John 20:30–31

 ³⁰ And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. 

Commentary 

Here we learn that there were many other signs which Jesus did in the presence of His disciples but are not recorded here in John’s Gospel. Rather those signs that were recorded have been written so that we may all believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you may have life (i.e. new and everlasting life) in His Name.  

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 20:19-29

¹⁹ Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” ²² And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” ²⁴ Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” ²⁶ And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” ²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” ²⁸ And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

Commentary 

Vs. 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 

 Now it was Sunday evening, which according to Jews calendar is the first day of the week, and the disciples being gathered together in one place with the doors shut for fear of the Jews, that Jesus came and stood in the midst of them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Thus, in midst of their fears Jesus comes to them and brings peace to them. Something which He not only bestows upon them but us all who believe in Him, having made peace with God for us all through the blood of His Cross, that is through His suffering Crucifixion death for all our sins and transgressions (Col. 1:20). The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the Author and Finisher of our salvation (Heb. 11:2), but He is also the Prince of Peace in our persons and lives. This then is Jesus’ first appearance to all the disciples after His Resurrection. 

Vs. 20 “When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” 

 To prove to the disciples that it is He, Jesus now shows them His hands and His side. And so, when the disciples saw this, they were glad, that is by His Presence there with them they were transferred from a state of fear to now a state of peaceful joy! This state of peaceful joy then is not for them only in that instance, but is for us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ because we also always have Him with us (John 14:27; Heb 13:5). 

Vs. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 

 Having visited the disciples, and having secured peace for them, Jesus once again now pronounces peace upon them, saying to them, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” In doing so, in both securing their peace and then granting them His peace Jesus now sends them out into the hostile world that they feared, just as He also sends us out into the hostile world that we also fear. For discipleship always means facing our own fears, so that we might do the Will of God which He has ordained and prepared for us to do. Of course, the disciples could not even begin to imagine what this would entail, and all that He would and achieve through them as they followed Him. But that is not for them or for us to know anyway, to know how the whole thing is going to unfold or work out, ours is simply to start the journey in faith and continue on it in faith, letting the Lord then worry about those things that He has Promised to take care of while we follow Him. 

Vs. 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” 

 In the this most beautiful of passages Jesus now breathes on them and says to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Thus, Jesus in doing so harkens back to when God created Adam and breathed into him the breath of life, and so here Jesus now breathes on the disciples the breath of new and everlasting life which would be given each one of them at the Holy Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost. And thus, is now given each one of us the moment we believe in Him (Eph. 1:13-14). 

Vs. 23 “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 

 Having done so Jesus now says to them, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 

 Now it must be stated here that Jesus was granting the disciples the authority to declare ones sins either forgiven by their belief in and reception of the Gospel, that is the Persson of the Lord Jesus Christ Crucified and Risen from the dead, or to declare ones sins retained because they did not and repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ at their preaching! Again, Jesus saying this to them is directly linked with His sending them out to preach the Gospel. Any power or authority then to remit or retain sins would’ve then been done by them alone solely in accord with one’s reception of or rejection of the Gospel. Now later this Apostolic authority given them by the Lord Jesus Christ was employed by them in their administering the churches affairs, which continues on down to us through their written Word in the New Testament. Thus, their judgments there, and either one’s acceptance of them, or rejecting of them can also entail either the remitting or retaining of sins. That said this is not one’s eternal judgment, for that Judgment alone belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, rather those judgments there are the judgments that they render in this life. 

Vs. 24-25 ²⁴ Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 

 Now Thomas who is one of the twelve but he was not there at Jesus’ first Resurrection Appearance to them all, and so when he was told these things by them he likely still hurting from the sting of Christ’s death, said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 

Vs. 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 

 It is now eight days since Jesus first Appeared to the assembled disciples Raised from the dead, and so once again the disciples being assembled inside with the doors shut, and this time Thomas also being with them, Jesus once again stands in the midst of them all and says, “Peace to you!” 

Vs. 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 

 Now as Jesus stood in the midst of them, He tells Thomas to put his finger in where the pierce holes are in His hands, as well to put His hand where He was thrust with the spear in His side, having done so He then boldly tells Thomas, (and anyone else who has their doubts), “Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 

Vs. 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 

 And so, Thomas seeing Jesus raised from the dead and seeing the unmistakable wounds in His flesh, now cries out, “My Lord and my God!” 

Vs. 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

 Though Thomas’ exuberant declaration of faith was most sincere, Jesus now lays the ground work for all future saving faith, and that is believing in Him though not seeing Him (consider Gen. 15:6; Heb. 11:1). For that is what Jesus means when He says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 20:11-18

¹¹ But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. ¹² And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. ¹³ Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” ¹⁴ Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. ¹⁵ Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” ¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). ¹⁷ Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. 

Commentary 

Vs. 11 “But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.” 

 Even though John and Peter had departed Mary remined at the Tomb weeping for her Lord and Savior, for to her mind then He had been stolen away. Now as she remained there weeping Mary stooped down and looked into the Tomb, maybe thinking that she would see Him? 

Vs. 12 “And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.” 

 Now when Mary did, she saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at thee feet where the body of Jesus had lain. 

Vs. 13 ¹³ Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 

 When Marry did this the angels then asked her why she was weeping, and Mary still caught up her grief said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 

Vs. 14 “Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.” 

 Now when Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she still in her grief did not realize that it was Jesus. 

Vs.15 ¹⁵ Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 

 Now when Mary saw Jesus, He asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” But Mary supposing Jesus to be the gardener and not yet recognizing Him (for she had not turned to look at Him yet) only wanted to know if he had removed Jesus’ body and if  so where he had lain Him, so that she might take Him away. Mary’s devotion to Jesus and desire to see Him only treated with dignity is incredibly moving and compelling. 

Vs. 16 “Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).” 

 It is then at that moment that Jesus reveals Himself to her by saying to her “Mary”. Now when Jesus addressed her by her name, she turned to Him and immediately she recognized Him, and when she did Mary cried out Rabboni! (which is to say, Teacher). 

Vs. 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” 

 Now when Mary turned to Jesus and recognized Him, He said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” Jesus then anticipating that Mary may try to take hold of Him as a mother would her son, now tells her not to do so, because though Risen from the dead He has not yet Ascended back to God His Father in heaven. Therefore, Jesus having appeared to Mary now tells her to go to My brethren and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ Jesus then wants us all who believe in Him, and thus are His brethren, to know and believe that not only has He Risen from the dead, but that His Father is our Father and His God ours! 

Vs. 18 “Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.”  

 Mary Magdalene is now fully named so as not to confuse anyone as to which Mary Jesus had just appeared too. And so, having seen and spoken with the Risen Lord Jesus Christ she now comes with undoubtably great excitement and joy with the news to the other disciples that Jesus is Risen from the dead! Speaking all the things He told her to speak to them.

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 20:1–10

¹ Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. ² Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” ³ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. ⁴ So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. ⁵ And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, ⁷ and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. ⁸ Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. ⁹ For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. 

Commentary 

Vs. 1 “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” 

 The first day of the week according to Jewish calendar would be Sunday. And so, it was on this day after the commanded Sabbath rest, that Mary went to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark. (we need in Matthews Gospel that both Marys’ observed where they laid Jesus body, Matt 27:51) And having arrived at the tomb Mary now to her surprise finds that the stone which covered the entrance of the tomb had been taken away! 

Vs. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 

 Having discovered the empty tomb Mary now runs to tell Simon Peter and John (i.e. the disciple whom Jesus’ loved), that she just came from Jesus’ tomb and found it empty, saying: “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 

Vs. 3-4 ³ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. ⁴ So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 

 Therefore, upon hearing the Good News from Mary that Jesus’ tomb is empty, both Peter and John now go out to see the tomb, however their excitement at this news will not allow them to walk, and so they both race to see it, now John outran Peter to the tomb, and thus arrived there first. 

Vs. 5 “And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.” 

 When John arrived at the tomb he had to stoop down to look inside, now when he did he saw the linen graves clothes lying there, yet for whatever reason John (likely stunned by the sight) hesitated to go in. 

Vs. 6-7 ⁶ Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, ⁷ and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 

 Now Peter following John, when he arrived at the tomb, he went into it and there he saw the linen cloths lying there by themselves, as well there was the handkerchief that was around Jesus’ head neatly folded up and placed by themselves. This then was not something someone would have done if they had taken the body of Jesus, that is first remove the graves clothes from Him and then carefully fold up His linen handkerchief! 

Vs. 8 “Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.” 

 When John saw that Peter had gone into the tomb, he also entered it, and when he saw that Jesus was not there and how everything was he also believed! That is both he and Peter believed that Jesus has Risen from the dead! 

Vs. 9 “For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” 

  Up until that moment the disciples though Jesus had told them that He was going to rise again, (Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22; 24:7 etc.) but they had not been able to understand what all this entailed, or even how this would or could take place. And so not until they saw Jesus Christ’s empty Tomb did the pieces of their understanding start to fall into place, for in the Scripture this was even foretold them (consider Luke 24:44; Psalm 16:10). 

Vs. 10 “Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.” 

 Having seen Christ’s empty Tomb both John and Peter now depart each to their own homes, for as yet they did not know what was still to come! 

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 19:38–42

³⁸ After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. ³⁹ And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. ⁴⁰ Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. ⁴¹ Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. ⁴² So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby. 

Commentary

Vs. 38-39 ³⁸ After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. ³⁹ And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 

 After Jesus’ Crucifixion death there was a man named Joseph of Arimathea who being a disciple of Jesus but secretly, for fear of the Jews, that is what they would do to him if he openly confessed Jesus Christ, now taking courage comes to Pilate to ask Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus and give Him a proper burial. Now that Joseph was able to come to Pilate the Roman governor and ask him directly for the body of Jesus, and that Pilate readily granted Joseph his request indicates that Joseph was an influential man of no small means. Now when Joseph came to take Jesus’ body, Nicodemus who first came secretly to Jesus at night to ask questions of Him (see John 3) and who later subtly defended Him before his Jewish counterparts (John 7:50-51), now likewise openly comes bringing about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes so as to prepare the body of Jesus for a dignified burial. Both of these men then by doing so were not only casting aside their fears and concerns for their own reputations and standing in the Jewish community, but they were now taking their stand with the Lord Jesus Christ! A move that everyone of us will at some point also have to make. For to be ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ, as a believer, or disciple, or follower, or however you want to word it, is ultimately to have none of Him (Mark 8:38)! 

Vs. 40 “Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.” 

 Having then received permission to take down the body of Jesus Christ from Pilate, Joseph having taken down the body, they then take it away and prepare it for burial, by bounding it in strips of linen with the spices they brought as was the custom of the Jews to bury. 

Vs. 41 “Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.” 

 The garden mentioned here is not Gethsemane, but was a garden which was near the Crucifixion sight. Now in that garden was a new tomb in which no one had been laid, a tomb which Joseph who was a wealthy man had hewn out of the rock (Matt. 27:60), thus fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah (Isiah 53:9). 

Vs. 42 “So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.” 

Now Jews Preparation day (i.e. Friday) was when they laid Jesus’ body in the tomb. Now their urgency in doing so before the Sabbath was in itself their unknowingly partaking in fulfilling the Word of the Lord that He would be three days and nights in the heart of the earth (Matt. 12:40 gleaned from Believers Bible Commentary). 

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

 

John 19:17–37

 ¹⁷ And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, ¹⁸ where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. ¹⁹ Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS ²⁰ Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. ²¹ Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the 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 garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. ²⁴ They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. ²⁵ Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. ²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” ²⁹ Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. ³⁰ So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. ³¹ Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. ³² Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ³⁴ But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. ³⁵ And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. ³⁶ For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” ³⁷ And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

Commentary 

Vs. 17-18 ¹⁷ And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, ¹⁸ where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. 

 Jesus now bears His cross where He is taken to a place outside the walls of Jerusalem (Heb. 13:12) called: “The Place of a Skull,” which is also called in Hebrew, Golgotha (i.e. Calvary, Luke 23:33, from the Latin Calvaria, Eerdmans Bible Dictionary). This site then was the execution site which itself not only had the look of death, i.e. “place of the skull” but very likely it would’ve born the smell of death. And so, it is here that they Crucify the Lord of Glory, and along with Jesus Christ they also crucified two others with Him, one on either side of Him, with Jesus in the center, and thus they fulfilled the Word of God which states that Jesus would not only die for sinners, but would be die with them, i.e. the Lord Jesus Christ was numbered with transgressors (Isaiah 53). 

Vs. 19-20 ¹⁹ Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS ²⁰ Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. 

Pilate then before Jesus’ is Raised up on the Cross now writes a title and puts it in the Cross, which read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Now this title was written in three different languages, the first was Hebrew which was Jesus’ and the Jews native tongue. The next was Greek which was then the universal language of the known world, kind of like English is today. The third was Latin which was the official language of the Roman Empire. By doing so Pilate made it possible for anyone who could read to be able to read the Lord Jesus Christ’s designation and “charge.” And so being so near Jerusalem many Jews read this title, which maybe indicating that many Jews intentionally came to this site to see Jesus Crucified.

Vs. 21-22 ²¹ Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” ²² Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 

 Now before Pilate placed the sign on Jesus Christ’s Cross designation Him as the King of the Jews the chief priests objected and wanted him to write that Jesus said He was the King of the Jews, not that He was the King of the Jews. However, Pilate is unmoved by their petition, and instead he sticks to what he has written. Thus, Jesus Christ’s Cross will forever bear the title that He is the King of Jews who along with the Gentiles Crucified Him. 

Vs. 23-24 ²³ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. ²⁴ They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. 

 Now before the soldiers Crucified Jesus, they in fulfillment of prophecy about His death also cast lots for His clothing, before dividing up them amongst themselves. Now this prophecy was given through King David roughly a thousand years before it occurred (Psalm 22:18) whose throne was established so that the Lord Jesus Christ could reign on it forever. 

Vs. 25 “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” 

 The Scripture now records that there were four women also standing by the Cross of Christ. First mentioned is Jesus’ mother Mary, then Mary’s sister is mentioned, third is another Mary who was the wife of Clopas, and finally Mary Magdalene was also there. 

Vs. 26-27 ²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. 

 Even in Jesus’ suffering He did not neglect His own. And so here Jesus seeing that they had drew near to Him now knowing that He was soon going to die now tells Mary to take John as her own son, having done so He now looks to John and tells him to take Mary as his own mother. From that hour on then John the disciples took Mary to his own home. 

Vs. 28-30 ²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” ²⁹ Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. ³⁰ So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. 

 The Scripture now records the hours of darkness that came over the land that preceded Jesus’ actual physical death when God the Father having forsaken Him to fulfill the Scripture, and Jesus having born all our sins alone on the Cross, now in a finial plea cries out, “I thirst!” Now some there upon hearing this this try to offer Jesus some comfort and mercy by filling a sponge with sour wine and putting it on hyssop and raising it to His mouth. Now this event should not be confused with the soldiers who tried to give Jesus an elixir of wine/vinegar in fulfillment of Psalm 69:21 much earlier which Jesus refused to drink because He had to bear the full brunt and pain of all our sins. Therefore, having now received the sour wine, Jesus says, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Jesus then gave His Life so that we all could have new and everlasting Life the moment we believe in Him! 

Vs. 31 “Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.” 

 With Jesus’ death occurring on a Sabbath of the Passover, therefore it is referred to a high day, the Jews requested that Pilate break the legs of Jesus and those crucified with Him so as to hasten their deaths, and or make sure that Jesus was dead. 

Vs. 32 “Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him.” 

Therefore, the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two prisoners who were crucified with Jesus. This was done so that they could no longer raise themselves up to breath and thus they would’ve in a very short time suffocated to death. 

Vs. 33-34 ³³ But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ³⁴ But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 

However, when the soldiers came upon Jesus, and seeing that He was already dead, that He was no longer trying to raise Himself up to breath, one of the soldiers took His spear and thrust it into Jesus’ side likely to make sure Jesus was dead. 

Vs. 35-37 ³⁵ And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. ³⁶ For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” ³⁷ And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” 

 Amazingly then that solider by doing so unwittingly fulfilled the Word of God about the Passover Lamb which says, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” (Exodus 12:46). As well another Scripture, specifically the prophecy found in Zechariah 12:10 which says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” Which itself is referring to the end times when believing Jews will look upon the Lord of Glory Jesus Christ whom they Crucified and will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only Son! And so, in order for that prophecy to be fulfilled it, must happen there at Christ’s Crucifixion whom they Crucified that Jesus be pierced by them.

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 8:1–11

¹ But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ² Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. ⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

 Commentary

Vs. 1 “But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.”

 Continuing on then from the dispute about the Lord Jesus Christ which ended with everyone departing to their own house. Jesus now also departs and goes to the Mount of Olives, which was not far from the Temple. For outside of its historic and prophetic significance, the Mount of Olives became a sort of refuge for Him when He wanted to pray, specifically the Garden of Gethsemane. Thus, many key events also happened, or originated from here, i.e. Jesus’ being proclaimed as King as He came down from the Mount of Olives and took the road to Jerusalem, and upon entering it cleansed the Temple for the finial time (Matt. 21:1-17). As well it was likely while coming down from here that Jesus foreseeing Jerusalem’s destruction wept over it (Luke 19:41-44). But the most significant before His being betrayed on it is Jesus’ having foretold of the Temples destruction (Matt. 24:1-2) will now give what has become to be known as His Olivet discourse. And so it was while being seated on the Mount of Olives with His disciples and observing Jerusalem in the distance, Jesus told the disciples of its destruction, the signs of the end of the age, the Great Tribulation, and His own Return, as well He gave us some critical parables to observe before His Return (Matt. 24:1-25:26). Finally on the night of His betrayal, after instituting the Lords Supper, (and thus ushering in the New Covenant), Jesus along with the eleven (Judas Iscariot having departed from them to betray Him), they went out from the upper room singing hymns because they were looking forward to His Coming Kingdom, and so coming to the Mount of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knowing that His time to be betrayed and suffer and die on the Cross had come, came here with the eleven to pray for strength, and it was here that His praying became so intense that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground (Matt. 26:36-46; Mark 13:32-42; Luke 22:39-46, vs. 44). Therefore, having resolved within Himself to face the Cross that awaited Him, Jesus went out in boldness to face Judas Iscariot and the murderous mob assembled with him. Thus, it was there on the Mount of Olives, in the garden of Gethsemane, that Jesus was taken by lawless hands and later Crucified. Nonetheless it was from the Mount of Olives that the Lord Jesus Christ having Risen from the dead, three days later, would Ascend forty days later back to God in heaven in the Presence of His disciples (Acts 1:1-11)! The mount of Olives then was the scene of some of the most crucial events during Jesus’ time down here.

Vs. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.

 Coming down then from the Mount Olives very early in the mourning Jesus once again comes into the Temple, and all the people came to Him, not to their scribes and Pharisees gathered there, not to their priests and Levites serving there, but to the Lord Jesus Christ, because He alone has the Words of everlasting life! And so, it was when they came to Him, He sat down and taught them. Think about the informality of this wonderful gathering which was so unlike what took place inside the Temple, where male Jews were assigned one section, (and in this there would’ve been a hierarchal order), woman were assigned to another section, while the Gentiles were relegated to a court, the Court of the Gentiles, which was on the outer and lower most part of the Temple grounds. And so, it was when Jesus entered the Temple grounds and the people came to Him, Jesus seated Himself, and the people (not their leaders and rulers), but just ordinary people, sat all around Him and listened to Him teach. Just a beautiful and serene scene!

Vs. 3-6 ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

 However, its not long before the scribes and Pharisees grossly and rudely interrupt this peaceful gathering by forcefully presenting a woman to Him in the midst of the crowd, and saying to Him that they have just caught her in the act of adultery! Now obviously they chose this moment to interrupt Him so as to publicly undermine Him in the presence of all gathered there. For all the people knew the Law that adultery was to be punished by stoning death. And the Pharisees also knew that Jesus had a propensity for mercy not judgment, and so if He tried to pardon her then they would have immediate grounds by which they could accuse Him before the people. Thus, under the guise of upholding justice and righteousness they now recall to Him and the people there that Moses in law said that such an individual should be stoned, and having said as much they now ask Jesus, “But what do you say?”             However, as verse six makes it clear they were not seeking to uphold truth and justice, nor were they concerned about preserving the moral purity and character of the nation, they were only interested in entrapping Jesus in a judgment by which they could accuse Him. Now upon their finishing their accusation of her, Jesus being seated with the woman standing and very likely trembling before Him, stoops over and begins writing on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. Now what Jesus wrote on the ground we do not know, (it was not preserved in the Scripture for us), however if He wished it to be preserved it would’ve been! And in fact, it may already be, if Jesus was writing the Scriptures as many believe He was. For this was a common practice in ancient times to write out Scripture verses in this manner.

Vs. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

And so with Jesus seemingly ignoring them they become even more adamant and continue to press Him for a response to either condemn her as they have, or release her, so they can accuse Him either way. Therefore, with their pressing Him for a response, Jesus now raises Himself and says to them all, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Which is such a righteous response to these wicked men’s plot and scheme, for Jesus not only upholds the Law but He also makes it clear that before they do so they need to examine themselves to see if they themselves are without sin. Now Jesus’ doing this was not done so as to normalize or rationalize people’s sins. But this as we will see He was saying so that by their own judgment and verdict of themselves He could release her.

Vs. 8-9 ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.

And so, having said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Jesus once again stoops down and begins to write on the ground again, (vs. 8) and so it was as the men who had brought the woman to her heard this saying from Jesus, being convicted by their conscience, they went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last! For no man can stand in the Presence of God on his own righteousness and feel confident to condemn another.

Vs. 10-11 ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

 Notice that only after they all had departed then Jesus raised Himself up to speak with the frightened and publicly humiliated woman. For they had all raised themselves up for her judgment, but He only raised Himself up for her pardon. And so, it was when Jesus ask her if there were any accusers left to condemn her, and she said “No one Lord.” Jesus then said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

 

Scripture Quotations

New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson. 

John 19:1–16

  ¹ So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. ² And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. ³ Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands. ⁴ Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” ⁵ Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” ⁶ Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.” ⁷ The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” ⁸ Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, ⁹ and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” ¹¹ Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” ¹² From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.” ¹³ When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. ¹⁴ Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” ¹⁵ But 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!” ¹⁶ Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.

Commentary 

Vs. 1 “So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him.” 

 When the Jews rejected Pilates offer to release to them Jesus Christ and instead choose for themselves Barabbas, Pilate did so, he released to them Barabbas, and then took the Lord Jesus Christ and scourged Him, which was a brutal form of punishment, that involved whipping with a wooden handled whip to which two or more leather straps were attached and that were often weighted with metal barbs on the ends to make the flesh cutting of the whip more effective and painful. Pilates scourging of the Jesus Christ was a fulfillment of prophecy about Him, that Jesus would suffer these things for us all (Isaiah 53:5).

Vs. 2-3 ² And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. ³ Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands. 

 Now not only was Jesus physically scourged, but He was also “scourged” of His Persons Holy Dignity when the solders after His scourging twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, having done so they then began to mock Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And then they began strike Him with their hands, abusing Him then both physically and emotionally. 

Vs. 4 Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” 

 When Pilate received word that Jesus’ scourging was complete, he went out and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.”  

Vs. 5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” 

 Pilate now presents the Lord Jesus Christ as their humiliated King beaten and bloodied before them, acknowledging neither Lord Jesus Christ’s Person or Position or Title, but declaring Him only as “the Man!” 

Vs. 6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.” 

 If Pilate thought that violently scourging and publicly humiliating the Lord Jesus Christ would be enough to appease the Jews so that he could release Him, he was mistaken. For when the chief priests and officers who seized Jesus saw Him bloodied and beaten and humiliated, they all began to cry out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate then whose conscience was likely still bothering him from his private interview with Jesus, when he heard them say that immediately retorted back, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.” It is clear then at this point Pilate is simply trying to find a way of this, and so he tries to pass the buck (or responsibility) for Jesus’ outcome back onto the Jews. 

Vs. 7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” 

  Pilate may have found no fault in Jesus, but the Jews now make it clear that they according to their law have, saying to Pilate, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” Now the principal in the Law they are referring to must be that of blasphemy, however this would only apply if what Jesus said was not true. Therefore, Jesus Christ being the Son of God as declared by God at Jesus’ baptism then leaves no doubt as to whom Jesus’ Person is, The Son of God! 

Vs. 8-9 ⁸ Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, ⁹ and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 

  When Pilate heard the Jews say that Jesus called Himself the Son of God, he became even more afraid, because even the worst of unbelievers until their hearts are fully harden retain the ability to perceive the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, when Pilate heard them say that he being even more afraid now returns to Jesus in the Praetorium asking Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. For Pilates opportunity to repent and believe came when he privately interviewed Jesus, but when Pilate rejected the truth and light of revelation that Jesus gave him, when he said, “what is truth”, no more truth or revelation or light of Jesus Christ’s Person would be given him by Him. 

Vs. 10 Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” 

 Pilate now becomes agitated that the Lord Jesus Christ will not now testify of His Person to him, and so he threatens Jesus, saying to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” 

Vs. 11 Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” 

 Jesus now responds but not to Pilates request, but only to tell him that he has no power at all against Him unless it had been given him from above. In essence Jesus is saying to Pilate what you are doing is not of your making or power, but it has given you from above so that you may be an agent in fulfilling the Word of God about Me. “Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” Because Jesus’ upcoming Crucifixion death began with their desire to do so, not Pilates, therefore they bear a greater sin. Pilate though still bears his own sin in choosing to use his God given position and power to appease them, and thus to agree to Crucify Jesus Christ for them. 

Vs. 12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.” 

 In some ways Pilate though not believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God still felt an affinity for Him, for wanting to release Him, for as Pilate said earlier, he found no fault in Jesus, so why should he crucify Him. Therefore, Pilate sought to release Jesus because he felt no animosity towards Him. However, the Jews would not have it, and continued to insist that he crucify Jesus, now saying to Pilate, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.” 

Vs. 13 “When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.” 

 And that was the turning point for Pilate, who when seeing his own political standing with Rome threatened if he let Jesus go, now surrenders to their will to Crucify Jesus. And so he now has Jesus brought out to them, and sitting down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha, Pilate will render a Crucifixion death penalty verdict against the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Vs. 14-16 ¹⁴ Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour. And he said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” ¹⁵ But 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!” ¹⁶ Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. 

 And so now Jesus is brought out to the Jews beaten and bloodied. Pilate then presents Jesus to them by saying to them, “Behold your King!” Which only incites the raucous mob to reply back, “Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!” Pilate though not content with that will once again seek to belittle the Jews, and so he now says to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” However, this time it is the chief priests whose voices are heard, who orchestrated this day, who will now hypocritically feign loyalty to Rome by saying to Pilate, “We have no king but Caesar!” And with that Pilate delivers Jesus to them to be crucified. They then took Jesus and led him away.

Scripture Quotations

New King James (182):Thomas Nelson.