John 19 - NIV Quest Study Bible

Flogging was a ruthless punishment in which a person was hit with a leather whip comprised of multiple strands that contained sharp bits of bone or metal embedded in the ends. It left the back raw and bleeding, sometimes exposing bones and organs. Floggings occasionally even caused death.Roman rulers often made judgment calls according to their mood or in response to a bribe. Pilate may have secretly hoped this vicious beating would satisfy the Jews and cause them to give up their demands that Jesus be crucified (Lk 23:16,22).See Matthew 27:27 – 31Mark 15:16 – 20.Pilate was guilty of cowardice and the unjust use of his authority. But Caiaphas was guilty of a greater sin because he knew about Jesus’ miracles and ministry, yet his hatred and envy caused him to condemn Jesus (11:49 – 50). He saw Jesus’ popularity with the people as a threat to the political power that he and the other Jewish leaders enjoyed under the Romans (11:49 – 50). Jesus had earlier made it clear, however, that he would lay down his life freely (10:14 – 17). His death was his own choice.Scripture indicates that this place was located outside the city (Mt 27:32 – 33; Mk 15:21 – 22; Heb 13:12), near a garden area with a tomb (Jn 19:41). Today, no one knows the exact location, although several theories exist. The place of the Skull may have been named for the shape of the hill where it was located or because the word skull represented the deaths that occurred there.See Matthew 27:33 – 44Mark 15:22 – 32Luke 23:33 – 43.No. The whole passage (18:33 — 19:22) is steeped in irony, and this verse is another example of it. Pilate was expressing more frustration and mockery concerning all these trial proceedings. On the one hand, the crowd pressured him into condemning Jesus, even though he thought Jesus was innocent (19:4 – 6). On the other hand, Pilate had no love for Jews and mocked them (19:15). By posting the sign saying jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews, he ironically spoke truth he did not believe.Because he was the firstborn son, Jesus was expected to care for the family after his father died. It’s possible Jesus could have transferred his obligations to a brother, but we can probably assume none of his brothers were present at the crucifixion. So Jesus asked John, the disciple whom he loved like a brother, to assume the role of caring for his mother.See Matthew 27:48,50; Mark 15:36 – 37Luke 23:36,46.Once his legs were broken, the victim could no longer push himself up to catch a breath. Since he was hung on the cross by his arms, the pressure in his chest made breathing impossible, leading to suffocation.John was probably referring to himself — anonymously, as he did on several other occasions. See Who was the other disciple? (18:16). No other disciples are specifically mentioned as being present at the crucifixion, but we know John was standing near the cross (19:26 – 27). He wanted his readers to know he was an eyewitness with a valid testimony.These two apparently kept quiet about their convictions while Jesus was alive. They probably feared being thrown out of the synagogue (7:13; 9:22; 20:19). Now, with Jesus dead, the threat of reprisal was perhaps less likely. Still, to openly ask for Jesus’ body required tremendous courage. Perhaps the miraculous events that accompanied Jesus’ death on the cross gave them the courage to identify publicly with Jesus (12:32).See Matthew 27:57 – 61Mark 15:42 – 47Luke 23:50 – 56.