1Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, mocked, and buffeted by the soldiers. 4Pilate declareth his innocence: the Jews charge him with assuming the title of the Son of God. 8Pilate upon further examination is more desirous to release him, but overcome with the clamours of the Jews delivereth him to be crucified. 17He is led to Golgotha, and crucified between two malefactors. 19Pilate's inscription on his cross. 23The soldiers part his garments. 25He commendeth his mother to John; 28receiveth vinegar to drink, and dieth. 31The legs of the others are broken, and the side of Jesus pierced. 38Joseph of Arimathaea beggeth his body, and assisted by Nicodemus burieth it.
1THEN1 Pilate therefore tooka Jesus, and 2scourged him.
1 Namely, when he saw that by the previous means used by him, he could not preserve Jesus’ life.
a Mat. 27:26; Mark 15:15.
2 That is, caused Him to be scourged. See the annotation at Mat. 27 on verse 26.
2And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple 3robe,
3 Or, cloak, to scoff at His Kingly office. See Mat. 27:28.
3And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him 4with their hands.
4 Or, blows with sticks, or rods, as Matthew expresses that it was also done, Mat. 27:30.
4Pilate therefore went forth 5again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him 6forth to you, that ye may know that I find no 7fault in him.
5 Gr. forth without, as also in the sequel.
6 Namely, out of the judgment house.
7 Or, cause, namely, of death.
5Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and 8the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, 9Behold the man!
8 See hereof the annotation at Mat. 27 on verse 28.
9 Namely, how miserably He is mistreated; and be ye satisfied therewith, without desiring further punishment upon Him.
6When 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.
7The Jews answered him, Web have 10a law, and by our law he ought to die, becausec11he made himself the Son of God.
b Lev. 24:16.
10 They have respect to the law, Lev. 24:16, which they ill applied to Christ.
c John 5:18; 10:33.
11 That is, He has said, that He is the Messiah and God’s own Son, Mat. 26:63, 64; Mark 14:61, 62; John 5:18.
8¶When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he 12was the more afraid;
12 Namely, because He had to do, not only with an innocent Man, but also with One Whom he heard was of Divine descent.
9And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, 13Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him 14no answer.
13 Namely, descended, because Thou makest Thyself the Son of God.
14 Of this and similar holding His peace, Christ gives a reason, Luke 22:67, 68.
10Then 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?
11Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all 15against me, except it were given thee from 16above: therefore he 17that delivered me unto thee hath the 18greater sin.
15 Namely, to crucify Me, Who am the Son of God.
16 That is, were ordained by God, and permitted unto you, Acts 2:23, 4:27, 28.
17 Namely, the Jewish people, or the rulers of the Jews.
18 Forasmuch as they, having more knowledge of God’s Word and of My miracles, press out of you a malicious hatred, contrary to your office and mind to consent unto My death.
12And from thenceforth Pilate 19sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou 20art not Caesar's friend: whosoeverd maketh himself a king 21speaketh against Caesar.
19 Namely, more and more.
20 That is, you will show thereby that you are not Cæsar’s friend, or, you shall not remain Cæsar’s friend, whose governor, notwithstanding, you are.
d Acts 17:7.
21 That is, rises up against the highness and majesty of Cæsar.
13¶When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus 22forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the 23Pavement, but in the 24Hebrew, 25Gabbatha.
22 Gr. without.
23 Gr. lithostrotos, that is, a place paved with stones.
24 That is, Syriac, which language the Hebrews used most at that time.
25 That is, an high and eminent place in which the Roman governors did justice, and from where they spoke to the people.
14And it was the 26preparation of the passover, and about 27the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
26 Namely, according to the custom of the Jews; for, otherwise it was, according to God’s institution, the same day on which the paschal lamb was to be killed and eaten, as Christ and his apostles also did. See the annotation on Mat. 26:20.
27 Mark says in Mark 15:25 that it was the third hour when Christ was crucified, and John says here that it was about the sixth hour, when He was brought forth before the Jews, before He was condemned to death by Pilate. To accord this seeming difference, some are of the opinion that the Jews did not only divide the day into twelve hours from sunrise to sunset, John 11:9, but also as they divided the night into four watches, so also they made four parts in the day, Mat. 20:1, 3, 5; Mark 15:1, 25, 33, 34, naming each part from the hour wherewith it began, the first part - the first hour, the second - the third hour, the third - the sixth hour, and the fourth part - the ninth hour, and consequently John does not contradict that which Mark says that Christ was crucified in the second part of the day, which was called the third hour, but that he further explains the same, namely, that it went toward the third part of the day called the sixth hour, and that therefore he adds the word about. Others think that Mark reckons the hours after the manner of the Jews, but that John reckons them after the manner of the Romans, as we also do, beginning from midnight. So that, which John relates here, would have come to pass between six and seven o’clock in the morning, not very long after the rising of the sun. For, Christ was brought to Pilate very early in the morning, Mat. 27:1, 2; Mark 15:1; John 18:28; afterwards he, seeking yet to deliver Him, brought Him again into the judgment house; there He was again mistreated reproachfully by the soldiers, Mat. 27:27; Mark 15:16, and after that led out of the city and brought to the place of execution. So that herewith two hours more might easily pass away. For, although John, when he relates the words of Christ or of other Jews, follows the Jews’ account in the hours, yet notwithstanding, when he speaks himself, he seems, also elsewhere, to follow the account of the Romans, as may be seen in John 20:19, forasmuch as then, when he wrote his Gospel, the city of Jerusalem was laid waste, and the Jews were no more a nation.
15But they cried out, Awaye with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, Wef have no king but Caesar.
e Take away
f Gen. 49:10.
16Theng delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And 28they took Jesus, and led him away.
g Mat. 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:24, 25.
28 Namely the Jews by the Roman soldiers, after that the same had mocked Him the second time.
17Andh he 29bearing his cross went 30forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the 31Hebrew Golgotha:
h Mat. 27:31, 33; Mark 15:22; Luke 23:26, 33.
29 See hereof the reason the annotation at Mat. 27 on verse 32.
30 Namely, outside the city.
31 That is, in the Syriac, which tongue the Jews then used, being indeed somewhat altered from the Hebrew tongue, but notwithstanding in the ground of it reckoned for one tongue with the same.
18Where they crucified him, and 32two other with him, 33on either side one, and Jesus 34in the midst.
32 Namely, murderers and malefactors, Mat. 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:33.
33 Gr. hence and hence, that is, from the one and other side.
34 Gr. the middlemost, namely, as if He had been the greatest malefactor.
19¶Andi Pilate wrote a 35title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
i Mat. 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38.
35 The Greek word titlos signifies also a little table or board on which one writes, but here it is taken for that which was written thereon, as the word wrote entails, and appears from the other evangelists, Mat. 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38.
20This 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 36Latin.
36 Gr. in Roman. The superscription was put in these three languages, because they were the most known and common in the Roman Empire, so that there was at that time no man at Jerusalem but he understood one of them.
21Then 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.
22Pilate answered, What I have written 37I have written.
37 That is, it remains written; I will not alter it.
23¶Thenj 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 38without seam, woven from the top 39throughout.
j Mat. 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34.
38 Namely, woven or knit.
39 Gr. through the whole, that is, all through.
24They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: 40that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, Theyk parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
40 That is, in order that therefore the Scripture was fulfilled.
k Psalm 22:18.
25¶Nowl there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the 41wife of 42Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
l Mat. 27:55; Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49.
41 Or, daughter, for, that Alphæus was her husband, appears in Mat. 10:3, compared with Mat. 27:56; except that Cleophas or Cleopas was her second husband, as some think.
42 Who was otherwise also called Cleopas, Luke 24:18.
26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, 43whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold 44thy son!
43 That is, John, who is used to describe himself, as appears in John 13:23, compared with John 21:20, 24.
44 That is, this man shall be as thy son, to take care for thee and to assist thee.
27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy 45mother! And from that hour that disciple took her 46unto his own home.
45 That is, take care for her as for thy mother.
46 Gr. into his own, or unto his.
28¶After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now 47accomplished, thatm the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
47 Namely, thus far and hitherto, what was foretold of Me.
m Psalm 69:21.
29Nown there 48was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and 49put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
n Mat. 27:48.
48 Gr. was laid.
49 Or, laid it, namely, the sponge, about an hyssopstalk, which some think was a rosemary stalk, and also called in Hebrew, ezob, 1 Kings 4:33, and grew up high in those countries, so that this stalk would be the same which Matthew calls a reed, Mat. 27:48. Others take it for right hyssop, which grew there wild, whereof they bound with the branches the sponge to the stalk.
30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, Ito is 50finished: and he bowed his head, and 51gave up the ghost.
o John 17:4.
50 Namely, all that I was to suffer to reconcile men unto God, and that was foretold thereof by the prophets.
51 Gr. gave over the ghost, namely, into the hands of His Father, Luke 23:46; John 10:18.
31The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (52for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that 53their legs might be broken, and that they might 54be taken away.
52 Others read: for the day of that sabbath was a great day, namely, forasmuch as it was sabbath and the first day of the passover together, according to the custom of the Jews, the reason whereof see in the annotation at Mat. 26 on verse 20.
53 Namely, of the three who were crucified, which seems to have been a use to hasten the death of evil doers.
54 Namely, before the evening, according to the law, Deut. 21:22.
32Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34But one of the soldiers with a spear 55pierced his side, and forthwith camep there out blood and 56water.
55 Namely, either ill-disposed, or to see whether He was truly dead.
p 1 John 5:6.
56 This is a sign that he pierced the heart, which lies in a skin wherein waterish moisture is included for cooling the heart.
35And he 57that saw it 58bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth 59that he saith true, that ye might 60believe.
57 Namely, John himself, see verse 27.
58 Namely, that blood and water flowed out of His side.
59 Or, that which is true, namely, matters.
60 Namely, that in Christ is fulfilled that which was typified in the Old Testament by cleansing with water, and by the shedding of the blood of the sacrifices; to wit, that He has obtained for us by His death not only remission of sins, but also cleansing from sin by His Holy Spirit. See further the annotations at 1 John 5 on verse 6.
36For these things were done, thatq the scripture should be fulfilled, 61A bone of him shall not be broken.
q Exod. 12:46; Num. 9:12.
61 This is spoken indeed of the paschal lamb, Exod. 12:46, but here fulfilled in Christ, because the paschal lamb was a type of Christ, 1 Cor. 5:7.
37And again 62another scripture saith, Theyr shall look on him 63whom they pierced.
62 That is, another place of the Holy Scripture, namely, Zech. 12:10.
r Zech. 12:10.
63 Or, into Whom they have thrust through, which was fulfilled in part in some of the Jews who put Christ to death and afterward were converted unto Him, Acts 2:37, and partly shall be fulfilled at the last day, when all impenitent persons shall also see Him as their Judge, Rev. 1:7.
38¶Ands after this 64Joseph of 65Arimathæa, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly fort66fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him 67leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
s Mat. 27:57; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:50.
64 See concerning him, Mat. 27:57; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50, 51.
65 This city seems to be otherwise called Ramath, the prophet Samuel’s country, 1 Sam. 1:1.
t John 12:42.
66 Namely, lest they would cast him out of their synagogue, according to their decree, John 9:22.
67 Namely, after that he had understood from the captain that Christ was already dead, Mark 15:44.
39And there came also Nicodemus,u which at the 68first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred poundvweight.
u John 3:1; 7:50.
68 That is, the first time or before, John 3:1.
v NT weight (Gr. litra): 12 ounces or 340 grams*
40Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes 69with the spices, as the mannerw of the Jews is 70to bury.
69 Namely, thus bound together, seeing they had not the time to anoint the same therewith, because the sabbath was immediately to begin.
w custom, habit*
70 Namely, excellent and respectable persons. See Gen. 50:2.
41Now 71in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
71 That is, about that place.
42There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.