John — Chapter 19

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1Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

2And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

3And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

4Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

5Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

6When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

8When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

9And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

10Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

11Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

12And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

13When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

14And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

15But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

16Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

17And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

18Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

19And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

20This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

21Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

22Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

24They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

31The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

32Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

35And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

36For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

37And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

38And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

39And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

40Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

42There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

1Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

2And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple garment;

3and they came unto him, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they struck him with their hands.

4And Pilate went out again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him out to you, that ye may know that I find no crime in him.

5Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And [Pilate] saith unto them, Behold, the man!

6When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify [him], crucify [him]! Pilate saith unto them, Take him yourselves, and crucify him: for I find no crime in him.

7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

8When Pilate therefore heard this saying, he was the more afraid;

9and he entered into the Praetorium again, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

10Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee?

11Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin.

12Upon this Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou release this man, thou art not Caesar`s friend: every one that maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

13When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment-seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

14Now it was the Preparation of the passover: it was about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King!

15They therefore cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

16Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified.

17They took Jesus therefore: and he went out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha:

18where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

19And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

20This title therefore read many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city; and it was written in Hebrew, [and] in Latin, [and] in Greek.

21The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

22Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

23The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

24They said therefore one to another, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my garments among them, And upon my vesture did they cast lots.

25These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother`s sister, Mary the [wife] of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own [home].

28After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst.

29There was set there a vessel full of vinegar: so they put a sponge full of the vinegar upon hyssop, and brought it to his mouth.

30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.

31The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high [day]), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and [that] they might be taken away.

32The soldiers therefore came, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him:

33but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

34howbeit one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water.

35And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye also may believe.

36For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

37And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

38And after these things Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave [him] leave. He came therefore, and took away his body.

39And there came also Nicodemus, he who at the first came to him by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.

40So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb wherein was never man yet laid.

42There then because of the Jews` Preparation (for the tomb was nigh at hand) they laid Jesus.

1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged severely.

2The soldiers braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they clothed him in a purple robe.

3They came up to him again and again and said, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him repeatedly in the face.

4Again Pilate went out and said to the Jewish leaders, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no reason for an accusation against him.”

5So Jesus came outside, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Look, here is the man!”

6When the chief priests and their officers saw him, they shouted out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said, “You take him and crucify him! Certainly I find no reason for an accusation against him!”

7The Jewish leaders replied, “We have a law, and according to our law he ought to die because he claimed to be the Son of God!”

8When Pilate heard what they said, he was more afraid than ever,

9and he went back into the governor’s residence and said to Jesus, “Where do you come from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.

10So Pilate said, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have the authority to release you and to crucify you?”

11Jesus replied, “You would have no authority over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”

12From this point on, Pilate tried to release him. But the Jewish leaders shouted out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar! Everyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar!”

13When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus outside and sat down on the judgment seat in the place called “The Stone Pavement” (Gabbatha in Aramaic).

14(Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover, about noon.) Pilate said to the Jewish leaders, “Look, here is your king!”

15Then they shouted out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked, “Shall I crucify your king?” The high priests replied, “We have no king except Caesar!”

16Then Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.So they took Jesus,

17and carrying his own cross he went out to the place called “The Place of the Skull” (called in Aramaic Golgotha).

18There they crucified him along with two others, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle.

19Pilate also had a notice written and fastened to the cross, which read: “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.”

20Thus many of the Jewish residents of Jerusalem read this notice because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the notice was written in Aramaic, Latin, and Greek.

21Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The king of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am king of the Jews.’”

22Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

23Now when the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and made four shares, one for each soldier, and the tunic remained. (Now the tunic was seamless, woven from top to bottom as a single piece.)

24So the soldiers said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but throw dice to see who will get it.” This took place to fulfill the scripture that says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they threw dice.” So the soldiers did these things.

25Now standing beside Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

26So when Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, look, here is your son!”

27He then said to his disciple, “Look, here is your mother!” From that very time the disciple took her into his own home.

28After this Jesus, realizing that by this time everything was completed, said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty!”

29A jar full of sour wine was there, so they put a sponge soaked in sour wine on a branch of hyssop and lifted it to his mouth.

30When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

31Then because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies should not stay on the crosses on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was an especially important one), the Jewish leaders asked Pilate to have the victims’ legs broken and the bodies taken down.

32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men who had been crucified with Jesus, first the one and then the other.

33But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

34But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out immediately.

35And the person who saw it has testified (and his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth), so that you also may believe.

36For these things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled, “Not a bone of his will be broken.”

37And again another scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.”

38After this, Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus (but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he went and took the body away.

39Nicodemus, the man who had previously come to Jesus at night, accompanied Joseph, carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about 75 pounds.

40Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it, with the aromatic spices, in strips of linen cloth according to Jewish burial customs.

41Now at the place where Jesus was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden was a new tomb where no one had yet been buried.

42And so, because it was the Jewish day of preparation and the tomb was nearby, they placed Jesus’ body there.

1So Pilate then took Jesus, and flogged him.

2The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown, and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment.

3They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him.

4Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”

5Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”

6When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against him.”

7The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”

8When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid.

9He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.

10Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?”

11Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”

12At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”

13When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement”, but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.”

14Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”

15They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”

16So then he delivered him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away.

17He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”,

18where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle.

19Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

20Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.

21The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, “I am King of the Jews.”’”

22Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

23Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

24Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. For my cloak they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.

25But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

26Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”

27Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.

28After this, Jesus, seeing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.”

29Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth.

30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.

31Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

32Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him;

33but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was already dead, they didn’t break his legs.

34However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

35He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.

36For these things happened, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.”

37Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”

38After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body.

39Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds.

40So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid.

42Then because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand) they laid Jesus there.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Pilate scourges Jesus and presents Him ("Behold the man!"), delivers Him to crucifixion under the inscription "King of the Jews," Jesus commits His mother to John, declares "It is finished," and is buried in Joseph's garden tomb.

Authorship & Background

Author: The Apostle John — an eyewitness to the crucifixion (v.26,35).
Historical Context: Chapter 19 records the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. John's account is the most detailed of the four Gospels, written by someone who stood at the foot of the cross. He records seven statements Jesus made from the cross (the "Seven Last Words"), though John records only three of them.
Roman Crucifixion: One of the most brutal forms of execution ever devised. The condemned was first scourged — beaten with a flagellum (leather whip embedded with bone and metal) that tore flesh to the bone. Then forced to carry the crossbeam to the execution site. Nailed through the wrists and feet, the victim died of asphyxiation as the body's weight made breathing impossible. Death could take hours or days.
"It Is Finished" (v.30): Greek "tetelestai" — a single word meaning "paid in full," "accomplished," "completed." The same word was stamped on paid bills in the ancient world. Jesus' final word from the cross was not a cry of defeat but a declaration of victory — the work of redemption was complete.
Fulfilled Prophecy: John notes multiple Old Testament prophecies fulfilled at the crucifixion: the soldiers casting lots for His garment (Psalm 22:18), no bones broken (Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, Psalm 34:20), and the piercing (Zechariah 12:10).

Map & Geography

  • The Praetorium (v.9): Pilate's judgment hall in Jerusalem where Jesus was scourged and sentenced.
  • Gabbatha / the Pavement (v.13): The stone pavement where Pilate rendered his verdict. A raised platform for public judgment.
  • Golgotha (v.17): "The place of a skull" — outside Jerusalem's walls. John preserves the Hebrew/Aramaic name.
  • A garden near Golgotha (v.41): Joseph of Arimathea's tomb was in a garden near the crucifixion site — a new tomb where Jesus was buried.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the scourging, the "Ecce Homo" moment, the title on the cross in three languages, Jesus' care for His mother, the meaning of "tetelestai," and the significance of the blood and water from His side.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "It Is Finished" on v.30 (MTP Vol. 4, No. 173) "Tetelestai — it is finished. The debt is paid. The law is satisfied. The prophecies are fulfilled. The sacrifice is complete. Sin is atoned for. Death is conquered. Hell is defeated. It is finished — and because it is finished, you and I may be saved." Sermon: "The Pierced One" on v.34 (MTP Vol. 37, No. 2197) "Blood and water from His side — the blood of atonement and the water of cleansing. Everything we need for salvation and sanctification flowed from the wounded side of Christ."

Videos

David Guzik — Enduring Word Video Series (John)

YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_QIfO0mxbX4zgQH4vuK6q1q7gu8Ok6tz John 19:1-16 - Glory Mocked and Condemned: John 19:17-30 - Glory Crucified: John 19:31-42 - Glory Buried:

Reflection

  • 1. "It is finished" (v.30). The work of your salvation is complete — not in progress, not dependent on your performance. Jesus paid the full debt. Are you living in the freedom of a finished salvation, or are you still trying to add to what Christ has already completed?
  • 2. Even while dying on the cross, Jesus made sure His mother was cared for (vv.26-27). In the middle of His greatest suffering, He was thinking of others. As a man, how do you care for the people who depend on you even when you are under pressure or in pain?
  • 3. Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple "for fear of the Jews" (v.38). But at the moment of greatest risk — after the crucifixion, when following Jesus seemed most dangerous — he came forward. What is it that finally moves a man from secret faith to public faith? What is holding you back from being more open about your faith?
  • 4. Nicodemus, who came to Jesus by night in chapter 3, now brings 100 pounds of spices to honor Jesus' body. His faith grew quietly but surely. How is your faith growing? Are you moving toward Christ or staying in the same place you were a year ago?
  • 5. Pilate declared Jesus innocent three times (18:38, 19:4, 19:6) and still condemned Him. He knew the truth and chose political safety. Where in your life are you choosing safety or comfort over what you know is right?
  • 6. The soldiers cast lots for Jesus' garment while He hung dying above them (v.23-24). They were indifferent to the greatest event in human history. Is it possible to be physically present at religious events while being spiritually indifferent? How do you guard against that in your own life?
  • 7. "Tetelestai — It is finished." What does it mean to you personally that your salvation is complete? How does a finished salvation change how you relate to God — in prayer, in guilt, in confidence?
  • 8. Jesus was crucified between two criminals (v.18). He died in the place of sinners, surrounded by sinners, identified with sinners. What does it mean to you that the Son of God chose to be numbered with transgressors?
  • 9. John stood at the cross (v.26) while most of the disciples had fled. What does it cost to stand with Christ when standing with Him is dangerous or unpopular? When have you stood, and when have you fled?