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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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GOSPEL OF JOHN Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert A. The Son of God’s Arrest
and Trials 18:1–19:16 cont. [24 - (Jn 19:1-22)] 1. Jesus’
Final Trial before Pilate (Jn 19:1‑8) a) Earlier,
when Jesus was before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, he was spit upon, slapped,
and beaten for the first time (Mt 26:67‑68; Mk 14:65; Lk 22:63‑65;
second time before Herod Antipas ‑ Lk 23:) b) In chapter 18, Pilate concluded that he
found “no guilt” with Jesus. However, in order to satisfy the chief priests,
Pilate suggested that according their custom, one person was released for the
Passover. The Jews cried out that they wanted Barabbas, the robber, to be
released, not Jesus. c) Pilate complied, but in order to once
again satisfy the Jews Pilate had Jesus scourged. Jesus’ scourging (mastigoō
‑ beating with a lash or whip cp. Mt 20:19; Mk 10:34; Lk 18:33) was
from a Roman “flagrum,” which was a short leather whip that had pieces of
bone or metal attached at the ends to rip and tear skin and muscle (cp. Is
53:5). Jesus was made to wear a crown of thorns on His head along with a purple
robe. After which they mocked Him saying, “Hail, King of the Jews” while they
slapped Him. d) It appears that Pilate had Jesus scourged
so that the Jews might be sympathetic to Jesus, but they had none. The Jews
insisted that Jesus be put to death for claiming to be Messiah and God. This
statement made Pilate “more afraid,” which might have had something to do
with the message he received from his wife (Mt 27:19). 2. Pilate’s
Private Conversation with Jesus (Jn 19:9‑13) a) Pilate was
now perplexed and fearful and therefore asked Jesus, “Where are You from?”
Quite possibly, because of Pilate’s pagan superstitions, he may have wondered
if Jesus was a son of the gods. But Jesus gave him no answer for His teaching
preceded Him and He had already answered that question (Jn 18:36‑37). b) Pilate indignantly reminded Jesus of his
authority to which Jesus replied that all authority comes from above and is
accountable to God. This included Pilate but especially included Caiaphas who
understood all the religious ramifications concerning Jesus and “had the
greater sin.” c) Pilate was obviously convinced that Jesus
was innocent, but though he tried to release Jesus the Jews intimidated
Pilate with loyalty to Caesar. 3. Pilate’s
Decision to Crucify Jesus (Jn 9:14‑16) a) Perhaps
in a last attempt to thwart any personal blame, while sitting on his judgment
seat, Pilate displayed Jesus as the “King of the Jews.” The people cried out
a second time to “crucify” Jesus. b) Matthew records the immediate circumstance
but John does not. Matthew reveals that Pilate was not at all comfortable
with the determined decision of the Jews. When Pilate saw that he was
accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and
washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this
Man's blood; see to that yourselves." And all the people said, "His
blood shall be on us and on our children!" (Mt 27:24). c) Not only did Pilate not want to crucify
Jesus but this was the fifth time that he had acquitted Jesus of all wrong
(Jn 18:38; Lk 23:14; Jn 19:4; Jn 19:6; & Mt 27:24). However, Pilate felt
his hand was forced and handed over Jesus to be crucified (16). B. The Son of God’s
Crucifixion 19:17–42 1. The Cross
of the King of the Jews (Jn 19:17‑22) a) Jesus was
acquitted six times (Jn 18:38; Lk 23:14; Jn 19:4; Jn 19:6; Lk 23:15; & Mt 27:24), mocked and beaten three
times (Mt 26:67‑68; Lk 23:11; Jn 19:2‑3), and scourged twice (Jn
19:1; Mt 27:26). If that wasn’t enough, the Romans made him bear the burden (bastazō)
of His own cross (cross‑member, i.e. horizontal bar) which eventually
too much for Jesus to carry. Simon of Cyrene (Mt 27:32; Mk 15:21; Lk 23:26)
had to carry it for Jesus to the place of crucifixion. b) The place was the “Place of a Skull” (kraníou
tópon), which in Hebrew is “Golgotha.” There is a protrusion of
rock above Jeremiah’s Grotto in the northern part of the city that is a
possible site. The skull-like appearance of the rock in the southern
precipice of the hillock is very remarkable. (Easton’s Bible Dictionary).
This was place where they crucified Jesus with two other men on either side
of Him (18). c) John records that on the cross was a
similar but not exact inscription to that of Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s
account. They are: (1) JESUS THE
NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS (Jn 19:19) (2) THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS (Mt
27:37) (3) THE KING OF THE JEWS (Mk 15:26) (4) THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS (Lk 23:37) d) The
difference is not a contradiction and there are several possibilities: (1) There was
one complete saying (in three languages ‑ “THIS IS JESUS THE NAZARENE,
THE KING OF THE JEWS”) and each author took the part that reflected his
audience. (2) Three languages constituted three different
signs and inscription. Each author took the sign that reflected his audience
(Matthew ‑ Hebrew; Mark ‑ Latin; Luke ‑ Greek; John ‑
a portion or all of one of them. (3) Though #1 is more probable, each account
includes the most important part, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” e) The Jews
complained that the inscription was written incorrectly calling Jesus the
“King of the Jews.” Rather, they argued that it should read that Jesus only
claimed to be the “King of the Jews.” But it appeared that Pilate had his
fill of the Jewish agenda and stated, “What I have written I have written.”
Literally Pilate said, “That which I have written, has been and will remain
written.” Applications f) He was
crucified for being who He was, THE KING OF THE JEWS, which is the Messiah
who was also God. g) Jesus was acquitted six times (Jn 18:38;
Lk 23:14; Jn 19:4; Jn 19:6; Lk 23:15; & Mt 27:24), mocked and beaten
three times (Mt 26:67‑68; Lk 23:11; Jn 19:2‑3), scourged twice
(Jn 19:1; Mt 27:26), and crucified once for all (He 10:10). h) Since Christ’s death on the cross was the
payment for our sin and punishment, why did Christ have to suffer? (1) It was
prophesied. (2) The sinful heart of man made it inevitable. (3) The cross best pictured a sacrifice. (4) He was lifted up for all men to see. (5) It revealed the depth of His love which was
willing to suffer and die for sinful man. (6) Will I bear my cross for Him? Lk 9:23 And
He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he
must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. |
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