So Pilate then took Jesus and flogged him.The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment.They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him.
Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”
Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”
When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against 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 therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid.He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you and have power to crucify you?”
Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”
At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”
When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement”, but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.”Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”
They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”
So then he delivered him to them to be crucified. So 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
He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”,where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle.Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘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 the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout.Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says, “They parted my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.
But standing by Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to 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 divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.
Psalm 22:18 · WEB
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, seeing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty!”Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth.When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
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
Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.Therefore the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with him;but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they didn’t break his legs.However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe.For these things happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.”Again another Scripture says, “They will 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
It must be eaten in one house. You shall not carry any of the meat outside of the house. Do not break any of its bones.
Exodus 12:46 · WEB
They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone of it. According to all the statute of the Passover they shall keep it.
Numbers 9:12 · WEB
He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.
Psalm 34:20 · WEB
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
I will pour on David’s house and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication. They will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for his firstborn.
Zechariah 12:10 · WEB
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
After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body.Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds.So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid.Then, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand), they laid Jesus there.
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.
As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross.When they came to a place called “Golgotha”, that is to say, “The place of a skull,”they gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink.When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,and they sat and watched him there.They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left.
Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their headsand saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
Likewise the chief priests also mocking with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said,“He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”The robbers also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach.
They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them that he might bear his cross.They brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, “The place of a skull.”They offered him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn’t take it.
Crucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take.It was the third hour when they crucified him.The superscription of his accusation was written over him: “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”With him they crucified two robbers, one on his right hand, and one on his left.The Scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with transgressors.”
Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying, “Ha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,save yourself, and come down from the cross!”
Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, “He saved others. He can’t save himself.Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him.” Those who were crucified with him also insulted him.
When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it after Jesus.A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him.But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”
There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death.When they came to the place that is called “The Skull”, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.
The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”
The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!”
But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him a drink.The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.”
Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit.
Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.
Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were done, were terrified, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
When the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”
One ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down.”
Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.When the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he breathed his last.
When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous man.”All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their chests.All his acquaintances and the women who followed with him from Galilee stood at a distance, watching these things.
When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple, came.This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen clothand laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
When evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long.When he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.
Behold, there was a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom.This man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.He took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid.It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near.The women who had come with him out of Galilee followed after, and saw the tomb and how his body was laid.They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.