Chapter Introduction
John provided more detail of Jesus standing before Pilate than the synoptic gospels. He told us about Pilate but didn’t discuss Jesus’ other confrontations with the Jewish leaders. It appears that the only reason Annas was mentioned was to show the place of Peter’s denial.
In 18:24, Jesus was sent to Caiaphas. This was likely the Sanhedrin. He was then led from Caiaphas to the Praetorium to meet with Pilate. Luke 23:1-6 tells us that Pilate heard all kinds of accusations, one of which was that Jesus stirred up the people of Galilee. Pilate saw an opportunity to pass this problem to someone else. Galilee was Herod’s jurisdiction. Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, who was in Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus didn’t speak to Herod, who only wanted to see Jesus do a miracle.
Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other. (Luke 23:11-12)
It's fascinating that enemies find common ground in their rejection of Jesus. Looking around, we can see the same thing today: darkness will always partner with darkness when standing against the light. Mortal enemies will stand together to war against God.
John 19:1-3
Luke tells us that Pilate wanted to chastise Jesus and release him. This chastisement was a light scourging. A “light scourging” was only considered light in contrast to a deadly one. I suspect one could only call it “light” if someone else received it. I'm pretty sure no one ever walked away saying, “Well, that light scourging wasn’t too bad.” The light scourging left lifelong scars. Those receiving them carried the message of Rome's seriousness regarding their laws.
The scholars say there were three levels of flogging administered by Rome:
- The fustigation: This was a less severe beating prescribed for relatively light offenses: hooliganism, children, fools, slaves. This came with a severe warning.
- This beating was with a rod or staff called a Roman lictor.
- The flagellation: This was a brutal flogging prescribed to more serious criminals,
- The verberatio: This was the worst scourging of all and for the worst criminals. It was associated with other punishments, including crucifixion.
- This scourge used in the flagellation and verberatio was the same. It was a whip made with leather straps. The leather straps then had lumps of lead and were barbed with pieces of bone. This was a vicious whip made to induce the most severe of punishments. The flesh was torn, and bones and internal organs were exposed. It wasn’t uncommon for the victim’s entrails to fall out. Many died while being whipped.
John tells us here that Pilate scourged Jesus. He uses a fourth word, “mastigoe” meaning flog as punishment. Some say this word is a category that includes the worst two of the above punishments. It was likely the flagellation because he had not yet sentenced Jesus to crucifixion. Pilate hoped to bloody him up a bit to pacify the Jews and then set him free.
The soldiers, normally quite bored, played games and sought entertainment to pass the hours. Jesus becomes their entertainment. They dressed Him as a mock king, complete with a crown and purple robe. Their mockery was also ironic. Thorns were associated with sin from the outset of the fall of man. Jesus was about to bear the sin of the world. The crown is very emblematic of what He was about to bear. A royal purple robe marked the divinity and royalty of King Jesus. They sarcastically cried “Hail” in mockery as they intended to portray Him as a vassal prince. The word used to describe them striking Jesus is one that specifically means a blow to the face with an open hand.
Here was the man, wearing the crown of thorns that symbolized the curse of sin that originated in the garden. He wore the purple robe of majesty, though he was clothed with it in mockery. In reality, he was deserving of the finest robe. He was bloodied from the scourge. We can imagine that precious blood dripping from under the robe while it also soaked through. By now, His face would have been swollen from the punches he had taken, and He probably didn't look like the same man. The soldiers went beyond their orders.
NOTE: See Isaiah 52:14 – Jesus was beaten beyond recognition – he didn’t even look like a man.
Pilate brought Jesus before the Jews, hoping to elicit some sympathy by which he could free Jesus and be done with this. He probably thought after he was flogged, they would accept that as punishment and be done with the whole affair. “Behold the Man!” was probably more in the tone of “look at this poor fellow.” He may have purposefully been pointing out the weakness and humanity of Jesus as a man.
Pilate is almost desperate to get out of this. At this point in time, he had declared Jesus to be innocent several times. The governor’s verdict was “not guilty,” which normally would stand.
John 19:6-7
The Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16). He had claimed equality with God. The penalty for blasphemy was stoning. However, since the Jews had no authority to perform capital punishment, they were yelling, "Crucify Him; crucify Him!" They wanted Rome’s worst punishment for Jesus.
Caesar was referred to as a son of God, referring to him as godlike and having ultimate authority as the king over all the earth. The Jews believed Jesus was professing to be God’s chosen king, Yahweh’s representative on earth, to sit on the throne of David.
Crucifixion would only be legal and right if he were found guilty of a crime against Rome. Pilate was frustrated with the Jew’s insistence and their disregard for this innocent man. He was aware this mob could easily get out of control. Pilate was not known for his compassion or humanity, so for him to feel some sense of wrong towards Jesus was meaningful.
John 19:8-11
Pilate had been afraid. Now, he was even more afraid. Why?
Romans believed in many gods. Standing before a man who claimed to be the Son of God, particularly after you had Him whipped and beaten, may have struck fear in him.
His wife’s dream may have come to mind again.
Finally, and probably most prominent, a Jewish uprising against Roman rule amid the tremendous crowd would be a political disaster. It would be seen as Pilate’s failure in Rome and certainly affect his standing in the eyes of Tiberius Caesar. He feared losing control. His career was being threatened by people he despised.
Pilate went in again to speak with Jesus. Pilate thought he knew power and authority. He thought he was in control of the events of that day.
Jesus was silent.
Pilate had power over Jesus. He stood as the ultimate judge of the case. His decree would stand. He could judge this strictly on political grounds. Pilate could have Jesus executed or released.
Jesus informed Pilate that his power was given by the Father. Since Jesus was one with the Father, the power Pilate possessed was given by Him. It was temporary, and He would be judged by how that power was used. However, the greater sin belonged to the one who delivered Jesus to Pilate.
Pilate had not been exposed to all the proof that Jesus was who He said He was. Those who delivered Him to Pilate knew all these things, and they had the greater sin. This could be talking about Caiaphas or Judas (or both). Caiaphas had ignored all the signs that this was the Messiah and plotted to have him killed.
Even though these things were being done to fulfill prophecy and the purpose of Jesus’ coming, there was still personal responsibility for sin for Caiaphas, Judas, and others who pressed Jesus toward this unlawful and brutal death.
John 19:12
Pilate saw something in Jesus. Courage, authenticity, determination, or maybe Pilate came to understand the truth of Jesus. He again sought to release Him. Pilate had that authority but not the political courage.
The Jewish leadership said Palate was no friend of Caesars if he let Jesus go free. The Jews knew what buttons to push. A friend of Caesar was more of a title than a statement. A friend of Caesar was one who was in the trusted inner circle, someone who was moving up in authority and status. A friend of Caesar’s would have to spend too much time in Judea before being promoted.
The Jews were threatening to report to Caesar that Pilate had not properly punished a man claiming to have usurped the power of Rome. Since Pilate had already been in trouble with Rome, Tiberius Caesar, who was known to be paranoid, had kept an eye on him. Pilate didn’t need any troubling reports to make their way to Rome.
John 19:13-16
The fear of losing status with Tiberius solidified Pilate’s stance. He brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat. This was where an official verdict would be rendered. This was an elevated, paved platform connected to the governor’s residence. It was known as The Pavement. Gabbatha means elevated platform, a word used in the vernacular to refer to a Roman tribunal. Pilate sat in judgment of the One who would judge the whole world – incredible.
John pointed out that this happened about the sixth hour on preparation day. The Jewish reckoning of time would put this at noon, beginning the day at 6 am. The Roman reckoning would begin at midnight, which meant it was 6 am. Mark said that Jesus was crucified at 9 am.
Preparation day was the day before the Sabbath or a festival. That day was the time of preparation for the Passover lamb. All that day, Passover lambs were being slaughtered. Every one of them was a picture of Jesus.
Pilate presented Jesus as their king.
While people all through the city were slaughtering their Passover lamb, these Jews were calling for the slaughter of the Lamb of God.
Pilate continues to mock them and their trumped-up charges by referring to Jesus as their King. He didn’t know how right he was. Once again, he asked if he was to crucify their king. Once again, they cried out that they had no king but Caesar. How ironic. The Roman Caesar was never called king by anyone, especially the Jews. Suddenly, they decided to appear as loyal Romans.
Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified. He would have been led away again and scourged as they prepared to crucify Him. This would have been the third type of scourging, the worst one. This was the punishment of the condemned. Many men condemned to die on the cross never saw the cross when they died during scourging.
Crucifixion was the standard execution for slaves, revolutionaries, or other provincials who were not Roman citizens.
The man condemned to be crucified had to carry the crossbeam of their cross. Four soldiers were usually assigned to perform the crucifixion. As Jesus carried the crossbeam, he walked with a soldier on either side, one in front and one in back. A sign was made stating the charges for which this person would be crucified. That sign might be held by the soldier in front, or it might be hung around the neck of the prisoner.
John 19:17-22
The condemned criminal normally carried their cross. This was on the cross-beam portion only. The synoptic gospels all tell us that Simon the Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus. This would be because he was weak from loss of blood after being beaten and scourged. We see John prioritize his purpose and message again. He left this fact out, not because it wasn’t important. It surely was for several reasons. Simon was forever changed. His son Rufus became a leader in the church. Since the Synoptics covered this, John stayed on the purpose of his message. Jesus was always moving toward the cross. He was always in control. He was always on a mission.
The early church fathers looked at Jesus carrying His cross to the sacrifice in obedience to His Father and likened it to Isaac carrying the wood of the sacrifice to the top of the mountain at the will of his Father.
Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”
And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” (Genesis 22:6-8)
Abraham with his only son seem to be performing a prophetic act that foreshadows what would happen on that same hill a few thousand years later.
Golgotha was less than a quarter mile from Herod’s palace, where Pilate handed Jesus over to the executioners. The Hebrew name is Golgotha, known as The Place of the Skull.
They crucified Him.
All the gospels state the crucifixion simply, without fanfare. They offer no details. All the audience of that day would know the gruesome details. This was a shameful thing not to be talked about in polite conversation.
All the gospels mention the other two that were crucified with Jesus. The word translated as robber is really “plundering rebel.” These men were insurrectionists, rebels of Rome. (They didn’t crucify robbers.) They may have been Barabbas’ partners. Jesus’ place between them is a fulfillment of Psalm 22 – “He was numbered among transgressors”
The Crucifixion
This is the most significant event in human history.
Several stakes would be on the site. Each one was about ten feet high. Each with a notch near the top for the cross beam to fit in. This would require a standard notch so each stake was similar, and the cross beams were in spec, so everything was reusable. The condemned would lie down and be tied, nailed, or both to the cross beam. It would be hoisted up and placed in the notch of the stake and secured there by ropes.
The stake had a shelf for the feet. This allowed the victim to push up and relieve the pressure on the arms and shoulders, allowing the diaphragm to breathe. Each push would be excruciating, with nails driven through the feet.
Sometimes, a small board was added to the stake that served as a kind of seat. This provided a false hope of relief. In the short term, the board might temporarily support some weight and relieve the suffering. In the long term, it lengthened the process and brought more suffering.
Crucifixion was invented by the Persians and perfected by the Romans. Sometimes, the criminal took up to 9 days to die on the cross. It is one of the most excruciating ways to die. Every step was designed to maximize shame and suffering to be an example to all not to mess with Rome. The message of every victim was, “Don’t do what I did.” However, for Jesus, the message of the cross was, "I do this willingly so you won't have to. Follow me.”
According to Jewish tradition dating from the second century or earlier, Passover lambs would be hung up on iron hooks and flayed. Jesus here is hanged.
Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary:
New Testament (Jn 19:18). InterVarsity Press.
The titulus stated the charges that brought this person to crucifixion. This was likely the same sign that was either around the victim’s neck or carried by a Roman soldier on the way to the cross. The sign read what was designated by Pilate.
Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews
The sign was ironic. It was Pilate’s final poke at the Jewish leaders who forced him into this. He knew it would make them mad. The sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. Why? These three languages were the languages of the world at that time. Hebrew for most of the Judeans. Greek was the common language of commerce and writing. Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire. The announcement was for the entire world.
The chief priests and Jews didn’t like Pilate’s sign. It implied He was their King, not that He claimed to be their king. It’s notable that they felt threatened by this Man who was now stripped naked, beaten, and crucified. Every man's perspective would agree that He couldn’t be a king because he didn’t have a kingdom. He can’t be a king because He was dying on a cross. When, in fact, Jesus was coming into his kingdom by His very death.
Pilate stood by his inscription as if to say, “Live with it.”
John 19:23-24
The four executioners were entitled to the clothing of those they put to death. The clothing would have included clothes, belt, sandals, etc. They divided these things but then came to the tunic. The tunic was worn next to the body, a sort of undergarment. They decided not to tear it because it was seamless. John may have been pointing to the priestly undergarments of Leviticus 21:10. The solders decided to cast lots for the tunic, fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22:18.
John 19:25-27
There were four women and John near the cross.
- Jesus’ mother, Mary.
- Mary’s sister
- Mary the wife (or language allows mother) of Clopas
- Mary Magdalene, who Jesus delivered from seven demons.
It was the burden of the firstborn to take care of his mother. Jesus was passing this on to John, the one who was with him at the cross. This was an oral testament of his desire after His death. For a disciple to be called upon to do this would be considered a great honor. Tradition and historical documents say John cared for Mary until she died many years later.
***
I imagine the old man John remembering all this as he wrote this gospel. He probably relived every moment, every word, every punch and blow of the scourge. Every part of that day became part of the setting for one of the most profound moments in the history of the world.
John probably remembered the weather, the sound of the scourge striking flesh, the grunt of the soldier doing his work. I'm sure He remembered the surreal and defining moment of the hammer striking the nails. And the dull thud of the cross as it thumped into the notch of the stake, and the groan as the nails tore at the hands of Jesus.
To his dying day, I bet John remembered the eyes of Jesus when he looked at him and put Mary under his care.
The chief priests and Jews mocked Jesus.
“He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” (Mark 15:31)
The crowds said, “He saved others but couldn’t save Himself.”(Matthew)
While others said,
“Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down form the cross!” (Mark 15:29)
Luke tells us of the conversation of the criminals and one being promised Paradise when he trusts in Jesus from the cross (Luke 22:43).
John 19:28-30
This thirst and subsequent drink fulfill the prophecy of Psalm 22. This could also be related to Psalm 69:21. The sour wine was cheap wine vinegar, the drink of the soldiers. Hyssop would be a strange method to offer a drink. This may be a play on words to present the wine, symbolic of the blood, on the hyssop, used at the Passover to paint the blood on the doorframes.
“It is finished” is the word “tetelestai,” which means it is accomplished. It was used when a contract was fulfilled, or a loan was completely repaid. “It is finished" are the sweetest words any sinner could hope to hear. They are the words of freedom from the bondage of sin.
At the moment of death, the sin debt is paid, and we can have a relationship with God once again. He gave up his spirit willingly – it wasn’t taken. What an incredible moment that must have been.
In his novel, the Chain, Paul Wellman shared a scintillating story attributed to “Southern Negroes.” It is known as the “fourth temptation.” According to this beautiful legend, after Jesus had emerged victoriously from His wilderness temptations; after living courageously and triumphantly throughout His ministry; after His apostles failed, enemies and friends conspired in crime; then, while Jesus was hanging in excruciating pain on the cross, the devil returned and whispered in His ear, “They aren’t worth it, Lord.” It was then, according to the story, that the Master was heard to say, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Jones, G. C. (1986).
1000 illustrations for preaching and teaching (p. 91).
Broadman & Holman Publishers.
John 19:31
The crucified that were bound with ropes might last days. The maximum amount of agony and suffering was the goal of Rome. The bodies would be left on the cross. Animals and birds would feast until there was nothing left unless someone took the bodies down.
The Jews didn't mind having Jesus crucified; they just didn't want His body hanging on the tree during their religious celebration. That would go against their religious laws (Dut 21:23). It is amazing all the laws were broken to get Jesus on the cross, but now they are worrying about their law.
It wasn't unusual for the Romans to break the legs of the victims on the cross in circumstances like this. That would speed up death because the victim couldn't push up with their feet to relieve the pressure on the upper body and get a breath. With their legs broken, they would eventually suffocate.
The soldiers came and broke the legs of the other two men. When they got to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead, and they didn’t break His legs. In Psalm 34:20, we see that the Messiah would have no bones broken. In Exodus 12:46 one of the requirements of the Passover lamb was it couldn’t have any broken bones. These things were fulfilled by these soldiers. Not only did they not do what was normal in breaking the legs, but they pierced him with a spear, which was completely abnormal. Water and blood flowed from this wound.
Note: It's interesting to note that at the Passover was pierced with a skewer for roasting. At meal the Rabbis mixed water with the wine.
Note: John also noted that scripture was fulfilled in that they would look on Him whom they pierced. (Zechariah 12:10).
Eyewitness accounts testified to these things. We can know they are true and believe them. First-hand testimony is important to every culture. These things have been testified so scripture may be fulfilled.
(In Hebrew, there is an aleph and tau not translated between the “me” and “who.” The aleph and tau would translate in Greek to an alpha and omega. Translated, the sentence would say: “They will look upon me, the alpha and omega, who they have pierced.”)
John 19:38
Joseph was a rich man and a member of the Sanhedrin. This gave him access to Pilate and the ability to request the body of Jesus. He was a very powerful man who had kept his discipleship secret up until then. His love for Jesus was more important to him than anything else and he stepped forward and asked for the body of the Lord. It's worth noting that those who walked with Jesus for three years were not to be found.
By law, Joseph could only get the body if he was a member of the family, so we don’t know if he was in some way family, family was with him, or a special provision was made. He was family in the spiritual sense.
Nicodemus, who first came in the dark of night, now came in the daylight. He brought supplies for burial. The one hundred pounds is about seventy-five of our pounds. They bound the body in strips of linen, treated with spices as was customary with Jewish burial practice. These spices were to cover the smell of decay during the mourning process. The Jews had to get this done before sunset. They would not tend to the body until the first day of the week. They would return then, finish the job, and mourn for Him.
The use of the new tomb fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 53:9). Only the wealthy had tombs. The wealthiest had a new tomb. The body would be placed in the tomb on a slab of rock. Normally, the family would return in a year. The flesh would be gone, the bones gathered and put in a box and deposited in a slot in the wall. Many family members could be buried in the tomb.
Read Psalms 27, 35 & 40
©2005, 2009, 2013, 2023 Doug Ford
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