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John Chapter Nineteen

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Son of God the Savior Who Had Been Judged Dead and Buried

  A. He Was Judged by Pilate:

1. Pilate judged Jesus the second time ---- he found no fault in Jesus and attempted to finish the trial by scourging Him (v.1-8).

2. Pilate judged Jesus the third time ---- he sought to release Jesus but the Jews said it was against Caesar (v.9-12).

3. The decision in Gabbatha ---- he delivered Jesus to them to crucify Him (v.13-16).

B. He Was Crucified:

1. The name of the cross ---- the King of the Jews (v.17-22).

2. The division under the cross ---- he divided His garments (v.23-24).

3. The gathering under the cross ---- the mother and the son (v.25-27).

4. The accomplished declaration on the cross ---- It is finished! (v.28-30)

5. The death of the cross could not destroy His risen life ---- ¡§Not one of His bones shall be broken (v.31-33).¡¨

6. The dual effect of the cross ---- blood and water came out (v.34-37).

  C. His Noble Burial (v.38-42)

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

John. 19:1 ¡§So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.¡¨

   YLT: ¡§Then therefore did Pilate take Jesus and scourge ¡¨

The Background: the whips that the Romans used to scourge sinners were made of straps. The whips beset with small bones or metals could make a man be badly bruised from flogging.

Literal Meaning: ¡§scourged¡¨ it was the former part of death penalty. However at this time Pilate had not put the Lord Jesus to death but was unwilling to do so. Instead he attempted to satisfy the Jews with a lighter penalty (see Luke 23:16 22) ---- flogging ---- so that he could release the Lord Jesus (see v.12).

Enlightenment in the Word: thanks the Lord for with his ¡§stripes¡¨ we are healed (see Is 53:5). What a great salvation!

 

John. 19:2 ¡§And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head and they put on Him a purple robe.¡¨

YLT: ¡§and the soldiers having plaited a crown of thorns did place on his head and a purple garment they put around him ¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns¡¨ ¡§thorns¡¨ referred to any plant with stingers. The soldiers substituted the crown of thorns for the crown of the King.

  ¡§They put on Him a purple robe.¡¨ ---- ¡§Purple¡¨ it was the color of the robe of a king.

  They dressed up the Lord Jesus as the king of the Jews in order to mock Him and treated Him shamefully.

Spiritual Meaning: ¡§the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head¡¨ ¡§thorns¡¨ were the sign of curse (see Gen 3:17-18). When the crown of thorns was put on the head of the Lord it symbolized that He was cursed on the cross by God.

Enlightenment in the Word:

   1) ¡§The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head.¡¨ ---- The Lord Jesus had become a curse for us on the cross (Gal 3:13).

   2) The crown of thorns and the purple robe are signs of king. However here they became the mark of the shame of the cross. Because of the shame that the Lord had suffered we are exalted! Oh to the Lord the cross is shame but to us it is glory!

   3) Having put on the crown of thorns on the cross the Lord had become a curse for us so as to deliver us from the curse. Today He is crowned with glory and honour in the heaven and will bring us to glory (see Heb 2:9-10).

  

John. 19:3 ¡§Then they said "Hail King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with their hands.¡¨

YLT: ¡§and said `Hail! the king of the Jews;' and they were giving him slaps.¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§then¡¨ in the original it meant ¡§coming to Him continually¡¨. The soldiers mocked Him again and again.  

 

John. 19:4 ¡§Pilate then went out again and said to them "Behold I am bringing Him out to you that you may know that I find no fault in Him.¡¨

YLT: ¡§Pilate therefore again went forth without and saith to them `Lo I do bring him to you without that ye may know that in him I find no fault;'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§I find no fault in Him¡¨. ---- Pilate declared that Jesus had not committed any political sin.

Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Therefore such a high priest was fitting for us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners and has become higher than the heavens (Heb 7:26).

 

John. 19:5 ¡§Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them "Behold the Man!"¡¨

YLT: ¡§Jesus therefore came forth without bearing the thorny crown and the purple garment; and he saith to them `Lo the man!'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§behold the Man!¡¨ ---- this is a confusing word with both sympathy and contempt. Pilate might want to draw the attention of all to notice Jesus who was wearing the crown of thorns and was bruised from flogging and with many shedding blood that they might show compassion for Jesus.

Enlightenment in the Word: ¡§behold the Man!¡¨ ---- Jesus Christ has been portrayed crucified before our eyes (Gal 3:1). Whenever we are assembled to break bread in remembrance of the Lord we should see the crucified Christ praising with grace in our hearts to God (see Col 3:16).

 

John. 19:6 ¡§Therefore when the chief priests and officers saw Him they cried out saying "Crucify Him crucify Him!" Pilate said to them "You take Him and crucify Him for I find no fault in Him."¡¨

YLT: ¡§When therefore the chief priests and the officers did see him they cried out saying `Crucify crucify;' Pilate saith to them `Take ye him -- ye and crucify; for I find no fault in him;'¡¨

The Background: ¡§crucifixion¡¨ was a cruel torture that the Roman Empire used to execute the serious sinners at that time. Such penalty was only executed on those who were of the most heinous guilt such as robbers arsonists traitors and etc. Moreover the citizens of Rome were never tortured by this punishment.

Literal Meaning: ¡§crucify Him¡¨ it was fulfilled what the Lord had early prophesied (see Matt 20:19; 26:2).

  ¡§You take Him and crucify Him¡¨ actually the Jews had no right to execute the penalty of cross and they said it only angrily.

¡§For I find no fault in Him.¡¨ ---- This was the third time that Pilate announced the Lord¡¦s innocence (see 18:38; 19:4). Obviously Pilate thought the Lord Jesus was an ¡§innocent man¡¨ all the time (see Matt 27:24; Luke 23:4 14-15 22).

 

John. 19:7 ¡§The Jews answered him "We have a law and according to our law He ought to die because He made Himself the Son of God."¡¨

YLT: ¡§the Jews answered him `We have a law and according to our law he ought to die for he made himself Son of God.'¡¨

  Literal Meaning: ¡§we have a law¡¨ the Jews at last poured out the truth ---- Jesus was brought here for disobeying their explanations for the law not sins.

¡§And according to our law He ought to die¡¨ the one who blasphemes the name of Jehovah shall certainly be put to death (see Lev 24:16).

¡§Because He made Himself the Son of God¡¨ the Jews raised this sin to prevent Pilate from releasing the Lord Jesus. Instead of altering His sins they attempted to aggravate the sin of His blaspheming that ¡§He was the king of the Jews¡¨ (see 18:33).

  Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The blind quotation of the written law may be against the testimony of the Son of God even murder the full witness of the Son of God.

     2) Today everyone has the law of sin as well as the law of death (see Rom 7:23; 8:2b) ---- the former makes men sin and the latter causes men die. If men live in these two laws he has refused to let the Lord live in him.

 

John. 19:8 ¡§Therefore when Pilate heard that saying he was the more afraid ¡¨

YLT: ¡§When therefore Pilate heard this word he was the more afraid ¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§was the more afraid¡¨ his fear was out of superstition not believing the Son of God really. It was also because he saw the Jews were fierce in a threatening manner and did not give up putting Jesus to death and he was afraid that this case had other inside information.

   

John. 19:9 ¡§and went again into the Praetorium and said to Jesus "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer.¡¨

YLT: ¡§and entered again to the praetorium and saith to Jesus `Whence art thou?' and Jesus gave him no answer.¡¨

The Background: according to the Roman law at that time if the defendant did not defend himself he would be surely condemned.

Literal Meaning: ¡§Where are You from?¡¨ ---- Pilate did not ask where He came from but His background namely ¡§Who are you?¡¨

    ¡§But Jesus gave him no answer.¡¨ ---- It had fulfilled what was written in the Book of Isaiah (53:7). Who reviled reviled not again. Suffering threatened not. But gave over into the hands of him who judges righteously (see 2Pet 2:23) ---- this was the example of the Lord for us.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The Lord did not defend Himself when being treated unjustly ---- ¡§Jesus gave him no answer.¡¨ For He knew that men could not hurt Him unless it had been permitted by the Father (see v.11). We should also know this point so that we will look steadfastly on the protection of God in any trouble or grief instead of protecting by our own strength.

     2) Once the Lord ignores somebody (gave him no answer) or even gives him up it will be most terrible (see Rom 1:26 28).

     3) He reviled reviled not again. Suffering threatened not. But gave over into the hands of him who judges righteously (see 1Peter 2:23). This was the example of the Lord.

     4) He who knows clearly the will and guidance of God and commits himself to God will rest in God and not defend for himself in any hard condition.

     5) Believers should bridle the tongues instead of talking about meaningless matters as it becomes saints.

 

John. 19:10 ¡§Then Pilate said to Him "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You and power to release You?"¡¨

YLT: ¡§Pilate therefore saith to him `To me dost thou not speak? hast thou not known that I have authority to crucify thee and I have authority to release thee?'¡¨

Literal Meaning: the authority of the potentates on the earth is granted by God (see Rom 13:1-5). When Pilate saw the Lord Jesus had no answer he used his authority without knowing that the one who was before him was the origin of all the authority on the earth.

 

John. 19:11 ¡§Jesus answered "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."¡¨

YLT: ¡§Jesus answered `Thou wouldst have no authority against me if it were not having been given thee from above; because of this he who is delivering me up to thee hath greater sin.'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.¡¨ ---- The Lord Jesus conversely judged Pilate who considered he had authority of himself.

  ¡§The one who delivered Me to you¡¨ ¡§the one¡¨ someone inferred that it might refer to Judas. However here it referred to the one who delivered Jesus to Pilate so it might be the high priest Caiaphas. However ¡§the one¡¨ could also be interpreted as a group which referred to all the Jewish leaders that against Him including Caiaphas and Judas.

  ¡§Has the greater sin¡¨ it indicated that Pilate also sinned though lighter than that of Caiaphas.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) All the authority on the earth is out of God in the final analysis.

     2) Apparently Christ was only a prisoner and the authority was held in the hand of the governor. However in light of the spiritual reality the true authority is in the hand of Christ who is the king. Therefore our Lord could declare before the arbitrary power: ¡§you could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.¡¨

     3) The Jews confessed that ¡§it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death¡¨ (see 18:31) so they delivered the Lord to Pilate. Actually Pilate also had no authority to put anyone to death for the great power of giving or taking life was held in the hand of Christ Himself. Just as what He had said before: ¡§No one takes it from Me but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father (see 10:18)."¡¨ Here the surpassing status of the Son of God had been more manifested. Truly He is the Lord of life (Acts 3:15)!

 

John. 19:12 ¡§From then on Pilate sought to release Him but the Jews cried out saying "If you let this Man go you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§From this was Pilate seeking to release him and the Jews were crying out saying `If this one thou mayest release thou art not a friend of Caesar; every one making himself a king doth speak against Caesar.'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§Pilate sought to release Him¡¨. ---- Pilate only dealt with the political offender but the Lord Jesus had never committed any political offence. Therefore Pilate sought to release Him.

  ¡§You are not Caesar's friend¡¨ it meant he had not maintained the profit of Caesar faithfully. This verse hid a threat ---- if Pilate released the Lord Jesus the Jews would accuse him before Caesar. Pilate could not totally ignore the intimidation of the Jews concerning his past political records.

  ¡§Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.¡¨ ---- It indicated that since the Lord declared that He was ¡§the king of the Jews¡¨ He had put Himself in the opposing position against Caesar.

 

John. 19:13 ¡§When Pilate therefore heard that saying he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement but in Hebrew Gabbatha. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Pilate therefore having heard this word brought Jesus without -- and he sat down upon the tribunal -- to a place called `Pavement ' and in Hebrew Gabbatha;¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§Gabbatha¡¨: lift up the knoll high place;

Literal Meaning: ¡§in a place that is called The Pavement¡¨ it referred to the place in the northwest corner of the Holy Temple paved with stones. It was said that when the Roman governors went to hold a court for trial: (1) they usually set the judgment seat in an open place. (2) They preferred to put some square stones as the checkerboard under the seat.

  ¡§And sat down in the judgment seat¡¨ they had officially opened the court for trial.

 

John. 19:14 ¡§Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews "Behold your King!" ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and it was the preparation of the passover and as it were the sixth hour and he saith to the Jews `Lo your king!'¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§the sixth hour¡¨ ---- it was 12 o¡¦clock in the middle of the day according to the Jewish chronometry and 6 o¡¦clock in the morning according to the Roman chronometry.

Literal Meaning: ¡§now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover¡¨ it was not the day of slaying the Lamb of the Passover (see Mark 14:12) but the Friday among the week of the Passover namely the previous day of the Sabbath. The Jews had to make preparation for they could not causally act or work on the day of Sabbath. They called the previous day of the Sabbath was ¡§the Preparation Day (see v.42)¡¨.

  ¡§And about the sixth hour¡¨ according to the record of the Book of Mark the Lord Jesus was crucified at 9 o¡¦clock a.m. (see Mark 15:25 ¡§the third hour¡¨). The difference between them might because: (1) the Book of John was recorded according to the Roman chronometry (see the commentary of chapter one verse 39) but the Book of Mark was recorded in the light of the Jewish chronometry. (2) It was 6 o¡¦clock a.m. The Lord had not been crucified which coincided perfectly with the saying that the synagogue of the Jews led Jesus to the Praetorium in the early morning (see 18:28). (3) It was approximately three hours from Pilate¡¦s sitting down in the judgment seat to the Lord¡¦s being brought to the cross in Golgotha.

  ¡§Behold your King!¡¨ ---- It might be unintentional words from the mouth of Pilate. However John purposed to emphasize the royal power of the Lord Jesus here so he did not miss this part (see 18:33 37 39; 19:3 15 19).

Enlightenment in the Word: Pilate ¡§used¡¨ the authority according to the arrangement of men¡¦s organization but Christ ¡§is¡¨ the authority according to the reality of His life ---- ¡§You say rightly that I am a king and for this cause I was born (see 18:37)¡¨. When they met together the one who ¡§used¡¨ the authority finally had to obey and confess the one who ¡§is¡¨ the authority ---- ¡§Behold your King!¡¨

 

John. 19:15 ¡§But they 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!" ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and they cried out `Take away take away crucify him;' Pilate saith to them `Your king shall I crucify?' the chief priests answered `We have no king except Caesar.'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§We have no king but Caesar!¡¨ ---- This is a sarcastic word. The leaders of the Jews refused to admit any word that accused them of revolting the Roman government. Contrarily it disclosed their spiritual reality. The leaders of the Jews denied not only the Lord Jesus but also God (see Judge 8:23; 1Sam 8:7). Therefore they had actually committed the most serious sin of blasphemy. 

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The slogan of the cross was ¡§away with Him!¡¨ The cross was a removal for the Lord so is it for us. The cross is the greatest ¡§removal¡¨ removing the entire old creature so that the new creation will have more portions in us.

     2) The principle aim of the cross is to ¡§remove¡¨ all the constitutions condemned to death by God in us. The salvation of God is to bring men to zero thus making their life be increasingly abundant. 

 

John. 19:16 ¡§Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Then therefore he delivered him up to them that he may be crucified and they took Jesus and led away ¡¨

Literal Meaning: that Pilate delivered Him to be crucified had fulfilled not only the saying which He spoke signifying by what death He would die but also the prophecies in the Old Testament (see Deut 21:23; Num 21:8-9; Gal 3:13).

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) What had Pilate done was a typical representative of the world (especial the politicians) ---- who called black white and disregard the truth only for the sake of fawning over the people.

     2) In order to please the people many leaders in the Christianity even sacrifice the principle of the truth and adopt the expedient measure but it finally does evil to our Lord.

     3) In order to please the people Pilate went against his conscience and sacrificed the Lord Jesus. This was a great example! We should never go against our conscience and sacrifice the Lord Jesus whom we believe for the purpose of pleasing the world.

     4) If we want to be strong till the end to bear witness of Christ we may usually be unable to please everyone. For if I were yet pleasing men I were not Christ's bondman (Gal 1:10).

     5) Thanks the Lord! Because of His ¡§being delivered¡¨ the condemned prisoners of death can ¡§be released¡¨. What a great salvation!

 

John. 19:17 ¡§And He bearing His cross went out to a place called the Place of a Skull which is called in Hebrew Golgotha ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and bearing his cross he went forth to the place called of a Skull which is called in Hebrew Golgotha;¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§Golgotha¡¨: the skull; a place where is stacked with skulls.

Literal Meaning: ¡§bore His cross went out to a place called the Place of a Skull¡¨ when the Lord Jesus was brought to be crucified he bore His cross by Himself at first and then a man of Cyrene Simon by name bore the cross for Him later (see Matt 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).

  ¡§A place called the Place of a Skull which is called in Hebrew Golgotha¡¨ it was said that the hill shaped like a skull so it was called ¡§the Place of a Skull¡¨. ¡§Golgotha¡¨ meant ¡§the Place of Skull¡¨. The English name was ¡§Calvary (see KJV Luke 23:33)¡¨ which was translated from Latin with the same meaning as the word ¡§Golgotha¡¨.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The cross that the Lord had bore was publicly for us but the Scripture mentioned that He bore His cross Himself ---- ¡§Jesus bore His cross and went out¡¨. It showed the boundless love of the Lord made Him be willing to bear our crosses and pay the cost of our sins without any grievance. Oh what great love! How can we not be indebted to Him forever?

     2) Our natural brain and the old concept are ¡§the skull¡¨ which should be crucified on the mountain of Golgotha thus preventing them from stirring up troubles.

 

John. 19:18 ¡§where they crucified Him and two others with Him one on either side and Jesus in the center.¡¨

YLT: ¡§where they crucified him and with him two others on this side and on that side and Jesus in the midst.¡¨

The Background: ¡§they crucified Him¡¨ it was said that when the Jews in the old times slew the lamb of the Passover they firstly tied its four limbs up to a wood shelf shaped like the cross and let its blood shed unto death. Therefore the Crucifixion of the Lord has fulfilled the typification that He is the lamb of the Passover (see Is 53:7-8; 1Cor 5:7; John 1:29).

  The cruel torture of crucifixion was only adopted around the short period when the Lord Jesus was on the earth in the history of the Roman history ---- which seemed that God especially prepared this torture for the fulfillment of the prophecies and typifications in the Old Testament (see Num 21:8-9; Deut 21:23; Act 13:29; Gal 3:13).

Literal Meaning: ¡§and two others with Him¡¨ these two men crucified with Jesus together were robbers (see Matt 27:38). This indicated that:

1.   It fulfilled the prophecy that ¡§he was reckoned with lawless (see Luke 22:37)¡¨.

2.   He was hanged on the tree in the position of a sinner so He had bore our sins in his body (see 1Peter 2:24).

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) As the center of men and all things the crucified Christ will draw all to Him (see 12:32).

     2) The portion of men is totally determined by the crucified Christ ---- he who receives Him will obtain eternal life and he who refuses Him will perish and enter the eternal fire.

     3) Through His death on the cross He might annul the devil who has the might of death and might release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (see Heb 2:14-15).

 

John. 19:19 ¡§Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§And Pilate also wrote a title and put on the cross and it was written `Jesus the Nazarene the king of the Jews;'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§wrote a title¡¨ it referred to the title of the sins of the prisoner which would be nailed on the cross.

  ¡§JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS¡¨ the title was apparently ironic to the Lord as well as to the Jews (see v.21). It also indicated that He was crucified exactly for this cause.

Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The life of king can be manifested through the death of the cross only.

   2) Men in the world become the king by attacking cities or seizing lands but believers reign in life (see Rom 5:17) by the death of the cross.

 

John. 19:20 ¡§Then many of the Jews read this title for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew Greek and Latin.¡¨

YLT: ¡§this title therefore read many of the Jews because the place was nigh to the city where Jesus was crucified and it was having been written in Hebrew in Greek in Roman.¡¨

Spiritual Meaning: Hebrew stood for religion and Rome (Latin) represented politics and Greek was on behalf of culture ---- it typified that the Lord was crucified by the religious political and cultural world together. The three sides together represented all the human beings ---- it typified that the Lord as the Lamb of God was killed by all the human beings.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The title of the cross was written by three words which revealed that the traditional religion ---- ¡§Hebrew¡¨ the earthly regime ---- ¡§Rome¡¨ and the natural intellect ---- ¡§Greece¡¨ had killed Christ.

     2) On the other hand it also shows that Christ has already overcome them all so that He has become the king and the Lord who exists over all. Oh how surpassing! How perfect!

 

John. 19:21 ¡§Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate "Do not write "The King of the Jews ' but "He said "I am the King of the Jews.""' ¡¨

YLT: ¡§The chief priests of the Jews said therefore to Pilate `Write not -- The king of the Jews but that one said I am king of the Jews;'¡¨

 

John. 19:22 ¡§Pilate answered "What I have written I have written." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Pilate answered `What I have written I have written.'¡¨

Literal Meaning: Pilate had to present sufficient reasons before putting someone to death. Pilate refused the Jews ---- on one hand he wanted to humiliate the Jews by this chance. On the other hand it showed that what he had written was not out of him but in the hand of the sovereign authority of God so he could not change the title at will. Moreover it proves a fact that the sovereign authority of the Lord abides forever and never changes.

Enlightenment in the Word: even though we do not seek the guidance of God every action of us is still in the hand of God and is governed by God.

 

John. 19:23 ¡§Then the soldiers when they had crucified Jesus took His garments and made four parts to each soldier a part and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam woven from the top in one piece. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§The soldiers therefore when they did crucify Jesus took his garments and made four parts to each soldier a part also the coat and the coat was seamless from the top woven throughout ¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§and also the tunic¡¨ ¡§tunic¡¨ a kind of undergarments covering from one¡¦s neck to knees or ankle bones.

Spiritual Meaning: the Lord¡¦s garments could be divided but His undergarments could never be torn (see v.24) for was without seam woven from the top in one piece. However His nature is full and perfect and complete even the cross can not divide it.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The world usually respects the good works of the Lord Jesus (divided His garments) but refuses to receive the life of Christ (¡§they had crucified Jesus¡¨).

     2) Believers may usually sacrifice the substance for the shadow and are zealous in searching the scriptures but will not come to the Lord that they might have life (see 5:39-40).

 

John. 19:24 ¡§They said therefore among themselves "Let us not tear it but cast lots for it whose it shall be " that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: "They divided My garments among them And for My clothing they cast lots." Therefore the soldiers did these things. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§they said therefore to one another `We may not rend it but cast a lot for it whose it shall be;' that the Writing might be fulfilled that is saying `They divided my garments to themselves and upon my raiment they did cast a lot;' the soldiers therefore indeed did these things.¡¨

The Background: according to the Roman traditions all the objects taken with the one who would be put to death should be delivered to executioner.

Literal Meaning: ¡§they divided My garments among them and for My clothing they cast lots.¡¨ ---- It was quoted from the Book of Psalms (22:18). It still proved that the death of the Lord Jesus was not out of men¡¦s hand but the sovereign dominance of God.

 

John. 19:25 ¡§Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother and His mother's sister Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§And there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother's sister Mary of Cleopas and Mary the Magdalene;¡¨

Meaning of Words: ¡§Clopas¡¨: an honorable father.

Literal Meaning: ¡§His mother¡¨ Mary who was the mother of James and Joseph (see Matt 13:55; 27:56).

¡§And His mother's sister¡¨ it was said that she was the mother of the sons of Zebedee (see Matt 27:56) whose name was Salome (see Mark 16:1).

¡§Mary the wife of Clopas¡¨ ¡§Clopas¡¨ had been mentioned only once in the Four Gospels. It was said that he was the Apostle James¡¦s father who was also known as Alphaeus (see Mark 3:18). His wife was also called Mary (see Mark 16:1).

There was some the Bible exegetes who believed that this ¡§Clopas¡¨ was that ¡§Cleopas¡¨ who walked with the risen Lord on the way of Emmaus (see Luke 24:13-18).

Enlightenment in the Word: these women stood for the unremarkable infirm believers who followed and served the Lord in the ordinary days. When other disciples denied the Lord and escaped (see Mark 14:50) they still followed the Lord till the cross namely unto death. Therefore they could bear witness of the Lord¡¦s death and resurrection (see Acts 3:15). If we want to be the witnesses of the Lord we should follow the Lord till the death.

 

John. 19:26 ¡§When Jesus therefore saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing by He said to His mother "Woman behold your son!" ¡¨

YLT: ¡§Jesus therefore having seen mother and the disciple standing by whom he was loving he saith to his mother `Woman lo thy son;'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§the disciple whom He loved¡¨ it was the Apostle John (see 13:23; 21:20). It was said that the mother of John was Mary¡¦s sister Salome (see v.25; Matt 27:56; Mark 16:1). Therefore the physical mother of Jesus was the aunt of John and John was her nephew.

 

John. 19:27 ¡§Then He said to the disciple "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§afterward he saith to the disciple `Lo thy mother;' and from that hour the disciple took her to his own .¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.¡¨ ---- It meant that the disciple took the responsibility of taking care of Mary¡¦s daily life from then on. The family circumstances of John was better than that of the Lord Jesus (see Mark 1:20; the commentary of chapter 18 of this book v.15)

Spiritual Meaning: the death of the Lord opened a brand-new relation between His mother and His beloved disciples. It unveiled that His death had given the divine life to those who looked upon Him under the cross thus making them (i.e. those who believed Him) be united into one in life.

Controversial Clarification: someone criticized the Lord Jesus for dishonoring His physical mother and speaking to her without proper respect (see 2:4; Matt 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 2:48-49) thus holding that He failed in showing filial devotion to His mother. However this was the thought of those who did not know the Scripture. In fact He obeyed His parents from His childhood (see Luke 2:50-51). When He was grown up since His father was reportedly dead earlier He began to inherit His father¡¦s work and became personally a carpenter (see Mark 6:3) and looked after the life of His mother brothers and sisters. He did not come out to preach until He was thirty years old (see Luke 3:23). Of course when He journeyed round to deliver sermons publicly during that three year and a half He could not take the responsibility of looking after His mother and He might entrust the responsibility of taking care of His brothers to His brothers (James Joses and etc.). Before His death He made proper arrangement for His mother¡¦s life from then on. His filial obedience was totally manifested!

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) In the suffering of the chastisement of the cross the Lord Jesus did not forget His mother but entrusted her to the disciple whom He loved most namely John. It showed us what a perfect Lord! He was fully faithful to the Father and had filial piety to His physical mother ---- what a perfect savior for both God and men!

     2) The close fellowship among all the believers is produced by the risen life of the Lord.

     3) The meaning of the Christ¡¦s cross was always making oneself be divided ---- the Lord¡¦s garments were divided (see v.23) and making others be jointed ---- Mary and John had entered a new relationship under the cross.

 

John. 19:28 ¡§After this Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished that the Scripture might be fulfilled said "I thirst!" ¡¨

YLT: ¡§After this Jesus knowing that all things now have been finished that the Writing may be fulfilled saith `I thirst;'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§I thirst!¡¨ ---- It was quoted from the Book of Psalm (69:21) indicating that He was bearing the torture of the death for thirst was the taste of the death (see Luke 16:24; Rev 21:8). It indicated though He is God He was also a man in His humanity who has the physical feeling (see Heb 4:15; 5:2 7).

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) The Lord had tasted the death for us on the cross (see Heb 2:9).

     2) All that the Lord had done on the cross even a word ---- ¡§I thirst! (It was only one word in the original)¡¨ ---- was for the purpose of fulfilling the word of God.

     3) Even the most trivial thing in one¡¦s life is predominated by God.

 

John. 19:29 ¡§Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine put it on hyssop and put it to His mouth. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§a vessel therefore was placed full of vinegar and they having filled a sponge with vinegar and having put around a hyssop stalk did put to his mouth;¡¨

Literal Meaning: they put the sour wine to His mouth ---- it implicated a sense of mocking (see Luke 23:36). Did they know that such action was for the purpose of fulfilling the prophecy in the Old Testament (see Ps 69:21). Just before the Lord had expired the Lord Jesus was still mocked and despised by men. Therefore the word and action are all in the foreknowledge and predestination of God.

 

John. 19:30 ¡§So when Jesus had received the sour wine He said "It is finished!" And bowing His head He gave up His spirit. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§when therefore Jesus received the vinegar he said `It hath been finished;' and having bowed the head gave up the spirit.¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§It is finished!¡¨ ---- It meant that the great work of salvation had been finished.

  ¡§Bowing His head¡¨ ¡§bow¡¨ in the original meant ¡§inclining to the pillow and lying on the bed¡¨. It suggested that when the Lord Jesus had expired He did not lower His head forward but leaned backwards. This action showed that had perfectly fulfilled His works.

 ¡§He gave up His spirit.¡¨ ---- Note that the Four Gospels never mentioned the Lord Jesus ¡§was dead¡¨ but ¡§gave His spirit to God¡¨ or ¡§expired¡¨ (see Matt 27:50; Luke 23:46). It indicated that His death was not caused by any natural reason or the consumption of strength but gave His spirit to God voluntarily.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) ¡§It is finished!¡¨ ---- The great salvation for us had been completely finished through the death of Christ on the cross. He did not leave any trouble for us to resolve by ourselves.

     2) ¡§It is finished!¡¨ ---- This was the greatest triumphal song of the Lord Himself as well as the best glad tidings for sinners all over the world. The great work of the Lord Jesus on the cross had destroyed the power of Satan and redeemed men¡¦s sins and accomplished the will of God. Oh what a great ¡§it is finished¡¨!

     3) The Lord¡¦s life could not be seized by men but lay down His life for the sheep of Himself (see John 10:15 18).

     4) If we are undergoing afflictions or troubles we should commit everything unto God and then we will enjoy the rest in spirit.

 

John. 19:31 ¡§Therefore because it was the Preparation Day that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day) the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§The Jews therefore that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath since it was the preparation (for that Sabbath day was a great one ) asked of Pilate that their legs may be broken and they taken away.¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken¡¨ they intended to accelerate His death. For when one¡¦s legs were broken he could not bear the weight of the whole body thus falling into the shortness of breath.

 

John. 19:32 ¡§Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§The soldiers therefore came and of the first indeed they did break the legs and of the other who was crucified with him ¡¨

 

John. 19:33 ¡§But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead they did not break His legs. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and having come to Jesus when they saw him already having been dead they did not break his legs;¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§but when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead¡¨. ---- When a man was crucified he might expire after two or three days. Why the Lord Jesus died so quickly there might be reasons as follows:

1.    The Lord was very infirm in His flesh for indeed he has been crucified in weakness (see 2Cor 53:6).

2.    The judgment of God on Him was especially heavy for God had laid upon Him the iniquity of us all (see Is 53:6).

3.    The power of death had attacked Him much fiercely for His death was the final decisive battle against the devil that had the might of death. Nevertheless He still overcame the final enemy namely death (see Heb 2:14; 1Cor 15:26).

¡§They did not break His legs¡¨ it indicated that:

1.         The Lord¡¦s death was not caused by man¡¦s hand but He lay down His life of soul of Himself.

2.         In the sovereign authority of God the prophecy that ¡§not one of His bones shall be broken¡¨ was fulfilled (see v.36).

 

John. 19:34 ¡§But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear and immediately blood and water came out. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§but one of the soldiers with a spear did pierce his side and immediately there came forth blood and water;¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear¡¨ probably he wanted to make sure that He was really dead.

  ¡§And immediately blood and water came out¡¨ according to the modern medical general knowledge the reason of the Lord¡¦s death was concluded to be the cardiac rupture so there were blood clots (blood) and blood sera (water) in the thoracic cavity.

Spiritual Meaning: ¡§one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear¡¨ it was exactly fulfilled the typification that when the side of Adam was split God took one of Adam¡¦s ribs to build it into Eve (see Gen 2:21-22). That the side of the Lord Jesus was pierced by a sphere typified the birth of the church.

Enlightenment in the Word:

     1) There are two functions of the death of Christ: (1) ¡§blood¡¨ ---- removes our sins in the negative aspect; (2) water ---- gives the divine life to us in the positive aspect.

     2) The salvation of blood is purposed to give life in water. If we are only redeemed by the blood but are not reborn our situations may still be wretched.

     3) The shedding of the Lord¡¦s ¡§blood¡¨ showed that He washed away men¡¦s sins and made men come to God. Moreover the shedding of the Lord¡¦s ¡§water¡¨ symbolized that He came into men to be men¡¦s life. This is the complete salvation of two sides of Christ¡¦s salvation.

 

John. 19:35 ¡§And he who has seen has testified and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth so that you may believe. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and he who hath seen hath testified and his testimony is true and that one hath known that true things he speaketh that ye also may believe.¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§he who has seen¡¨ probably it referred to the Apostle John.

  The emphasis of this verse was the two words ¡§truth¡¨ and ¡§believe¡¨.

 

John. 19:36 ¡§For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled "Not one of His bones shall be broken." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§For these things came to pass that the Writing may be fulfilled `A bone of him shall not be broken;'¡¨

Spiritual Meaning: ¡§Not one of His bones shall be broken.¡¨ ---- ¡§Bones¡¨ symbolize the risen life (see Gen 2:21-33) which can never be injured or destroyed by death.

  This also proves that the Lord is a perfectly righteous man before God (see Ps 34:20) and He has become the Lamb of the Passover (see Ex 12:46).

Enlightenment in the Word: just like Eve was out of a rib of Adam the church is also out of the risen life of Christ. This life is a life which can never be broken or corrupted.

 

John. 19:37 ¡§And again another Scripture says "They shall look on Him whom they pierced." ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and again another Writing saith `They shall look to him whom they did pierce.'¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§They shall look on Him whom they pierced.¡¨ ---- It was quoted from the Book of Zechariah (12:10).

 

John. 19:38 ¡§After this Joseph of Arimathea being a disciple of Jesus but secretly for fear of the Jews asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§And after these things did Joseph of Arimathea -- being a disciple of Jesus but concealed through the fear of the Jews -- ask of Pilate that he may take away the body of Jesus and Pilate gave leave; he came therefore and took away the body of Jesus ¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§Joseph of Arimathea¡¨ ¡§Arimathea¡¨ was a small town in the land of the Perizzites which was located in the northwest of Jerusalem about 20 miles away. ¡§Joseph¡¨ was a ¡§rich man¡¨ (see Matt 27:57). Here the Scripture proved that even the bury of the Lord Jesus was fulfilled the prophecy in the Old Testament that ¡§he was with the rich in his death¡¨ (see Is 53:9).

  ¡§Asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus¡¨ Joseph like Nicodemus was the disciple of the Lord in private. However he was bold to manifest his position at this time for being touched by the Lord¡¦s love on the cross.

 

John. 19:39 ¡§And Nicodemus who at first came to Jesus by night also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes about a hundred pounds. ¡¨

YLT: ¡§and Nicodemus also came -- who came unto Jesus by night at the first -- bearing a mixture of myrrh and aloes as it were a hundred pounds.¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§a hundred pounds¡¨ according to the Roman weights and measures every pound equals to twelve ounce about 30 kilograms.

 

John. 19:40 ¡§Then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices as the custom of the Jews is to bury.¡¨

YLT: ¡§They took therefore the body of Jesus and bound it with linen clothes with the spices according as it was the custom of the Jews to prepare for burial;¡¨

The Background: according to the funeral custom of the Jews the corpse should be bound up in linen with the spices and the head should be wrapped by napkin (see 11:44).

Enlightenment in the Word: ¡§bound it in strips of linen with the spices¡¨ the behaviors of believers should be clean holy soft and even. But not let sin reign in your mortal body (see Rom 6:12).

 

John. 19:41 ¡§Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.¡¨

YLT: ¡§and there was in the place where he was crucified a garden and in the garden a new tomb in which no one was yet laid;¡¨

Spiritual Meaning: ¡§and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid¡¨ ¡§the tomb in which the Lord had yet been laid was hewn by Joseph for himself (see Matt 27:60). This typified that the old men of believers had been crucified with the Lord and buried with him by baptism unto death (see Rom 6:3-6; Col 2:12). Therefore the corpse in the tomb could refer to the old man and its members of believers.

Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord was a poor and humble man in Nazareth. But after His death there was rich man who came to arrange the matters of burial in a noble way (see v.38-40) and He was buried in a new tomb of a rich man. It had indicated that once the suffering of death had finished one would enter a new position ---- a noble sweet and rest condition.

 

John. 19:42 ¡§So there they laid Jesus because of the Jews' Preparation Day for the tomb was nearby.¡¨

YLT: ¡§there therefore because of the preparation of the Jews because the tomb was nigh they laid Jesus.¡¨

Literal Meaning: ¡§because of the Jews' Preparation Day¡¨ since the Jews could not act or work at will on the Sabbath they could make some preparation in the previous day which was called ¡§the Preparation Day¡¨.

Enlightenment in the Word: because of the boldness and devotion of love of Joseph and Nicodemus the Lord Jesus could have a new tomb to rest ---- the Lord rested in those who loved Him and exalted Him.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

I.  The Significance of the Cross ---- He Who Does not Know Sin Has Been Made Sin for Sinners

A.   Pilate declared that he did not find any fault in Jesus for three times (v.4 6; see 18:38).

B.   Since He called Himself the Son of God the Jews cried out: ¡§Crucify Him¡¨ (v.6-7).

C.   The power that crucified Him seemed to be of Pilate but it was given from above (v.10-11a).

D.   All of us had delivered the Lord to the cross so our sins were much serious (v.11b).

E.   The Lord was even reckoned with the transgressors because of our sins (v.18).

 

II.The Slogan of the Cross ---- Away with Him

A.   They cried out "Away with Him away with Him! Crucify Him!" (v.15).

B.   Jesus bore His cross and went out (v.17a) ---- to deal with and remove one¡¦s self.

C.   The place where Jesus was crucified was called ¡§the Place of a Skull¡¨ (v.17b) ---- which meant putting Him to death.

 

III.   The Title of the Cross ---- the King of the Jews

A.   He was mocked because of the status of ¡§the king of the Jews¡¨ (v.2-5).

B.   This king was against Caesar (v.12b) ---- who was also against the king of the world.

C.   ¡§Behold your King! (v.14)¡¨.

D.   The title of the cross was: ¡§THE KING OF THE JEWS¡¨ (v.19).

E.   It was written in Hebrew Greek and Latin (v.20) ---- which resembled religion politics and culture.

F.    Pilate refused to change what he had written though the Jews rejected him (v.21-22) ---- it was out of the sovereign authority of God.

G.   He was buried nobly (v.38-42) ---- the honorable treatment of a king.

 

IV.  The Effects of the Cross

A.   His garments were divided under the cross but His tunic could not be torn (v.23-24) ---- Christ can meet the need of all kinds of men because of the fullness and perfectness His inner being.

B.   Those who were of Him had established a new relation (v.26-27) ---- they were jointed into one by partaking in His life.

C.   ¡§I thirst!¡¨ (v.28) ---- since He had drunk the cup of the wrath of God we could enjoy His cup of blessings.

D.   ¡§It is finished!¡¨ (v.30) ---- He had left nothing for man to make up.

E.   ¡§Not one of His bones shall be broken (v.31-33; 36).¡¨ ---- Death could not overcome His risen life.

F.    Blood and water came out from His side (v.34) ---- blood was for remission and water was for giving life.

G.   Everything the cross has accomplished has its testimonies. These testimonies are ¡§true¡¨ which can make us believe (v.35).

 

¢w¢w Caleb Huang¡mChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series¡n

   Translated by Mary Zhou