forward that Jesus could not have been in the grave for three days and three nights because there are not that many days and nights between Friday and Sunday when he rose from the dead. In fact, Jesus was crucified on the Thursday, the day of preparation, with Friday being the high day Sabbath, Saturday the normal weekly Sabbath, and Sunday the first day of the week when Jesus rose early in the morning.

It is also important to note that it was Jesus himself that was in the grave v.42Waiting for response for John 19:42 because some think that, while his body was in the tomb, somehow he was somewhere else. In fact, Jesus himself was buried for three days and then he himself was brought to life again.