< John 19 >

Pilate had Jesus scourged v.1,John 19:1XWaiting for response 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.John 19:2-3XWaiting for response Pilate brought him before the people, emphasising he was an innocent man vs.4-5John 19:4-5XWaiting for response and their king vs.13-14,John 19:13-14XWaiting for response but they clamoured for his crucifixion v.15,John 19:15XWaiting for response professing they had no king but Caesar v.15.John 19:15XWaiting for response Thus they rejected their own Messiah, God’s anointed king whom they also knew declared himself to be the Son of God v.7.John 19:7XWaiting for response This information frightened Pilate v.8John 19:8XWaiting for response 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.John 19:11XWaiting for response Pilate consequently sought to release Jesus but soon sent him to be crucified v.16John 19:16XWaiting for response because he feared the charge against himself of treason against Caesar v.12.John 19:12XWaiting for response

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

The indictment Pilate wrote above the cross was “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” v.19John 19:19XWaiting for response which was copied and translated into three different languages v.20John 19:20XWaiting for response 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.26John 19:26XWaiting for response 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).Luke 2:35XWaiting for response Jesus was concerned for his mother and he committed her to the care of the apostle whom he loved v.27.John 19:27XWaiting for response

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.31John 19:31XWaiting for response 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.42John 19:42XWaiting for response 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.