John 19 - NIV Essentials Study Bible

19:6 I find no basis for a charge against him. For the third time Pilate proclaimed Jesus’ innocence (see 18:38; 19:4). Luke also records this threefold proclamation (Lk 23:4, 14, 22).

19:11 greater sin. That of Caiaphas (not Judas, who was only a means). But “greater” implies that there was a lesser sin, so Pilate’s sin was also real.

19:17 Carrying his own cross. A cross might be shaped like a T, an X, a Y, or an I, as well as like the traditional form. A condemned man would normally carry a beam of it to the place of execution. Somewhere along the way Simon of Cyrene took Jesus’ cross (see Mk 15:21 and note), probably because Jesus was weakened by the flogging.

19:18 they crucified him. See note on Mk 15:24. As with the scourging, John describes this horror with one Greek word. None of the Gospel writers dwells on the physical sufferings of Jesus. one on each side. Perhaps meant as a final insult, but it brings out the important truth that in his death Jesus was identified with sinners.

19:30 It is finished. Apparently the loud cry of Mt 27:50; Mk 15:37. Jesus died as a victor and had “finished” (v. 28) what he came to do (cf. 17:4). gave up his spirit. An unusual way of describing death, perhaps suggesting an act of will (cf. 10:17–18 and note).

19:31 to have the legs broken. To hasten death, because the victim then could not put any weight on his legs, and breathing would be difficult.

19:34 pierced Jesus’ side. Probably to make doubly sure that Jesus was dead, but perhaps simply an act of brutality (see v. 37; Isa 53:5; Zec 12:10; cf. Ps 22:16). blood and water. The result of the spear piercing the pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart) and the heart itself.

19:36–37 scripture. Again John observes God’s overruling in the fulfillment of Scripture. It was extraordinary that Jesus was the only one of the three whose legs were not broken and that he suffered an unusual spear thrust that did not break a bone.