John
19:17-37
Lesson 212
19:17-37
Lesson 212
In this lesson:
The crucifixion.
The Scriptures are fulfilled; the Son of God is sacrificed.
The crucifixion.
The Scriptures are fulfilled; the Son of God is sacrificed.
Jesus bearing the cross on His way to Golgotha.
The slow death.
Crucifixion!
Crucifixion!
Crucifixion wasn't just a means of execution; it was a psychological weapon to intimidate anyone who challenged the authority of the Roman empire. Crucifixion was designed to inflict maximum pain while slowly killing. Death on the cross was reserved for traitors, slaves, foreigners, and the lowest of criminals. Rome allowed slavery but considered crucifixion so horrendous that
it was illegal to crucify a Roman citizen, no matter what their crime. The first public crucifixions took on a carnival atmosphere and attracted large, boisterous crowds. But by the time Jesus hung on the cross, crucifixions had become routine. The loud curious mobs had long disappeared, leaving only Jesus' mother and a handful of followers and accusers to watch the Messiah die. To many of the people of Jerusalem, the Messiah's death was just another ho-hum execution.
With the jeers of the crowd filling their ears, the prisoners were led to their execution site and stripped naked, adding to their humiliation. Then, primitive iron nails six to eight inches long with two-inch sharpened points were pounded through their hands or wrists with a heavy mallet. Experienced executioners knew precisely where to place the nails to cut the tendons that run the length of the arm up to the shoulders. With severed tendons, the crucified were forced to use their back and shoulder muscles to support their weight as they hung on the cross. Once the wrists of the struggling victim were hammered down, a single nail was driven through both feet to anchor them to the wooden cross. The crucifix was then raised, and the base of the cross dropped into a three-foot-deep hole with a jarring thud. If they had inexperienced or hurried executioners, one or both of the struggling prisoner's wrists could come loose as the cross dropped into place, causing them to fall forward with their feet still fastened to the crucifix. They were then brought back down, screaming and re-nailed.
After the naked, helpless victim was secured and the cross set upright in the air, the crucified would be on full display to the eyes of the taunting crowd, and the deathwatch would begin. Death on the cross was slow. Their gradual physical decline gave the condemned time to think about their pending death as they writhed in agony. The intense physical and psychological misery steadily increased as the sufferer slowly succumbed to dehydration, loss of blood, trauma, shock, fear, pain, and sheer exhaustion. Most died from suffocation when they couldn't hold themselves up on the cross any longer. As the weight of the weakening upper torso collapsed over their diaphragm, breathing became difficult. The victims found they could take air in but couldn't exhale it. The only way to catch a breath was to pull themselves up the cross by their nailed wrists. Pulling themselves up caused horrific pain as the punctured wrists bore the entire weight of the fading body. Once the crucified raised themselves on the cross, their arm and shoulder muscles quickly cramped and weakened. When they could take the pain no longer, the condemned would sink back down and rest their weight on the nail driven through their feet. Lowering themselves on the cross relieved the pain in the upper torso, but the agony in their feet, ankles, and legs sent throbbing shivers through their body, and the pectoral muscles in the chest again became paralyzed. In the panic for another breath, they would again pull themselves
back up the cross by their wrists. If a man passed out, he was quickly jarred awake as his body gasped for air. This up and down struggle was repeated over and over until, finally, death came. In Jesus' case, it took over three hours to die. If the crucified were still alive when the executioners were ready to leave, their legs were broken to keep them from pushing themselves up the cross for another breath. With shattered legs, death came quickly. It was not until AD 313, that Rome outlawed crucifixion, two hundred and eighty years after Jesus died on the cross.
it was illegal to crucify a Roman citizen, no matter what their crime. The first public crucifixions took on a carnival atmosphere and attracted large, boisterous crowds. But by the time Jesus hung on the cross, crucifixions had become routine. The loud curious mobs had long disappeared, leaving only Jesus' mother and a handful of followers and accusers to watch the Messiah die. To many of the people of Jerusalem, the Messiah's death was just another ho-hum execution.
With the jeers of the crowd filling their ears, the prisoners were led to their execution site and stripped naked, adding to their humiliation. Then, primitive iron nails six to eight inches long with two-inch sharpened points were pounded through their hands or wrists with a heavy mallet. Experienced executioners knew precisely where to place the nails to cut the tendons that run the length of the arm up to the shoulders. With severed tendons, the crucified were forced to use their back and shoulder muscles to support their weight as they hung on the cross. Once the wrists of the struggling victim were hammered down, a single nail was driven through both feet to anchor them to the wooden cross. The crucifix was then raised, and the base of the cross dropped into a three-foot-deep hole with a jarring thud. If they had inexperienced or hurried executioners, one or both of the struggling prisoner's wrists could come loose as the cross dropped into place, causing them to fall forward with their feet still fastened to the crucifix. They were then brought back down, screaming and re-nailed.
After the naked, helpless victim was secured and the cross set upright in the air, the crucified would be on full display to the eyes of the taunting crowd, and the deathwatch would begin. Death on the cross was slow. Their gradual physical decline gave the condemned time to think about their pending death as they writhed in agony. The intense physical and psychological misery steadily increased as the sufferer slowly succumbed to dehydration, loss of blood, trauma, shock, fear, pain, and sheer exhaustion. Most died from suffocation when they couldn't hold themselves up on the cross any longer. As the weight of the weakening upper torso collapsed over their diaphragm, breathing became difficult. The victims found they could take air in but couldn't exhale it. The only way to catch a breath was to pull themselves up the cross by their nailed wrists. Pulling themselves up caused horrific pain as the punctured wrists bore the entire weight of the fading body. Once the crucified raised themselves on the cross, their arm and shoulder muscles quickly cramped and weakened. When they could take the pain no longer, the condemned would sink back down and rest their weight on the nail driven through their feet. Lowering themselves on the cross relieved the pain in the upper torso, but the agony in their feet, ankles, and legs sent throbbing shivers through their body, and the pectoral muscles in the chest again became paralyzed. In the panic for another breath, they would again pull themselves
back up the cross by their wrists. If a man passed out, he was quickly jarred awake as his body gasped for air. This up and down struggle was repeated over and over until, finally, death came. In Jesus' case, it took over three hours to die. If the crucified were still alive when the executioners were ready to leave, their legs were broken to keep them from pushing themselves up the cross for another breath. With shattered legs, death came quickly. It was not until AD 313, that Rome outlawed crucifixion, two hundred and eighty years after Jesus died on the cross.
Study Tip:
Repetition is a tool writers use to emphasize key points.
Whenever you see themes repeated in the Bible, this is a clue that God considers them important.
Hover over these passages to fully grasp their meaning.
Repetition is a tool writers use to emphasize key points.
Whenever you see themes repeated in the Bible, this is a clue that God considers them important.
Hover over these passages to fully grasp their meaning.
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
|
John 19:17-37
"It is finished." 17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. 19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This 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. 21 Then 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. 22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. 23 Then 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. 24 They 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. 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now 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. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. 31 The 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. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. |
Margin notes:
"Golgotha." (19:17) - Aramaic for "the place of the skull" (Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17), also called Calvary (Luke 23:33). Golgotha was a small hill located northwest of Jerusalem just outside the gates of the city (Hebrews 13:12), where criminals were executed. It was commonplace to hold crucifixions on hilltops so people could easily see the execution and be warned. The main road into Jerusalem ran past Golgotha giving travelers a good view of Jesus' crucifixion (Mark 15:29). There was a garden nearby and a fresh grave where Jesus was buried (John 19:41). "They crucified him." (19:18) - Only the worst criminals or lowly slaves were crucified. Because crucifixion was such a horrible death, Roman citizens were exempt. See the description of a crucifixion above. "Jesus in the midst." (19:18) - Means, "Jesus in the middle." "Nigh to the city." (19:20) - "Near to the city." "Woven from the top throughout." (19:23) - "Woven from top to bottom." "Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it." (19:24) - Just as prophesied in Psalms 22:18, the executioners divided up Jesus' clothes and gambled for His robe. "His mother's sister." (19:25) - This is Zebedee's wife, the mother of the disciples James and John (Mark 10:35), and Jesus' aunt (she was the Virgin Mary's sister). Salome was a devoted follower of Christ. While most of the disciples fled, Salome not only went to Calvary to witness the crucifixion, but stayed until the agonizing end (Matthew 27:54-56; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49; John 19:25). Three days later, she went to Jesus' tomb to anoint His body with spices but found it empty (Mark 16:1-8). "Mary Magdalene." (19:25) - From the village of Magdala, she is one of seven Mary's mentioned in the New Testament. After Jesus freed her from seven demons (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2), Mary became a devoted follower who traveled with Jesus and His group. She made the final trip to Jerusalem and was there at the crucifixion (Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:40; John 19:25). When others fled, Mary bravely stood vigil beside the cross until Jesus died (Luke 23:46-49). Mary was still on Calvary when Jesus was taken off the cross and buried (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55). Three days later, with Salome and Mary (the mother of James), she went to anoint Jesus' body and found the grave empty. Mary Magdalene was among the first to hear that Jesus had been resurrected(Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8) and the first to see Him after He had arisen (Mark 16:9; John 20:10-16). "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by." (19:26) - The disciple is John, the author of this Gospel. "A vessel full of vinegar." (19:29) - This was a cheap vinegar wine (Numbers 6:3) popular with Roman soldiers. Centuries earlier, Psalm 69:21 predicted that Jesus would be given vinegar to drink. "Put it upon hyssop." (19:29) - "Stuck it on a hyssop branch (stick)." "The bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day." (19:31) - It was a Roman custom to leave bodies on the cross for days as a warning to others, but this was forbidden by Jewish law (Deuteronomy 21:23). "Besought Pilate that their legs might be broken." (19:31) - The legs of the crucified were often broken to hasten death. Not only did breaking the legs cause agonizing pain, but the condemned could no longer push themselves up on the cross to catch a breath. Death came within minutes, allowing the executors to leave. "He was dead already." (19:33) - "Some medical authorities have said that in the case of heart rupture..., the blood collects in the... lining around the wall of the heart, and divides into a sort of bloody clot and a watery serum. If this is a fact, then the actual immediate physical cause of Jesus' death was a heart rupture. Under intense pain, and the pressure of his wildly raging blood, his heart burst open. It may be that Jesus, literally, died of a heart broken over the sin of the world. It may be that suffering for human sin is more than the human constitution can stand." (Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 549) "Forthwith." (19:34) - Means, "immediately." "He that saw it bare record." (19:35) - "He (John) that saw it bore witness." "For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken." (19:36) - Per Mosaic Law, it was unlawful to break a bone of a sacrificial lamb (Numbers 9:12), and Jesus was the ultimate sacrificial lamb paying the penalty for our sins. So, as predicted in Exodus 12:46 and Psalm 34:20, not one of Jesus' bones was broken despite the beatings and the crucifixion. "They shall look on him whom they pierced." (19:37) - Just as predicted in Psalm 22:16 and Zechariah 12:10 five hundred years earlier. |
You can find more details on the crucifixion in Matthew 27:33-44 (lesson 60), Mark 15:22-32 (lesson 98), and Luke 23:33-43 (lesson 159).
New Living Translation
John 19:17-37
17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).
18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them.
19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.
21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, "Change it from 'The King of the Jews' to 'He said, I am King of the Jews."
22 Pilate replied, "No, what I have written, I have written."
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
24 So they said, "Rather than tearing it apart, let's throw dice for it." This fulfilled the Scripture that says, "They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing." So that is what they did.
25 Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son."
27 And he said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
The Death of Jesus
28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, "I am thirsty."
29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.
30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.
31 It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn't want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was the Passover). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down.
32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus.
33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn't break his legs.
34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe.)
36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, "Not one of his bones will be broken,"
37 and "They will look on the one they pierced."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).
18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them.
19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."
20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.
21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, "Change it from 'The King of the Jews' to 'He said, I am King of the Jews."
22 Pilate replied, "No, what I have written, I have written."
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
24 So they said, "Rather than tearing it apart, let's throw dice for it." This fulfilled the Scripture that says, "They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing." So that is what they did.
25 Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son."
27 And he said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
The Death of Jesus
28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, "I am thirsty."
29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.
30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.
31 It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn't want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was the Passover). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down.
32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus.
33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn't break his legs.
34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.
35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe.)
36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, "Not one of his bones will be broken,"
37 and "They will look on the one they pierced."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Today's question:
1. What was finished? (19:30)
These lessons are not meant to convert unbelievers. Rather, to introduce them to Jesus so He can work on their hearts and minds.
1. What was finished? (19:30)
These lessons are not meant to convert unbelievers. Rather, to introduce them to Jesus so He can work on their hearts and minds.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. By saying "it is finished," Jesus meant that He had completed the task God sent him to do (John 17:4), to bring salvation and redemption to mankind. Before the cross, sinners found forgiveness by sacrificing animals to God. Since people sin repeatedly, they had to routinely offer more sacrifices. After the cross, humanity had a new relationship with God. With His death, Jesus became the last sacrifice ever needed (1 Corinthians 5:7). He became "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world."
Additional notes:
1) Jesus, the ultimate and final sacrificial lamb, died on the cross at the same time that the Passover lambs were being sacrificed in Jerusalem.
2) The word "finished" (9:30) is translated from the Greek word "Tetelestai," which means the same as "paid in full." And isn't that what Jesus did, paid our debt in full?
Application thought for the day:
What does the crucifixion teach us about Jesus Christ?
1. By saying "it is finished," Jesus meant that He had completed the task God sent him to do (John 17:4), to bring salvation and redemption to mankind. Before the cross, sinners found forgiveness by sacrificing animals to God. Since people sin repeatedly, they had to routinely offer more sacrifices. After the cross, humanity had a new relationship with God. With His death, Jesus became the last sacrifice ever needed (1 Corinthians 5:7). He became "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world."
Additional notes:
1) Jesus, the ultimate and final sacrificial lamb, died on the cross at the same time that the Passover lambs were being sacrificed in Jerusalem.
2) The word "finished" (9:30) is translated from the Greek word "Tetelestai," which means the same as "paid in full." And isn't that what Jesus did, paid our debt in full?
Application thought for the day:
What does the crucifixion teach us about Jesus Christ?
Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke