John19
English Standard Version
1 him.
2 the a and in a .
3They him, , , of the ! with their .
4 to , , I am to you may I .
5 , the of the . to , the !
6 the the , they , him, him! to , him, .
7The , a , to that he to he has the of .
8 , he was even .
9 his to , Where ? .
10 to , You will to ? Do you I to to ?
11 him, You would at it had from . he who to the .
12From then to , the , you this , you . who a .
13 when , he the a The , in .
14 it the of the . was the . He to the , !
15 , Away him, with him, ! to , Shall I ? The , We .
16 he to be . they ,
17 he , own , to The Place of a , in is .
18 they , , , .
19 an it the . It , of , the of the .
20 of the , the was the , it in , in , and in .
21 the of the to , Do , The of the , , This , I of the .
22 , I have I have .
23 the had , they them into , one for ; his . the , to bottom,
24 they , Let us , to see it shall . This was the , They among , they . the these ,
25 the of were , the of , .
26 his the he nearby, he to , , , !
27 he to the , , ! the his home.
28 , , was , ( the ), I .
29A of there, they a of the a branch held it .
30 had the , he , It is , he his and his .
31 it the , and so the would the the ( a ), the might be that they might be taken .
32 the the of the , of the had been with .
33 they and that was , they did .
34 of the with a , at there came .
35He who it has borne — , and he is the — may .
36 these took the might be : Not of will be .
37 , They will him they have .
38 these , who a of , of the , he might take the of , . he took .
39 , had by , a of , in weight.
40 they the of in the , the of the .
41 the he was there a , the a no had been .
42 of the , the close at , they .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 19.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Christ condemned and crucified. (1–18). Christ on the cross. (19–30). His side pierced. (31–37). The burial of Jesus. (38–42).
vv1-18
Little did Pilate think with what holy regard these sufferings of Christ would, in after-ages, be thought upon and spoken of by the best and greatest of men. Our Lord Jesus came forth, willing to be exposed to their scorn. It is good for every one with faith, to behold Christ Jesus in his sufferings. Behold him, and love him; be still looking unto Jesus. Did their hatred sharpen their endeavours against him? and shall not our love for him quicken our endeavours for him and his kingdom? Pilate seems to have thought that Jesus might be some person above the common order. Even natural conscience makes men afraid of being found fighting against God. As our Lord suffered for the sins both of Jews and Gentiles, it was a special part of the counsel of Divine Wisdom, that the Jews should first purpose his death, and the Gentiles carry that purpose into effect. Had not Christ been thus rejected of men, we had been for ever rejected of God. Now was the Son of man delivered into the hands of wicked and unreasonable men. He was led forth for us, that we might escape. He was nailed to the cross, as a Sacrifice bound to the altar. The Scripture was fulfilled; he did not die at the altar among the sacrifices, but among criminals sacrificed to public justice. And now let us pause, and with faith look upon Jesus. Was ever sorrow like unto his sorrow? See him bleeding, see him dying, see him and love him! love him, and live to him!
vv19-30
Here are some remarkable circumstances of Jesus' death, more fully related than before. Pilate would not gratify the chief priests by allowing the writing to be altered; which was doubtless owing to a secret power of God upon his heart, that this statement of our Lord's character and authority might continue. Many things done by the Roman soldiers were fulfilments of the prophecies of the Old Testament. All things therein written shall be fulfilled. Christ tenderly provided for his mother at his death. Sometimes, when God removes one comfort from us, he raises up another for us, where we looked not for it. Christ's example teaches all men to honour their parents in life and death; to provide for their wants, and to promote their comfort by every means in their power. Especially observe the dying word wherewith Jesus breathed out his soul. It is finished; that is, the counsels of the Father concerning his sufferings were now fulfilled. It is finished; all the types and prophecies of the Old Testament, which pointed at the sufferings of the Messiah, were accomplished. It is finished; the ceremonial law is abolished; the substance is now come, and all the shadows are done away. It is finished; an end is made of transgression by bringing in an everlasting righteousness. His sufferings were now finished, both those of his soul, and those of his body. It is finished; the work of man's redemption and salvation is now completed. His life was not taken from him by force, but freely given up.
vv31-37
A trial was made whether Jesus was dead. He died in less time than persons crucified commonly did. It showed that he had laid down his life of himself. The spear broke up the very fountains of life; no human body could survive such a wound. But its being so solemnly attested, shows there was something peculiar in it. The blood and water that flowed out, signified those two great benefits which all believers partake of through Christ, justification and sanctification; blood for atonement, water for purification. They both flow from the pierced side of our Redeemer. To Christ crucified we owe merit for our justification, and Spirit and grace for our sanctification. Let this silence the fears of weak Christians, and encourage their hopes; there came both water and blood out of Jesus' pierced side, both to justify and sanctify them. The Scripture was fulfilled, in Pilate's not allowing his legs to be broken, Ps 34:20. There was a type of this in the paschal lamb, Ex 12:46. May we ever look to Him, whom, by our sins, we have ignorantly and heedlessly pierced, nay, sometimes against convictions and mercies; and who shed from his wounded side both water and blood, that we might be justified and sanctified in his name.
Key Words
Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos): close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman
λαμβάνω (lambánō): while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove))
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μαστιγόω (mastigóō): to flog (literally or figuratively)
στρατιώτης (stratiṓtēs): a camper-out, i.e. a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively)
πλέκω (plékō): to twine or braid
στέφανος (stéphanos): a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, G1238 (διάδημα)), literally or figuratively
ἐκ (ek): literal or figurative; direct or remote)
ἄκανθα (ákantha): a thorn
Cross References
John 19Directly quoted as the prophecy fulfilled by the Roman soldiers casting lots for Christ's seamless garment.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
The paschal lamb archetype; explicitly referenced as fulfilled when Christ's legs were not broken.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Directly quoted as fulfilled when the soldier pierced Jesus' side with a spear.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The messianic prophecy fulfilled when they gave Jesus vinegar (sour wine) to drink on the cross.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Fulfilled by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus burying Jesus in a rich man's garden tomb.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The earlier theological conflict where the Jews sought to kill Him for making Himself equal with God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicates the theological significance of Jesus bearing His cross and suffering outside the camp/city gate.
Supported by John Calvin
The specific Mosaic statute concerning false prophets that the Jews invoked to demand His execution.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Doctrinal parallel to Jesus' declaration that Pilate's governing authority is derived solely from above.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Synoptic parallel detailing the crucifixion, the parting of His garments, and the two thieves.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Mosaic law requiring that bodies hung on a tree must not remain overnight.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Highlights the spiritual growth of Nicodemus, who first came to Jesus in secret by night.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Suggests the origin of the purple or 'gorgeous' mock robe used by Herod's soldiers.
Supported by JFB
Prophesied that the Messiah would be 'numbered with the transgressors,' fulfilled by crucifixion between two others.
Supported by Matthew Henry