17 They took Jesus , therefore , and He went out, bearing His own cross , to the place called the Place of a Skull , which is called in Hebrew , Golgotha . 18 There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men , one on either side , and Jesus in between .
19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross . It was written , " JESUS THE NAZARENE , THE KING OF THE JEWS ." 20 Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription , for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city ; and it was written in Hebrew , Latin and in Greek . 21 So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate , "Do not write , ' 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 outer garments and made four parts , a part to every soldier and also the tunic ; now the tunic was seamless , woven in one piece . 24 So they said to one another , " Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be"; this was to fulfill the Scripture : "THEY DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS ." 25 Therefore the soldiers did these things . But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother , and His mother's sister , Mary the wife of Clopas , and Mary Magdalene . 26 When Jesus then saw His mother , and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby , He said to His mother , " Woman , behold , your son !" 27 Then He said to the disciple , "Behold , your mother !" From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. 28 After this , Jesus , knowing that all things had already been accomplished , to fulfill the Scripture , said , " I am thirsty ." 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth . 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine , He said , " It is finished !" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 19:17-30
Commentary on John 19:1-18
(Read John 19:1-18)
Little did Pilate think with what holy regard these sufferings of Christ would, in after-ages, be thought upon and spoken of by the best and greatest of men. Our Lord Jesus came forth, willing to be exposed to their scorn. It is good for every one with faith, to behold Christ Jesus in his sufferings. Behold him, and love him; be still looking unto Jesus. Did their hatred sharpen their endeavours against him? and shall not our love for him quicken our endeavours for him and his kingdom? Pilate seems to have thought that Jesus might be some person above the common order. Even natural conscience makes men afraid of being found fighting against God. As our Lord suffered for the sins both of Jews and Gentiles, it was a special part of the counsel of Divine Wisdom, that the Jews should first purpose his death, and the Gentiles carry that purpose into effect. Had not Christ been thus rejected of men, we had been for ever rejected of God. Now was the Son of man delivered into the hands of wicked and unreasonable men. He was led forth for us, that we might escape. He was nailed to the cross, as a Sacrifice bound to the altar. The Scripture was fulfilled; he did not die at the altar among the sacrifices, but among criminals sacrificed to public justice. And now let us pause, and with faith look upon Jesus. Was ever sorrow like unto his sorrow? See him bleeding, see him dying, see him and love him! love him, and live to him!
Commentary on John 19:19-30
(Read John 19:19-30)
Here are some remarkable circumstances of Jesus' death, more fully related than before. Pilate would not gratify the chief priests by allowing the writing to be altered; which was doubtless owing to a secret power of God upon his heart, that this statement of our Lord's character and authority might continue. Many things done by the Roman soldiers were fulfilments of the prophecies of the Old Testament. All things therein written shall be fulfilled. Christ tenderly provided for his mother at his death. Sometimes, when God removes one comfort from us, he raises up another for us, where we looked not for it. Christ's example teaches all men to honour their parents in life and death; to provide for their wants, and to promote their comfort by every means in their power. Especially observe the dying word wherewith Jesus breathed out his soul. It is finished; that is, the counsels of the Father concerning his sufferings were now fulfilled. 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. His life was not taken from him by force, but freely given up.