The Gospel Of John Chapter 19 Pt. 2 Prophecy Fulfilled, God Glorified!

Jesus is led away to be crucified. 

John 19:16-18  Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. 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.

In this section, John records his eyewitness, Spirit guided details of Jesus' crucifixion. As we read through his account we should remember that Jesus endured all the suffering "for us." 

(See Romans 5:8; 8:32; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; Hebrews 9:12; 9:24; 1 Peter 2:21; 4:1; 1 John 3:16).  

Matthew's gospel provides additional details about what happened right before Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified.

The mob demanded Jesus be crucified. 

Matthew 27:20-23  But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21)  The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22)  Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23)  And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.  

These same religious leaders saw Jesus work many mighty miracles, and heard truthful testimony that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. 

The religious leaders obscured the plain truth of the scriptures from the people, by superimposing man made traditions and making them of equal authority with God's Word.  

Jesus' teaching and preaching ripped down their rabbinical traditions which often contradicted what God actually said. This made the religious leaders into fierce enemies of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, they stirred up all the people and persuaded the mob to demand that Pilate release Barabbas. 

Pilate gave one more testimony of Jesus' innocence. He asked the religious leaders if they could specify any crime that Jesus committed. Their response was "Crucify him!"

Pilate said Jesus was innocent and washed his hands. 

Matthew 27:24-26  When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25) Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26)  Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 

Pilate saw the mob mentality could not be overcome, so he took a bowl of water and ceremonially washed his hands, as a show that he is innocent of taking the life of Jesus. 

This is Pilate's final witness that Jesus was innocent of all charges. Pilate called Jesus a "just" man. 

The word "just" means innocent, faultless and guiltless. It was used of someone who perfectly kept the laws of God. 

Remember when Caiaphas the high priest spoke by the Spirit of God, that it was expedient for one man to die, so that the nation was spared? (See John 11:50).

Here, John records the whole multitude saying something very important. "His blood be on us and on our children!" 

Although the people rejected Jesus Christ and demanded that He be crucified, God's plan to provide salvation was going forward. Salvation is by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse us from our sins.

The saving, cleansing power of Jesus' blood. 

Romans 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Romans 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Colossians 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Colossians 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Hebrews 13:12  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

These are only a few of the New Testament texts that speak about the blood of Jesus Christ. 

The book of Hebrews makes all the connections of the sacrificial law of God in Leviticus, with the blood of Jesus, His atoning death and our salvation. 

Why such an emphasis upon the blood of Christ? 

• Because God tells us without the shedding of blood, sins cannot be remitted, or forgiven (Hebrews 9:22). 

• Because the blood Jesus shed was the blood of God, spotless and able to pay for our sins (Acts 20:28).

John 19:16-18  Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. 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. 

We resume John's narrative about Jesus' death on the cross. He tells us that Jesus' cross was centered between two other crosses, on either side of Jesus. 

Jesus was called King of the Jews, but He will return as King of kings!

John 19:19-22  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. 

Pilate ordered that a tri-lingual inscription be attached to Jesus' cross. It declared that Jesus was the King of the Jews, but the religions leaders were upset with that title and asked Pilate to amend it to their liking. Pilate flatly refused their request. 

John 19:23-24  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. 

This text connects with Psalm 22:18 and is a prophecy about Messiah literally fulfilled by Jesus. 

John 19:25-27  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.

Jesus made sure that Mary, His mother, was taken care of. In this tender account, John tells us that Jesus turned to the disciple standing by, whom He loved, and gave His mother into this man's care. 

This disciple whom Jesus loved, is John. The apostle always spoke of himself in that manner (See John 13:23). 

From that moment, John took Mary into His home. He would provide food, clothing and shelter for her, as if she was his own mother. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

The main thought for us to contemplate, is that the death, burial and shedding of Jesus's blood, was done "for us." This was the only way God can save sinners who turn to Jesus Christ with repentant faith. 

We can also be encouraged by taking note of how many different prophecies concerning the suffering Savior, were literally fulfilled. 

This means that God can be trusted to keep all of His promises to us. 

Let us then glory in the cross of Christ and our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bob