Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.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.Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!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.The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
Pilate has Jesus flogged, and the soldiers press a crown of thorns onto his head, dress him in purple and mock him as king. Pilate brings him out to the crowd, saying, "Behold, the man!" The chief priests and officers shout for crucifixion and insist that by their law he must die for claiming to be the Son of God.
What does this mean?
"Scourged" (KJV) or "flogged" (WEB) means whipped. "Platted" (KJV) means woven. "Ecce homo", Latin for "Behold the man", became a common title for paintings of this scene.
Historical context
Roman flogging used whips weighted with bone or metal and could be severe enough to kill. Purple dye was extremely expensive and associated with royalty, so the robe was part of the mockery; a soldier's red cloak may have served. Leviticus 24:16 prescribed death for blasphemy.
Why does it matter?
In John, Pilate repeatedly declares Jesus innocent, here and in 18:38 and 19:6, and the Gospel shows the mockery as unknowingly true, since it presents Jesus as a king. Verse 7 shows that the charge of claiming to be God's Son, which arose in 5:18 and 10:33, lies at the heart of the conflict.
Editorial notes, not scripture.
John 19:8–16
Jesus is sentenced to be crucified
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.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?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.And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cæsar.
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.And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!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 Cæsar.Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
Pilate, now more afraid, asks Jesus where he comes from; Jesus is silent, then says Pilate would have no power over him unless it were given from above. Pilate tries to release him, but the crowd warns that he will be no friend of Caesar. At noon on the Day of Preparation, Pilate sits in judgment; the chief priests declare they have no king but Caesar, and Pilate hands Jesus over.
What does this mean?
"Caesar's friend" may have been an honorary title for loyal officials, or simply mean a loyal subject. "The judgment seat" was the raised platform from which a Roman magistrate gave judgment. "The preparation" means the day before a festival or Sabbath, when preparations were made.
Historical context
The emperor at this time was Tiberius, who was known to deal harshly with suspected disloyalty. The location of Gabbatha, "the Pavement", is uncertain. John places this scene at about the sixth hour, noon, on what he calls the preparation of the Passover, which most scholars take to be the day the Passover lambs were slaughtered; Mark 15:25 says Jesus was crucified at the third hour, about nine in the morning.
Why does it matter?
The chief priests' cry, "We have no king but Caesar," is one of the Gospel's sharpest ironies, given that Israel's worship proclaimed God as king. Many interpreters see significance in Jesus being sentenced as the Passover lambs were being prepared.
Editorial notes, not scripture.
John 19:17–27
The crucifixion
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.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, and Greek, and Latin.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.Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
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.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. These things therefore the soldiers did.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Carrying his own cross, Jesus goes to Golgotha and is crucified between two others, under a sign from Pilate reading "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. The soldiers divide his clothes and cast lots for his seamless tunic. Near the cross, Jesus entrusts his mother to the disciple whom he loved.
Scripture connection · Quotation · presented as fulfilled
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Psalm 22:18 · KJV
Where Mark only echoes Psalm 22, John quotes it explicitly as fulfilled.
What does this mean?
"Golgotha" is Aramaic for "skull"; "Calvary" comes from the Latin equivalent. The letters INRI often seen on crucifixes abbreviate the Latin words of the sign. "Coat" (KJV) or "tunic" (WEB) was the garment worn next to the skin.
Historical context
Crucifixion was a Roman form of execution reserved mainly for slaves, rebels and the lowest classes, carried out in public as a deterrent. A sign often stated the offence. The site of Golgotha is uncertain; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has marked the traditional location since the fourth century. Interpreters differ on whether three or four women are named in verse 25.
Why does it matter?
The sign, in the main languages of the region, proclaims Jesus as king to everyone. The care for his mother has been interpreted both as a son's duty and as a symbol of a new family formed around Jesus.
Editorial notes, not scripture.
Told in all four Gospels
Matthew 27:32–44
The crucifixion
How Matthew tells it
Matthew has gall in sour wine (KJV 'vinegar'; Mark: myrrh), and only he notes the soldiers sitting to keep watch. Only Matthew adds the taunt that Jesus trusted in God and claimed to be the Son of God. As in Mark, both robbers mock him; Luke tells of one who repents, and John of Jesus' mother at the cross.
Only Mark names Simon of Cyrene's sons, Alexander and Rufus. Mark says Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh and refused it (Matthew: mixed with gall, which he tasted), and alone gives the time as the third hour. Mark's inscription is the shortest. Both bandits mock Jesus, unlike Luke's penitent criminal, and Jesus speaks no words in this scene.
Only Luke has the lamenting "daughters of Jerusalem," Jesus' prayer for his executioners' forgiveness, and the exchange with the repentant criminal; in Mark and Matthew both criminals mock him. Luke has no drugged wine before the crucifixion. In John, Jesus carries his own cross and entrusts his mother to the beloved disciple.
In John, Jesus carries his own cross, and Simon of Cyrene does not appear. Only John reports that the chief priests objected to the sign, that the soldiers cast lots for a seamless tunic, and that Jesus entrusted his mother to the beloved disciple. No one mocks Jesus on the cross.
John 19:28–30
The death of Jesus
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.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.When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Knowing that everything is now completed, Jesus says, "I am thirsty." Someone lifts a sponge soaked in sour wine to his mouth on a stalk of hyssop. Jesus says, "It is finished," bows his head and gives up his spirit.
What does this mean?
"Vinegar" was cheap sour wine, a common drink of soldiers and labourers. "It is finished" translates a single Greek word, tetelestai, meaning completed or accomplished. "Gave up the ghost" (KJV) uses "ghost" in its older sense of spirit.
Historical context
Hyssop was a small bushy plant used in Israel's rituals, including smearing the blood of the Passover lamb on doorposts (Exodus 12:22). Its stalk seems a flimsy support for a sponge, and interpreters have offered various explanations.
Why does it matter?
Many readers see the mention of hyssop as another Passover allusion. "It is finished" echoes 17:4, where Jesus says he has completed the work the Father gave him. John's account presents Jesus' death as an accomplishment rather than a defeat.
Editorial notes, not scripture.
Told in all four Gospels
Matthew 27:45–56
The death of Jesus
How Matthew tells it
Only Matthew reports the earthquake, the splitting rocks and the raising of holy people, and has the centurion 'and those with him' speak, moved by the earthquake. In Luke the centurion calls Jesus righteous, and Jesus' last words are a prayer of trust; in John they are 'It is finished'. Matthew names the mother of Zebedee's sons among the women.
Mark gives Jesus' cry in Aramaic ('Eloi'; Matthew has 'Eli') and records no other words from the cross, unlike Luke and John. Mark has no earthquake or opened tombs (Matthew). His centurion responds to the way Jesus died, calling him 'the Son of God' (Luke: 'a righteous man'). Only Mark names Salome among the watching women.
In Luke the temple curtain tears before Jesus dies, not after, and his last words are "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit," not the cry of abandonment (Mark, Matthew) or "It is finished" (John). The centurion calls him "righteous," not "Son of God." Only Luke mentions the crowds beating their breasts.
John's account is brief and calm. There is no darkness over the land, no cry of abandonment as in Matthew and Mark, no torn temple curtain and no centurion's verdict. Only John records "I am thirsty" and "It is finished" and mentions hyssop. Luke gives a different final saying.
John 19:31–37
A soldier pierces Jesus' side
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.Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
Because the next day is a special Sabbath, the authorities ask Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken so the bodies can be taken down. The soldiers break the legs of the other two, but find Jesus already dead, so instead one pierces his side with a spear, and blood and water flow out. The narrator stresses that this is eyewitness testimony.
Scripture connection · Quotation · presented as fulfilled
John 19:36quotes Exodus 12:46 · Numbers 9:12 · Psalm 34:20
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.
Exodus 12:46 · KJV
They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.
Numbers 9:12 · KJV
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Psalm 34:20 · KJV
The wording is closest to Psalm 34:20. The Passover law (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12) forbade breaking the lamb's bones; John may have both in view.
Scripture connection · Quotation · presented as fulfilled
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.
Zechariah 12:10 · KJV
Zechariah pictures Jerusalem mourning for one 'whom they have pierced'.
What does this mean?
"That sabbath day was an high day" (KJV) means it was an especially important Sabbath, here coinciding with Passover. Breaking the legs hastened death, probably because a crucified person could then no longer push up to breathe.
Historical context
The law of Moses required that the body of an executed person not be left hanging overnight (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). The remains of a crucified man found in Jerusalem in 1968, with a nail still in his heel bone, confirm that Jewish victims of crucifixion could receive burial.
Why does it matter?
The blood and water have been read as proof of real death, as a symbol of life flowing from Jesus (compare 7:38), and by many Christians as pointing to baptism and the Lord's Supper. Interpreters differ. Verse 35 is one of the Gospel's direct claims to rest on eyewitness testimony.
Editorial notes, not scripture.
John 19:38–42
The burial of Jesus
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.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.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.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.There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, gets Pilate's permission to take Jesus' body. Nicodemus brings about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes. Together they wrap the body in linen with the spices and lay it in a new tomb in a garden near the place of crucifixion, because the Day of Preparation is ending.
What does this mean?
Myrrh and aloes were fragrant substances used to honour the dead and to mask the smell of decay. A hundred Roman pounds is over 30 kilograms (about 70 pounds).
Historical context
Executed criminals were often denied honourable burial, so Joseph's request was bold. Jews buried their dead quickly, wrapping the body in cloth with spices; they did not embalm in the Egyptian manner. Rock-cut family tombs outside the city walls were typical of wealthier families. Arimathea's location is uncertain.
Why does it matter?
The enormous quantity of spices suggests a burial fit for a king. Nicodemus, who first came to Jesus by night (3:2), now acts publicly. The garden setting returns in the next chapter, where Mary Magdalene mistakes Jesus for the gardener.
Editorial notes, not scripture.
Told in all four Gospels
Matthew 27:57–61
The burial of Jesus
How Matthew tells it
Only Matthew calls Joseph rich and the tomb his own; John also calls him a secret disciple. Mark describes him as a respected council member waiting for the kingdom and notes Pilate's surprise that Jesus was already dead; Luke adds that he had not agreed with the council's decision; John has Nicodemus bring a large quantity of spices.
Only Mark tells of Pilate's surprise that Jesus had died so soon and his checking with the centurion. Mark says Joseph went in 'boldly' and bought the linen. Matthew calls Joseph rich, a disciple and the tomb's owner; John adds Nicodemus and many spices. Mark names the watching women as Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses.
Luke stresses that Joseph was "a good man, and a just" who had not consented to the council's decision; he does not call him rich (Matthew) or a disciple (Matthew, John). Only Luke says the women prepared spices before the Sabbath and rested. Luke has no guard at the tomb (Matthew) and no Nicodemus (John).
Only John has Nicodemus join Joseph of Arimathea, bringing a very large quantity of myrrh and aloes, so the body is wrapped with spices at the burial itself; in Mark and Luke the women plan to bring spices later. John calls Joseph a secret disciple, places the tomb in a garden, and does not mention women watching.
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.And sitting down they watched him there;And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,Save thyself, and come down from the cross.Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathæa, 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.
And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.