John 19:17-27 “The Crucifixion of Jesus”

The Crucifixion of Jesus and the Answers to Its Mysteries

Bible Study Guide

(Verses 17-18) In this passage, we’ll unravel the mysteries behind the events which led to the crucifixion of Jesus.

After sentencing, Jesus is led carrying His own cross to the place where He will be crucified. John records that two other criminals were crucified next to Jesus. One on each side of Him.

Luke being a man of details, describes in his gospel a conversation that took place between the two criminals and Jesus.

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Three men nailed to a tree. They all shared one common thing. They were all there because of sin.

One was crucified for his sins. The other was crucified and his sins had been forgiven. Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world.

This is a powerful lesson. Sin matters! It matters to us and most importantly, it matters to God. God went to unfathomable lengths to wash us from our sins so that we could be reunited with Him through the One who bore our sins on the cross.

Every sin must be atoned for. It’s God’s purpose. Either Jesus died and rose in forgiveness of your sins or you’ll perish in the second death for your own sins.

The Crucifixion of Jesus is a Bookend to His Life

(Verses 19-20) It was a Roman practice to publicly display criminals that were being crucified. It served as a reminder of the authority and governing power that the Romans held over their people.

Being a witness to these horrific events would certainly put the fear in anyone.

It’s not clear why Pilate placed a marker on the cross above Jesus’ head that read, “King of the Jews.” We can make some reasonable assumptions, but scripture doesn’t make it clear.

Pilate could’ve used it to spite the Jews. It’s unlikely that Pilate believed that Jesus was a King of anything. Christ certainly didn’t portray the characteristics of a king. And He was not sent to be a king. Instead, He was sent by God to be a Savior.

There is one thing that scripture does reveal to us about this sign above Jesus’ head that reads, “King of the Jews.” It places a rightful bookmark at the end of His short life that foretells of His kingship when He returns for His Second Coming.

What Do I mean by that? If we go back roughly 30 years, we hear a similar declaration of our Lord and Savior when He was only an infant. The scene ass Jerusalem, Magi from the east came in search of this new born child. They asked people, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews?”

Just as God had placed in the heart of this Magi from the east the wisdom and knowledge that this child was born the King of the Jews. So also, at the end of Jesus’ human existence, God uses a Roman Governor to make a similar declaration on the tree holding His body.

Jesus Is the King of the Jews

As it was in beginning, so shall it be at the end of His life, the proclamation will be made that Jesus Christ is in fact “King of the Jews.” But He was much more!

Who Was Jesus, Really?

(Verses 21-22) Pilate, the chief priests and the Jews had no idea who they just crucified. Just imagine how they would’ve felt if they had been able to grasp the gravity of their actions. Think of their experience had they known that they just nailed God to a cross.

The sign Pilate placed above Jesus’ head was barely the tip of the iceberg as it related to who Christ really was.

The Second Coming of Jesus will be much different. All of heaven will open. He will return and will be called Faithful and True. Christ will judge and rule all the nations. He will have another name written on Him that no one will know. And He will even have another name that will read, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Creation will be rightfully His and He will reign over it all (Revelation 19:11-16).

The Jews were not appreciative of the sign that Pilate placed over Jesus’ head. They didn’t want anyone thinking that this man associated with the Jews was the King of the Jews.

In an attempt by the Jews to have the sign changed, Pilate absolutely refused. Pilate’s heart was firm in its decision of how the sign read. After all, it would not have bookmarked Jesus life well, unless the Magi’s, at Jesus’ birth were looking for the one “who claimed” to be the “King of the Jews.” But that was not the case.

What Prophecies Were Fulfilled in the Crucifixion of Jesus?

(Verses 23-24) The guards begin to divide up Jesus’ possessions among themselves, except the special seamless garment. They decide not to tear it but to draw lots so that one of them can have it.

These actions had to take place so that what was foretold of Christ would happen. This prophecy of Jesus’ garments are mentioned in the Psalm known as the Crucifixion Psalm.

“They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.” (Psalm 22:18)

It’s in this Psalm that King David is speaking about his own dire situation of his enemies closing in on him. If you read the Psalm in it’s entirety, you’ll notice many things that King David spoke of foretold of the same things that would occur on the day Jesus would be crucified.

In a moment, we’ll examine several other prophecies that were fulfilled by the crucifixion of Jesus.

(Verses 25-27) At the foot of the cross, before Jesus’ last breath we see a display of love that Jesus has for His spiritual brothers and sisters. Jesus loved His mother dearly. He also loved His disciple John very much.

Rather than assign responsibility for His mother to His biological brothers, He places that responsibility of care for Mary upon John, His disciple. Scripture reveals that John is the only disciple at the foot of the cross. John was faithful and loving to the end of Jesus’ human life. He would continue that same faithfulness to his own death.

It’s possible, this is the very same reason that Christ appears to John on the Island of Patmos sixty years later. He entrusts John to write the visions he’s going to be given on the events of the last seven years of this age. These are the events we read about in the book of Revelation.

What Other Prophesies Were Fulfilled by the Crucifixion of Jesus?

In the next study guide, let’s take a look at the other prophecies that were fulfilled by the crucifixion of Jesus. We’ll also take a close look as to why they were all perfectly fulfilled as the were foretold by the Old Testament prophets.

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