John 19: Crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Pilate took Jesus and made Him to be punished and the soldiers took him and put a crown of thorns on His head and put on Him a purple robe. The soldiers, while hitting Jesus said; “…Hail, King of the Jews!” (John 19:3) After this was done, Pilate took Jesus out before the people and said; “…I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in this man… Behold the man!” (John 19:4-5) But it wasn’t enough to convince the Jews of their wrongs and they immediately cried out; “…crucify him, crucify him…” (John 19:6), Pilate responded to their pleas and said; “…Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.” (John 19:6) The Jews screamed back; “…We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” (John 19:7)

Upon hearing this Pilate was afraid (perhaps because he knew that Jesus was the Son of God?) and he immediately went back into the Judgment Hall and asked Jesus; “…Whence art thou?” (John 19:9), but Jesus gave no answer. So Pilate screamed; “…Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” (John 19:10) Jesus answers; “…Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto you hath the greater sin.” (John 19:11) It is unclear who that other person was, if Jesus was speaking of Judas, or perhaps all of the people involved in the plot to kill Jesus. Either way, Jesus was telling Pilate that he had a choice, but if he chose to have the people decide and He was crucified as a result, Pilate would not share much if any of the sin associated with it. Nevertheless, Pilate desired to release Jesus, but the people began to threaten him, and say that he was betraying Caesar. For they claimed; “…If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend; whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.” (John 19:12) At this point Pilate had his hands tied, but still could have made a decision to let Jesus go. Whether or not Pilate shares a sin in the crucifixion of Jesus, we know not. What we do know, is that Pilate did not agree and tried to convince the people otherwise.

Jesus was sent off to Golgotha, which is the place of the skull, there Jesus would be crucified with two thieves, one on both sides. Now, Pilate most likely feeling remorseful of what had happened, made a sign to go above the cross of Jesus that read: “…JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (John 19:19) This sign was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, for the whole world to see and read. The soldiers there cast lots for the raiment of Jesus. In other words, think of straws, they literally fought over the few belongings that Jesus had. Many loved ones of Jesus came to see the crucifixion, and in time, Jesus gave up the ghost and died on the cross.

The Sabbath day was approaching and Pilate, as it was custom to break the legs of those who had not yet died, so they did not leave them on the cross during the Sabbath. But when they came to Jesus they saw that He had already died and did not break His legs, instead they took a spear and stabbed His side. This fulfilled two scriptures that they should not break His bones, but shall stab Him in the side (see: Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12 and Psalms 34:20)

Joseph of Arimathaea sought for the body of Jesus and went to Pilate for fear that his request would be denied by the Jews. Pilate agrees for Him to dress the body, so they bring the body of Jesus to a new sepulcher and they prepare His body for rest.