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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

CHAPTER NINETEEN:
EXECUTION AND BURIAL

[“It has been accomplished”]
Key word: Pierced

John 19:1-7 – “Behold, the Man!”

JN19:1 So then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged. 985

985

Scourged: Or, flogged, lashed, whipped with cords. The flagellum of the Romans where the number of strokes was determined by the commander. It was constructed of leather strands embedded with pieces of metal. Such a beating could leave scores of wounds, all profusely bleeding. The Romans also beat with rods, or long whipping sticks. Jesus foretold such treatment. [Matthew 20:19] It is possible Isaiah 50:6 was the basis for a prophecy. Compare Matthew 27:26. Jesus would have his upper clothes pealed back and his arms tied to a table.

JN19:2 Also, the soldiers braided a crown out of thorns and put it upon his head. 986 They threw about him a purple robe,

986

Soldiers braided a crown out of thorns and put it upon his head: Matthew 27:29-31 adds that Jesus was also beaten with reed whips. This likely was about the head with its crown of thorns, driving the extremely sharp barbs into his scalp. The scalp bleeds profusely from even the slightest wounds. The head, hair, and face of Jesus would be covered in blood. [Mark 15:17-20; Luke 23:11]

JN19:3 and they kept approaching him and saying, “Greetings, king of the Jews!” And they kept slapping him. 987

987	They kept slapping him: The slap of a muscular Roman solider could break a nose, split a lip, rupture an ear, and loosen teeth.

JN19:4 Then Pilate went outside again and said to the Jews: “Look, I am bringing him outside, so that you people will realize that I can find not a single cause against him.” 988

988	Not a single cause against him: Or, no fault, no charge, no crime. Isaiah 53:8, 9 had foretold justice would be taken from him despite Messiah having done no violence or deception. Pilate confirms this. [John 18:38; Luke 23:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21]

JN19:5 So, Jesus came outside 989 wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Then Pilate said to the Jews: “Behold, the man!” 990

989	Jesus came outside: The Nazarene must have been a sight, the crown and robe covering to a degree the damage to his body already. We see those eyes viewing the crowd in the bright morning light.

990	Behold, the man: There have been many things written about this statement. Many see a degree of respect in Pilate’s words. The Nazarene was a man, called anthropoid in Greek and hominid in Latin.

JN19:6 Now when the chief priests and the Jewish officials saw Jesus, they cried out, saying: “Impale! 991 Impale!” Pilate told them: “You [Jews] take him and you impale him! Because I cannot find any cause against him.”

991	Impale: Or, crucify. The Greek is STAUROSON [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4717, impale; from the root “a [upright] stake or post.”] For details research the Greek in lexicons. Because of strong tradition favoring the early Latin crucify, or crucifixion have become embedded.

JN19:7 The Jews answered Pilate: “We have a law and according to that law, he deserves to die, because he made himself a son of God!” 992

992

He deserves to die, because he made himself a son of God: Or, the Son of God. It is interesting that if Jesus had claimed to actually be God as some suggest from John 5:18 and John 10:29, they did not bring the greater charge. Here the Jewish basis is one of blasphemy in claiming to be the Messiah or the Son of God. Later, the charge is amended to include sedition and laesa majestas. Had Jesus uttered the Divine Name YHWH they could also have charged him with a violation of Leviticus 24:16. Compare Matthew 26:63.

John 19:8-11 – Jesus Silent

JN19:8 Now when Pilate heard this statement, it caused him to become fearful. JN19:9 He entered the Praetorium again and said to Jesus: “Where are you from?” But, Jesus did not give him an answer. 993

993	Jesus did not give him an answer: Jesus has remained silent and unresponsive to a number of questions. [Matthew 27:12-14] This in fulfillment of Isaiah 53:7. [Acts 8:32] How would Pilate react to the real answer regarding Jesus’ origin – heaven?

JN19:10 So Pilate said to Jesus: “Do you not realize that I have authority to either release you or impale you?” JN19:11 Jesus answered him: “You would have no authority against me if it had not been given to you from above. 994 For this reason the person who handed me over to you has a greater sin.” 995

994	Given to you from above: Jesus is not afraid of Pilate. Compare notes on Romans 13:1ff regarding his statement. [Daniel 4:1ff]

995	The person who handed me over to you has a greater sin: Pilate’s sin pales before that of Judas. Both will be raised in the judgment to face their guilt by a greater Judge. [Revelation 20:12-14]

John 19:12-16 – “Shall I Impale Your King?”

JN19:12 For this reason Pilate continued to seek to release Jesus. 996 But the Jews cried out, saying: “If you ever release this person you are not a friend of Caesar! 997 Everyone making himself a king is speaking against Caesar!” 998

996	Pilate continued to seek to release Jesus: Jesus has said that Pilate does have a degree of sin. This has struck hard at the governor. He later washes his hands as a Roman object lesson that he is not guilty in the matter.

997	You are not a friend of Caesar: This could not be ignored because Caesar has been brought into the matter. In Greek “Caesar” is the same as the German word Kaiser. The Russian is Czar.

998	Speaking against Caesar: There is the basis for a Roman execution. We note both charges come from the Jews. Unless one has been present among an angry and emotional mob it is hard to imagine the height of tensions here. The real and intense hatred of Jesus by the Jews as a people is manifest.

JN19:13 So, Pilate, having heard these statements, led Jesus outside, and he sat down on the judgment-seat 999 in a place called Stone Pavement 1000 – which is ‘Gabbatha’ in Hebrew. 1001

999	The judgment-seat: Or, the Bench. Literally it is “step.” Compare 2 Corinthians 5:10.

1000	Stone Pavement: Or, Pavement, Lithostrotos. A special place of formal judgment.

1001

Gabbatha in Hebrew: Several times John uses Hebrew translations in this account. Why would he do this over 60 years later, with Jerusalem destroyed in the year 70? Is it because, as he does elsewhere, he cements the blame of the Jews for Messiah’s judgment and death? He uses the words he knew and heard Jews use for these locations. These were real and well-known locations.

JN19:14 Now it was preparation of the Passover 1002 – it was the sixth hour. 1003 And so Pilate said to the Jews, “Behold, your king!” 1004

1002	Preparation of the Passover: See notes elsewhere under preparation regarding the divergent views among the Jews regarding Passover. [Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:14, 31, 42]

1003	Sixth hour: Or, high noon, twelve o’clock.

1004	Behold, your king: Perhaps less a criticism of Jesus than a sarcasm toward the Jews.

JN19:15 As a result the Jews cried out: “Away! Away! Impale him!” Pilate asked them: “Shall I impale your king?” 1005 The chief priests answered: 1006 “We have no king but Caesar!” 1007

1005	Shall I impale your king: Pilate makes sure the Jewish crowd goes on record as supporting his judgment.

1006	Chief priests answered: The Jewish hierarchy are heard above the crowd.

1007	We have no king but Caesar: These words will return to haunt them in the judgment before Messiah. [Matthew 12:35, 36] This Roman “king” will destroy their city in 70 AD.

JN19:16 So then, Pilate handed Jesus over to them 1008 so that he might be impaled.

1008	Pilate handed Jesus over to them: Though the “them” may be limited to the Roman guard, it surely includes those who have just screamed for Messiah’s execution.

John 19:17-22 – The Impalement

JN19:17 Then they took Jesus into their custody, and carrying his stake himself, 1009 he went out to the spot called Skull Place, 1010 which is ‘Golgotha’ in Hebrew. 1011

1009	Carrying his stake himself: Matthew 27:32 adds that the weakened Nazarene is assisted by Simon the Cyrene. [Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26] For more details on this walk to Golgotha compare Luke 23:26-30.

1010	Skull Place: The place is identifiable today.

1011	Golgotha in Hebrew: Another emphasis on the Jewish culpability. [Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:22]

JN19:18 There they impaled Jesus 1012 and with him two others beside him and Jesus in the middle. 1013

1012

There they impaled Jesus: There are a variety of opinions on the specific process, but judging from all the evidence both the wrists and ankles of Jesus were nailed to a pole [or cross] and possibly leaned up against a “hanging tree.” See notes below. The Roman impalement or crucifixion was one of the most tortuous forms of death, for people could last for days exposed to the sun. Death ultimately results from heart failure or general organ failure due to extreme thirst. Compare the Biblical Article in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on The Suffering and Death of Messiah Foretold.

1013	With him two others beside him and Jesus in the middle: It has been suggested based on the way the legs were broken later, these three were not in a perfect row, but possibly on poles leaned against a tree in something of a semi-circle seen from above. Luke 23:33, 39, 50 describes these more fully.

JN19:19 Also, Pilate wrote a title and put it upon the stake. On it he had written: “Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews.” JN19:20 Now this title was read by many Jews 1014 because the place where they impaled Jesus was near the city. It was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 1015

1014

Now this title was read by many Jews: The eyewitnesses must have been enormous for hundreds of thousands came to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. The news of this event would have overwhelmed the city as the ghoulish showed up. This was not a private death that occurred obscurely in a home in the country. Multitudes knew such a man as Jesus of Nazareth died during the Jewish Passover in this year.

1015

Written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek: The three languages of the region. No one who passed this sign could not know what Pilate called Jesus. Certainly it was derogatory of the Jews and their “king.” Crowds had hailed Jesus just days before as king. This is what happens to anyone in the Roman Empire who claims to be a king, or gets involved in an uprising.

JN19:21 As a result the chief priests of the Jews told Pilate: “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews’ but rather, ‘This person said, “I am King of the Jews”’!” JN19:22 Pilate answered them: “What I have written, I have written.”

John 19:23-24 – Casting Lots on His Garments

JN19:23 Now when the soldiers impaled Jesus they took his outer garments and made four parts, 1016 to each soldier a part, and the seamless inner garment which was woven throughout its length. 1017

1016

Outer garments and made four parts: To cultures with closets filled with clothes, most seldom worn, this will seem strange. The average person in this world had less than a handful of garments to be worn throughout most of their lives. Garments were valuable and could be used as collateral against a loan. How would God arrange that the prophecy of casting lots of Messiah’s clothing would be fulfilled?

1017	The seamless inner garment which was woven throughout its length: Few people owned such a garment in Palestine. It is possible this special garment was woven for Jesus by one of those women described in Luke 8:3. Note how Tabitha is praised for just such a charity. [Acts 9:36, 39]

JN19:24 As a result they said to one another: “Let us not rip it, but let us determine by lot to whom it will belong.” This was so that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “They distributed my outer garments among themselves and upon my apparel they cast lot.” 1018 [Psalm 22:18] For a certainty the soldiers did these things. 1019

1018

They distributed my outer garments among themselves and upon my apparel they cast lot: John quotes Psalm 22:18. It is difficult not to read Psalm 22, written 1,000 years before Christ died, and not see the suffering of a Jewish man on a stake. One wonders where these garments ended up and at least one popular book has been written about The Robe.

1019	A certainty the soldiers did these things: John makes this note because he was present and witnessed these events.

John 19:25-27 – “Woman, Your Son”

JN19:25 Now his mother was standing before the stake of Jesus, 1020 also his mother’s sister, 1021 Mary of the Clopas family, 1022 and Mary the Magdalene. 1023

1020	His mother was standing before the stake of Jesus: Only a mother could imagine Mary’s own suffering. The suffering Jew in Psalm 22 mentions his mother.

1021	Mother’s sister: Or, Jesus’ aunt. These women would have known Jesus from birth.

1022	Mary of the Clopas family: One of the three “Marys” here, the “other Mary.” [Matthew 27:56, 61] The mother of the apostles James the Less and Joses.

1023	Mary the Magdalene: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Matthew 27:56. [Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49] Compare Luke 8:1-3.

JN19:26 So, having seen his mother, as well as that disciple whom he loved 1024 standing beside her, he said to his mother: “Woman, see your son.”

1024	That disciple whom he loved: That is, John. See notes John 13:23; 21:7, 20] The only disciple to witness the execution closely.

JN19:27 Then next to that disciple, he said: “See, your mother.” And so from that moment the disciple took her into his own home. 1025

1025	So from that moment the disciple took her into his own home: Despite his extreme suffering the Nazarene still thinks of his mother’s care and by this puts her under the charge of his beloved apostle John. Mary is later seen with the waiting disciples in Jerusalem. [Acts 1:14]

John 19:28-30 – “It Has Been Accomplished!”

JN19:28 After this, when Jesus knew 1026 that already everything had been accomplished, so that the Scripture might be perfected, 1027 he said: “I am thirsty!”

1026	Jesus knew: He is aware, despite the depths of his agony, of the prophetic process involving the Messiah.

1027	So that the Scripture might be perfected: Or, fulfilled, accomplished, finished, might come true. The Greek is TELEIOTHE [ended]. There is no specific allusion here, but the thirst is surely from Psalm 22:15.

JN19:29 A vessel full of vinegar 1028 was laying there, so they approached Jesus with a sponge full of the vinegar on a stick, and put it to his mouth.

1028	Vinegar: An allusion to the prophecy at Psalm 69:21. Compare Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36. Often this vinegar or sour wine was drugged to extend the life of the tortured over a longer period.

JN19:30 Therefore, when he had received the vinegar, Jesus said, “It has been accomplished!” 1029 And then his head fell and his last breath escaped. 1030

1029	It has been accomplished: Or, it is finished, the task is done. The last words of the Nazarene during “the days of his flesh.” [Hebrews 5:7] For more details on this moment see the notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Matthew 27:45-50. [Mark 15:33-39; Luke 23:44-46]

1030	And then his head fell and his last breath escaped: Or, KJV: bowed his head, and gave up the spirit; RIE: gave up his life. The Greek PNEUMA is first literally breath, or wind. [Compare Ecclesiastes 12:7.]

John 19:31-34 – The Messiah Pierced

JN19:31 Since it was Preparation, 1031 the Jews, so that the bodies might not remain upon the stake 1032 – for it was the day of a Great Sabbath 1033 – they requested that Pilate break their legs 1034 and take the bodies down. 1035

1031	Since it was Preparation: See notes above on preparation.

1032	So that the bodies might not remain upon the stake: There is a ring of hypocrisy here! [Deuteronomy 21:23] They have just murdered an innocent man and they are concerned about profaning the Passover.

1033	It was the day of a Great Sabbath: This would be from that perspective of Jews who held to this particular observance of the Passover. Friday at 6 PM both Sabbaths began, and also the first day of the Passover festival which made this a high holy day. [Leviticus 23:6-8]

1034	Break their legs: As long as a person could keep weight on the legs and raise their body, they could breath. Crucifixion was a slow death of suffocation and then heart failure. The death could be brought on in hours by breaking the legs of the victim.

1035	Take the bodies down: The Romans would leave dead bodies on the stake until they were consumed by birds or rotted off.

JN19:32 So the soldiers came and did, indeed, break the legs of the first and then the other. 1036

1036

Break the legs of the first and then the other: If the three were in a line, Jesus would be the second victim approached for breaking the legs. However, if the victims were in a semi-circle, with execution poles leaning against a tree, it would be possible to approach the first man, move around the tree to the second, and then approach Jesus.

JN19:33 But, on coming to Jesus, as they saw he had already died, they did not break his legs. JN19:34 However, one of the soldiers pierced the side of Jesus with a spear, 1037 and instantly blood and fluid came out. 1038

1037	One of the soldiers pierced the side of Jesus with a spear: It is possible Jesus was pierced twice. [Matthew 27:49] This piercing was to assure death. [Isaiah 53:5; Zechariah 12:10] Compare also John 20:25.

1038	Blood and fluid came out: Or, water. Because the heart is unable to continue to remove bodily fluids, it builds up in the pericardium.

John 19:35-37 – John’s Testimony

JN19:35 Now the person who says this has given his testimony, 1039 and that person knows that he speaks the truth, so that all of you [readers] may believe. 1040

1039	The person who says this has given his testimony: That is, John.

1040	So that all of you [readers] may believe: Compare John 20:11; 21:24; 1 John 1:1.

JN19:36 All of these things occurred so that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be crushed.” 1041 [Psalm 34:20]

1041	Not one of his bones will be crushed: John quotes from Psalm 34:20.

JN19:37 And again a different Scripture says: “They will look to the One they pierced.” 1042 [Zechariah 12:10]

1042	They will look to the One they pierced: Or, they will look on. John quotes from a version of Zechariah 12:10. For details on this see Zechariah 12:10 in Nazarene Commentary 2000© Error of the Trinity. Compare also notes on Revelation 1:7.

John 19:38-42 – Preparations for Burial

JN19:38 Now after these events Joseph of Arimathea 1043 – a secret disciple of Jesus out of fear of the Jews 1044 – asked Pilate that he might carry away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave his permission. So Joseph came and removed the body.

1043

Joseph of Arimathea: A rich Jewish member of the Sanhedrin. [Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:43-46; Luke 23:50-53] It is likely the tomb provided was for that of Joseph himself. [Compare Isaiah 53:9. Archaeology has discovered 70 tombs outside of Jerusalem where members of the Sanhedrin were buried. Some believe one of these was the tomb of Jesus.

1044	A secret disciple of Jesus out of fear of the Jews: Compare John 7:13; 9:22.

JN19:39 Also, Nicodemus 1045 – the person who approached Jesus at night originally – brought a roll of myrrh and aloes weighing a hundred pounds. 1046

1045	Nicodemus: See notes on John 3:1ff.

1046	Roll of myrrh and aloes weighing a hundred pounds: A considerable amount of burial preparations after the custom of wealthy Jews. [Isaiah 53:9]

JN19:40 And so, they took the body of Jesus and bound it in bandages with the spices, 1047 according to the custom of the Jews in preparation for burial.

1047	Bound it in bandages with the spices: Many believe the Shroud of Turin gives evidence of these spices and flowers. Compare notes on John 20:7.

JN19:41 Now near the place where Jesus was impaled there was a garden, and in the garden a new memorial tomb 1048 in which no one had ever been placed.

1048	A new memorial tomb: For details on this word see the notes on John 5:28. See notes above on the tomb.

JN19:42 It was there, then, because of the Preparation of the Jews, they placed Jesus.

Review Questions on Chapter Nineteen