JOHN 18

 

 

 

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

 

• After praying His high priestly prayer, Jesus now goes to the Garden of Gethsemane. When Jesus went from the city of Jerusalem, and crossed the Brook Kidron, the brook would have been the color red from the blood of thousands of Passover lambs. This would have been a vivid reminder to Jesus of His soon sacrifice.
• The last time there was a battle like this in a garden, it was the Garden of Eden. Jesus enters this garden as a second Adam in full submission to the will of His Father as Son of Man, ready to do battle with Satan. The first Adam waited for Satan to come to him, but this Adam takes the initiative.
• The Geneva study Bible makes this insightful note: “Christ goes of his own accord into a garden, which his betrayer knew, to be taken, so that by his obedience he might take away the sin that entered into the world by one man's rebellion, and that in a garden.”

 

 

 

2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

 

• Evidently, Judas and the rest of the disciples would go to the Garden to pray with Jesus. But this time, Judas is going to the garden to betray Jesus.

 

 

 

3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

 

• Officers-The Levitical guard of the Temple, together, probably, with Sanhedrin officials.

 

 

 

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

 

• In verse 4, John mentions the foreknowledge of Jesus; knowing all things that should come upon Him.
• John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

 

 

 

5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

 

• Mt 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
• John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
• The personal pronoun he is italicized in the KJV, which means that it was added by the translators. If you drop the italicized pronoun, you are left both here and in verse 8 with Jesus declaring I AM.

 

 

 

6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

 

• When Jesus declares who He is (I Am), the soldiers fall back. This display of deity proves that Jesus was not "arrested" at all; He willingly gave Himself up so He could protect His disciples. After all, He could have just kept saying I AM and walked way!
• Family Bible Note says: “This showed that they were completely in his power; had he seen fit, he could easily have escaped their hands, or summoned legions of angels to his rescue.”

 

 

 

7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

 

• Jesus, The Great Shepherd, insists that the Romans let His sheep go. Such was the love of Christ to His disciples, that He was more ready to save them from their enemies, than to save Himself from the agonies of the cross.

 

 

 

9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

 

• John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
• Do not miss the assurance of salvation that we have in Jesus in the words, None of them is lost.
• John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
• This act of Jesus was a fulfillment o Bible prophecy, Smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered (Zechariah 13:7).

 

• Mt 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

 

 

 

10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

 

• Comment on how the fact that the last person that Jesus heals on earth is this Roman soldier. Also comment on what Peter did was a crime that was punishable by execution and that by healing the man, Jesus destroyed the evidence against Peter as if he never did the crime.

 

 

 

11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

 

• By using the word "cup" John gives us an echo of the agony of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. Lu 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
• What Jesus was saying here was that if there was any other way for the sin of mankind to be atoned for and fallen man saved and restored to fellowship with The Father other than Him going to the cross, let the cup of the cross pass from Him.
• The fact that Jesus drank the cup and suffered on Calvary means that there is no other way for a person to be saved and that only the Jesus of Scripture is Lord and Savior.

 

 

 

12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

 

·      There was no need to bind Jesus. Jesus was bound by cords that were stronger than the ropes that they used. He was bound by His love for His Father and the sacrifice on the cross that would provide eternal redemption for whosoever believeth in Him.

 

 

 

13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

 

• Annas was not the official High Priest; but as father-in-law to Caiaphas, he was the "power behind the throne." The influence of Annas historically is shown by the fact that he made five of his sons and sons-in-law high priests.
• Christ is brought before an earthly high priest to be condemned for our blasphemies, that we might be acquitted by the sacrifice of The Everlasting High Priest Himself.

 

 

 

14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people (John 11.49-52).

 

 

 

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple:  that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

 

• This other disciple is almost universally accepted as evidently the apostle John himself, who thus speaks of himself impersonally.

 

 

 

16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

 

• It was then and still is still customary to have female porters at the homes.   Ac 12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

 

 

 

17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

 

• TFG study note says, “The cowardly "I am not" of Peter is a sad contrast to the strong "I am he" of Jesus”

 

 

 

18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

 

• Here is Peter keeping himself warm in the enemy’s camp. Making yourself comfortable in the enemy’s camp is always a dangerous place for a child of God to be.

 

 

 

19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

 

21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

 

·      According to Roman law, the witnesses are supposed to come and bear witness of what they heard. The prisoner himself could not be forced to testify against himself. So Jesus was calling to him a point of order concerning the law.

 

 

 

22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

 

• The irony of this is that this Roman officer is striking The Great High Priest Himself.

 

 

 

23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

 

• Note how Jesus calmly, but most authoritatively rebuked the officer that smote Him. Paul does something similar to this in Acts 23:1-3
• "Christ," says Luther, "forbids self-defense with the hand, not with the tongue."

 

 

 

24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. 25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. 26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

 

• Isn’t it interesting that this man saw Peter cut off the ear of his kinsman and the miracle that Jesus performed and he says nothing about it?

 

 

 

27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

 

• The time of cockcrow began about three o'clock in the morning.
• Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him 3 ties before the rooster crowed (Matt 26.75).
• Luke 22.61,62 tells us that after the rooster crowed, The Lord turned to look at Peter, who then turned away and wept bitterly.
• David Guzik writes, “Notice that it is not Peter’s faith that fails, but his courage. After his failure he weeps bitterly, because he really does love his Lord.”

 

 

 

28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

 

• The synoptic gospels emphasize Jesus’ trials before the Jewish Sanhedrin; John emphasizes His trial before the Roman authority - Pontius Pilate.
• With great irony, John exposes the hypocrisy of the priests. They conduct a trial in violation of their very own laws in order to murder an innocent Jesus, yet they were afraid of ceremonial defilement. It’s interesting how corrupt religious people can sometimes be.
• As the fortress was a Gentile building and presumably had not been searched for unleavened bread, no orthodox Jew could enter such a place without being defiled. This only goes to prove once again how a person can be so blinded to their own sin by their religious rituals.
• They are bringing Jesus into the hall of judgment, but in reality, it is they who are on trial, not Jesus.

 

 

 

29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law.

 

• Pilate would rather not take the case; yet the Jews want him to take it so that they can lawfully have Jesus killed.

 

 

 

The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

 

• The Jews has lost the authority to execute capital punishment, thus they attempt to have Pilate crucify Jesus based solely on their accusation without any kind of a trial. Even though there was no case against Jesus, this all took place in order that the eternal plan of God was accomplished.
• Ac 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain

 

 

 

32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

 

• Jesus’ manner of death will also fulfill His own words (if I be lifted up, John 3:14). If the Jews had put Jesus to death for the crime of which they accused him, it would have been by  stoning. Le 24:16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him, and thus, the prophecy about the manner of His death would not have been fulfilled.
• 1,000 years before crucifixion was the means of capital punishment in the Roman Empire, it was written in Psalm 22 that the Messiah would be pierced for our iniquities.
• What really intrigues me is this…we remember how the Sanhedrin stoned Stephen to death for blasphemy in Acts 7. The sovereignty of God forbid these same men from stoning Jesus in order to fulfill the prophecy that The Messiah would be wounded and pierced for our transgressions.

 

 

 

33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

 

34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

 

• To the Romans, the title of "king" meant a political rival. Though Jesus was a King, He was not a political rival in the sense Pilate thought.
• Remember that the Jews falsely accused Jesus of being a rival to Caesar: Lu 23:2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

 

 

 

35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

 

Daniel prophesied of this kingdom:

 

• Da 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

 

 

 

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

 

• The words of Jesus about knowing why He came into the world clearly imply His pre-existence.

 

·      Yes, I’m a King. This is why I was born. “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: the government shall be upon his shoulder: his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it in judgment and in justice from henceforth even for ever” (Isaiah 9:6). Yes, I’m a King. “To this end I was born, for this cause I came into the world.” For what cause? To establish a kingdom. To establish the kingdom of God in the hearts and in the lives of those who will submit to His authority.

 

·      When Jesus is hanging on the cross, Pilate has it written above the cross, King of the Jews.

 

 

 

38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

 

• It is interesting how The Spirit of God is found protecting the witness of the innocence of Jesus. When Judas brought back the money, he said, I have betrayed innocent blood (Matthew 27:3,4).
• When the thieves were hanging beside Him on the cross, and the one thief was deriding Him, the other rebuked him and said, Don’t you fear God? We’re here because we deserve to be here: but this man has done nothing amiss (Luke 23:39-41).
• Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.
• 1Pe 1:18 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:

 

 

 

39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

 

• Mt 27:15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

 

 

 

40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

 

• In the Hebrew language, Barabbas means, bar, “son” and abbas “father”. Barabbas was guilty of sedition. Lu 23:19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Talk about blindness and depravity; here is Jesus Who has done nothing amiss. The Bible said He went about doing good ansd healing all that were oppressed with the devil. Healing all manner of sicknesses and all. And yet when given a choice, Jesus or Barabbas, they said, Release unto us Barabbas.
• Thus we have this scene where we have two son’s of fathers. One represents mankind and their sin, the other of course is The Lord of Glory Who was manifest to take away our sin.
• If anyone should be able to say, "Jesus died for me," it was Barabbas. He knew first hand what it was to have Jesus die on his behalf, he truly knew what it meant for the innocent to be taken for the guilty.
• Christ who was innocent was taken as a wicked person, that we who are wicked might be let go as innocent.
• We know from the other gospels that at some point in time Jesus stand before Herod to be cross examined. Herod, we are told was eager to meet Jesus because he hoped that He would perform a miracle for him.
• Ironically, during this trial, Herod and Pilate, who were formerly at odds with one another, were reconciled as friends

 

 JOHN 19

 

 

1 ¶ Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

• This scourging spoken of here beloved was painful beyond understanding. Prophesied in Psalm 22 & Isa 53. The scourging by the Roman government was a method by which they elicited confessions from accused criminals, usually from convicted criminals. It was a very torturous thing, a prisoner was tied to a post in such a way that his back was extended. And then they would lay across the back this whip that had little bits of glass and lead embedded in it that was designed to sort of rip the flesh as it was pulled off. Since Jesus ha nothing to confess, the intensity of these stripes would cause an excruciating pain.
• It is commonly held that Pilate had Jesus scourged, hoping that the Jews authorities would accept that rather than crucifixion.
• Some have suggested that since the blood of Jesus shed on the cross was for our forgiveness that the scourging or stripes that Jesus suffered was for our healing. Cp Matt 8, 1 Pet 2.
• We do know that one of our Lord’s Names is Jehovah Ropha…one of the gifts of the Spirit are the gifts of healing and miracles. James 5. How wonderful to know that we can come to The Father with our physical afflictions in child like faith.

 

2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

• The color purple was used for the veil of the tabernacle, the door of the tent and the ephod worn by the high priest. It wa s color associated with royalty.

 

3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

• Jesus is now being mocked and stricken by His creation. He is being abused by the very sinners for whom He is going to the cross.

• I find it interesting to read that immediately after the fall, when God pronounced a curse upon the ground, we read Ge 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee. So thorns represent the curse of sin.
• So, a crown made of the thorns, the symbol of the curse of sin is placed on Jesus head.
• We know that a person that failed to keep the law of God perfectly was placed under a curse, thus we read in Galatians, Ga 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But what do we read Jesus did on behalf of fallen man on Calvary?
•  Ga 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

 

4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. 5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

• Behold The Man. John had earlier said, Behold The Lamb.
• Jesus is The Man to follow beloved. He was crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
• May we take the time tonight to Behold The Man Christ Jesus and consider what Jesus did on our behalf.

 

6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

• Pilate and Judas knew that Jesus was innocent. The one that betrayed Jesus and the one that had Jesus sentenced to death declared that He was innocent.
• Some historical records say that after Jesus was crucified, Pilate went to Sicily and was crucified. We know that Judas hung himself. It is suicide my friends to betray Jesus…it is suicide to try to crucify Him.

 

7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

• In other words, The Jews wanted Jesus to be put to death because His claim to be The Son of God was a claim of Deity that was punishable by death according to their law. This is recorded for us in Matt 27-57-66
• Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
• Remember that it was Satan that also challenged Jesus claim to be The Son of God there on the pinnacle of the temple.
• Beware of any cult or religious group that seeks to diminish Who Jesus is to a great moral teacher or any other title. It is devilish; It is the doctrine of hell. Jesus is The Word made flesh. The I AM.

 

8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

• His wife also had sent to him to have nothing to do with that just man, for she had suffered many things in a dream because of him.

 

9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have  power to release thee?

11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

• Jesus is saying that the power of the civil magistrate is from God, and to God he is accountable for the use of it. God is sovereign in political position or people in places of authority. This is very interesting because in 1 Tim 2 we are told to pray for those who are in those places of authority.
• Judicial authority and power are gifts of God, for the use of which men are accountable to Him.
• In other words, God’s plan of redemption is being carried out; had not Jesus Christ been thus rejected of men, we had been for ever rejected of God.

 

12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

• The Jews now tell Pilate that if he releases Jesus who claimed to be a king, it would put his political career in danger, which at this time was already in hot water with Rome.
• So, the Jews contend that if Pilate released Jesus, he would in essence be releasing a king who threatened Roman authority, thus distancing himself even further from Caesar.

 

13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

• As I mentioned last week, the irony of this whole judgment seat scene is that Pilate is being judged, not Jesus. All that is happening here is the fulfillment of Bible Prophecy.
• Maybe there are some here tonight that are uncertain who Jesus is…you are putting His claims and His Word on trial, but know this, you my friend are on trial, not Jesus.

 

14And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

• It is likely that John uses the Roman method of counting time, and means 6 A.M.
• Earlier Pilate had declared, behold the man, now he declares, behold your king.

 

15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

• In 1 Sam 8, the nation rejected Jehovah from being their King. Here they refuse The Son. In Acts 7, they resist The Holy Spirit.
• Thus we see the chosen people of God rejecting The father in the Old Testament, refusing to acknowledge The Son as Messiah and resisting the Holy Spirit in the New Testament which calls into question irresistible grace since Heb 10 calls the Spirit of God the Spirit of grace.
• Some of those who thus cried crucify Him, died miserably in rebellion against Caesar forty years afterwards.

 

16 ¶ 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 (Latin Calvary): 18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

• The other gospels tell us that a man by the name of Simon the Cyrenian was called upon to bear the crossbar of Jesus because He was weak and weary. It was at this time that Jesus tells the daughters of Jerusalme to not weep for Him, but for themselves and the calamities that will come upon their nation.
• The calamities of the nation of Israel historically and presently cannot be separated from their rejection of God’s rule in their lives. But God is not through with the Jew. See Jer 31

• Crucified between 2 thieves. The location of Calvary was outside the north walls of the city; Heb 13:11-13, "without the camp"; "without the gate."

 

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 (Jewish or theological language), and Greek (intellectual language), and Latin (Roman or political language).

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.

• Jesus' tunic is described as being without seam, woven in one piece from top to bottom. That is the precise description of the linen tunic which the High Priest wore, according to Exodus 28.

 

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 (Psa 22.18). These things therefore the soldiers did.

• Gambling at the foot of the cross. Playing games at Calvary. May we never diminish so great a salvation or turn it into a game. We ought not to look at the cross as a way of obtaining more things, like the health and wealth heretic teach.
• There on the Cross Jesus was dying in agony; and there at the foot of the Cross the soldiers threw their dice as if it did not matter. Indifference towards Jesus is very common in today’s pluralistic society. Hostility towards Jesus Christ is to be expected, because men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil, but indifference to the cross of Calvary is tragic.

 

25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

• Remember on the day when Jesus was dedicated in the temple, amongst other things, it was told Mary by Simeon that a sword would pierce her heart. I cannot begin to imagine the pain and sorrow that Mary must have experienced seeing the child she gave birth to, nursed and loved hanging on the cross.

 

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.

• Note how the cross of Jesus Christ forms a new family at the cross. Cp. End of Matt 13.
• May this family of believers continue to learn what the cross of Jesus is meant to do amongst us practically and socially.
• Keep in mind that it was from the cross that the one thief was placed into that family beloved. Even on the cross Jesus is ministering to others…concerned for others.

 

28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst (Ps 69:21).

• I thirst, reminds us of the humanity of The Lord Jesus. Keep in mind that at the time John wrote this book, one of the most seductive religious groups were called the Gnostics. They were the pseudo intellectuals of the day. They blended spirituality with philosophy.
• One of its great tenets was that spirit was altogether good and matter altogether evil. Certain conclusions followed. One was that God, who was pure spirit, could never take upon himself a body, because that was matter, and matter was evil. They therefore taught that Jesus never had a real body. They said that he was only a phantom. They said, for instance, that when Jesus walked, his feet left no prints on the ground, because he was pure spirit in a phantom body.
• They went on to argue that God could never really suffer, and that therefore Jesus never really suffered but went through the whole experience of the Cross without any real pain. That is why the humanity of Christ is just as important a doctrine as His deity.
• When Jesus shared with the 2 men on the road to Emmaus, He spoke of the suffering that He experienced on the cross for our redemption. Lu 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

 

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.

• Here Jesus quotes Psalm 22. Redemption, propitiation, reconciliation is taking place here.
• Hyssop you recall was used in the book of Exodus to apply the blood of the lamb upon the doorposts of the homes. It was the blood of the Passover lamb which saved the people of God; it was the blood of Jesus which was to save the world from sin.

 

30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

• It is now 3PM, Jesus has been on the cross for 6 hours and the land has been in darkness for 3 hours…..Jesus cries out Psalm 22.1 prior to giving up the ghost.

• Finished- The Greek meaning done, paid in full completed. An artist would use this word when he put his last stroke on his painting.
• Every other religion and cult bases their salvation on what you have to do to obtain favor with God. Only the faith once delivered unto the saints; the faith spoken of in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament and fulfilled by The Lord Jesus Christ declares, it is finished.

·      Matthew Henry writes here, “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.”

 

The veil of the temple was torn at this time indicating that fallen man can now come into the presence of the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ (Matt 27.51; Mark 15.38).

• What can I/you do to be saved? In reality, we cannot do anything because Jesus did all that needed to be done. Jesus did all the work. What then must I do to work the works of God? Believe on Him Whom The father sent. Believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.
• Bible salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. There is One God and One Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

 

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.

• It is because of this verse that there are many interesting ideas that suggest that Jesus did not die on a Friday, as is traditionally thought, but either on a Wednesday or Thursday.
• Jewish law forbade that a body should hang over night; for a dead body was accursed, and so the day following might be polluted by the curse which attached to it (De 21:23; Jos 8:29; 10:26; Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, 4.5.2).

 

32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

• The legs were crushed with a hammer like a sledge and the shock would bring speedy death. The one thief went immediately into paradise, the other thief it is assumed went directly to hell. Rejecting Jesus is no joking matter.

 

33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

• Here again is John assaulting head on the Gnostics heresy that Jesus manhood was unreal. . Here was proof that Jesus was bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh.

 

34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

• Some medical doctors tell us that this indicates that Jesus died of a burst or ruptured heart.
• Out of the first Adam’s side a bride was born, called Eve, so too here, out of The Last Adam is a bride to be born, the church. The blood for salvation, the water for sanctification and cleansing.

 

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.

·      Ex 12:46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. Also see Psalm 34.20.

·      The bones of the Passover lambs in the Old Testament were not to be broken because theywere a type of Christ, the Last Passover Lamb

·      It has been suggested with great insight that another reason that the bone of the Passover lambs were not to be broken was because blood is continually produced in the bones. The bones produce blood. Thus, a broken bone would stop the flow of blood.

• 1Jo 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. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

• Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
• If you follow the context of this prophecy in Zech 12, you discover that the Person Who has been speaking is Jehovah; thus, when you get to the passage that points to Jesus being pierced on the cross, it refers to Him.

 

38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight (The spices were wrapped between the folds of the linen in order to partially embalm the body).

• Thus, two members of the Sanhedrin unite to bury Jesus. This raises a few questions about these two men. Did they choose to abstain when the vote was made to crucify Jesus? Did they purposely not attend the meeting to avoid the confrontation about Jesus? Only God knows for sure.
• The sight of Jesus dying on the cross flushes these 2 previously secret disciples of Jesus into the light. If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me. A true glimpse of what Jesus did for us on Calvary will break us out of our closets and cause us to take a stand for Him.

 

40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

• In Lev 16, we read that the High Priest would wear linen on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. He would go through the veil on the Day of Atonement and sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat.
• The mercy seat was between 2 cherubim, between 2 angels, which is exactly what we see next week when the place where Jesus was laid is between the two angels.  

 

41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

• Mt 27:57-66 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.  Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
• Mt 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.