26: The crucifixion and death of Jesus — John 19:16-42

19 So they took Jesus; ¹⁷ and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. ¹⁸ There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. ¹⁹ Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. ²¹ Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” ²² Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” ²³ When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. ²⁴ So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill what the scripture says,
“They divided my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
²⁵ And that is what the soldiers did.

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” ²⁷ Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

²⁸ After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. ³⁰ When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

³¹ Since it was the day of Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies removed. ³² Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴ Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. ³⁵ (He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.) ³⁶ These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, “None of his bones shall be broken.” ³⁷ And again another passage of scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.”

³⁸ After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. ³⁹ Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. ⁴⁰ They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. ⁴¹ Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. ⁴² And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.  NRSV

Get into the Word

1. What happened just prior to the soldiers taking Jesus? Why would Pilate choose such a title for Jesus? How did the Jews react? Why would they be upset? What is Pilate’s response? 

3. What are the soldiers doing during the crucifixion? Why would they divide up Jesus’ clothing? How do you suppose they felt about these events [check Luke 24:47]?

4. Who else was present at this time? Why would they be at the crucifixion? How does Jesus respond to their presence? What do you think they were feeling as they watched?

5. Why does Jesus say he is thirsty? What do the soldiers do in response? What did Jesus mean when he said “It is finished?”

7. What happens after Jesus dies? Why did the soldier pierce Jesus’ side? Why does John make such a point of the Old Testament verses?

8. Who assists in burying Jesus? Why do you think they weren’t present at the cross? What makes them get involved at this point? 

Get Personal

What is the strongest image for you when you think about the crucifixion? How does God help you understand the meaning of Jesus’ death in your own life? How do you share this with other people?

Golgotha — the Aramaic word for “skull” as the place Jesus was crucified, (the Latin word for skull is “calvaria” which led to “Calvary”).
19:17. Carrying the cross — the Romans required the person to carry the cross bar to his own execution; there would have been a number of upright posts (probably about 10 feet high) dug in at the site. The victim was attached to the bar with nails through the wrists, then hoisted up onto the post.
19:18. Two others — the other Gospel writers identify these two as “criminals,” (which fulfills Isaiah 53:12).
19:19. Inscription — Romans often required the condemned person to carry a placard indicating why he was being crucified.
19:21. Priests said — the priests still refuse to recognize who Jesus is and seek to diminish the “title;” but Pilate is through giving in to them.
19:23. Crucified — it was neither a pretty nor a speedy method of execution, some records indicate the person could remain alive for nine days. Usually the person died of asphyxiation when he could no longer hold his head up and keep his airway open to breath.

19:26. Here is your son — part of “honoring your father and mother” was to care for them in their old age. Jesus’ mother was probably a widow at this time and he gives his disciple the burden of her care (even though she had other sons).
19:29. Hyssop — the plant is referred to in several passages from the Law regarding sacrifice and cleansing: Exodus 12:22, Leviticus 14:4-7, and Numbers 19:14-18, as well as Psalm 51:7: Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 
19:30. It is finished! — the Greek word can also mean “it is accomplished” or “it is paid.”
Gave up his spirit — Jesus is in charge even of his death.
19:38. Joseph . . . Nicodemus — both members of the Sanhedrin and secret followers of Jesus. Though they did not support him openly during his life, they went to considerable expense and risk to give him a proper burial.
19:40. Custom of the Jews — wrapping the body with cloth soaked in spices and a temporary burial on the same day. After a year the bones would be placed in a ceremonial box in a family tomb.