John 19 - The King James Study Bible

19:1–3. Scourging (whipping) often preceded crucifixion. The Roman flagellum consisted of a whip, split into several strips, into which sharp bones were embedded so as to cut the flesh. The crown of thorns, the purple robe, and the mocking Hail were used to ridicule His claim to be a king (cf. 18:36). When the soldiers hit Him in the face and body it was probably with their fists (contrast with 18:22).

19:7. Here the Jews acknowledge the real reason they favor Christ’s crucifixion: He claimed to be God, and they were accusing Him of blasphemy (Lev. 24:16).

19:9. No answer: Compare to Isaiah 53:7.

19:10,11. Pilate’s assertion and Jesus’ response are reminiscent of Jesus’ third exchange with Satan (Matt. 4:8–10). God alone is Sovereign of the universe.

19:14. The preparation was on Friday before the Sabbath, so that no work would have to be done on the Sabbath. The sixth hour: John uses Roman time, which would be six o’clock in the morning.

19:15. No king but Caesar is said by the chief priests or Sadducees (politicians). Would any Pharisee have been willing to make such a blasphemous statement when God alone was to have been their King?

19:17. Jesus carries His own cross, as was the custom, to the place of a skull or Golgotha (cf. Matt. 27:33). His path through Jerusalem has been called the Via Dolorosa (“Sorrowful Way”).

19:18–27. These verses record the first three hours on the cross, from nine o’clock in the morning to noon.

19:23. This is a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18. Psalm 22 is a messianic Psalm. See especially verses 1a,7,8, 14–18.

19:25. Four women attend the Crucifixion, and they remain while the disciples flee (except for John, who returns). Several women, including these mentioned here, have accompanied Jesus and His disciples on their journeys, taking care of their daily needs.

19:28–30. These verses record the second three hours on the cross from noon to three in the afternoon. Here is the fulfillment of Psalm 69:21. Notice that the only words Jesus spoke indicating pain or discomfort were I thirst. It was not that He did not suffer, but only that He did not complain.

19:30. It is finished: His passive (Lat. patior, “suffering”) ministry is now completed. (See the note on 17:4.) The words of Jesus on the cross are significant: The first words concern the Roman soldiers who were crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). The second statement is made to the penitent thief: “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). The third statement comes while looking at His grief-stricken mother: “Woman, behold thy son!” To John He says, “Behold thy mother!” (vv. 26,27). The fourth cry is addressed to God at the ninth hour and comes from Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34). The fifth statement is “I thirst” (v. 28), followed by His taking of vinegar from a sponge. The sixth cry is “It is finished” (v. 30). (See comments on 17:4.) The seventh cry was addressed to His Father: “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

19:31. The preparation was Friday, the day before the sabbath (cf. vv. 14,42). (See especially Mark 15:42.) It was a high day because it was the Sabbath during the Passover week. The Jews did not mind putting an innocent man to death, even the Son of God, but they were very careful not to break the Sabbath.

19:36. A bone of him shall not be broken is a fulfillment of Psalm 34:20. It was also a requirement of the Passover lamb (Ex. 12:46; Num. 9:12) that no bone be broken. Christ is our Passover according to 1 Corinthians 5:7. Compare this with John 1:29, where John calls Him the Lamb of God.

19:37. This verse fulfills Zechariah 12:10.

19:38. The other gospels tell us that Joseph of Arimathaea was rich (Matt. 27:57), and that this accomplishment required boldness (Mark 15:43). Joseph was likely a member of the Sanhedrin. See Luke 23:51.

19:39. Nicodemus did the only anointing of Jesus’ body before the burial (cf. 12:3,7). Jesus was raised before the women arrived on Sunday with the spices.

19:40. Notice that Jesus’ body was wound, not mummy style, but with linen cloths lengthwise, from head to foot, according to the Jewish custom. Lazarus was also wrapped this way, but Lazarus was unable to free himself (11:44) because his hands and feet were tied together.

19:41. The other gospels tell us it was Joseph’s sepulchre (Matt. 27:59,60).

19:42. This work of Joseph and Nicodemus prevented the body of Jesus from being thrown into the valley of Hinnom, as was often the case with the bodies of unclaimed crucified criminals.