WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudy

Bible
John19
Verses142
Chapter19
JESUSANDPILATE(John18:2840John19:116)
19:116TheybroughtJesusfromCaiaphastothegovernor's
headquarters.Itwasearlyinthemorningandtheythemselves
didnotenterintotheheadquarters,incasetheyshouldbe
defiledbuttheywishedtoavoiddefilementbecausethey
wishedtoeatthePassover.SoPilatecameouttothemand
said:"Whatchargedoyoubringagainstthisman?"They
answeredhim:"Ifhehadnotbeenanevildoer,wewouldnot
havehandedhimovertoyou."Pilatesaidtothem:"Youtake
him,andjudgehimaccordingtoyourlaws."TheJewssaidto
Pilate:"Itisnotpermittedtoustoputanyonetodeath."This
happenedthattheremightbefulfilledthewordofJesus,which
hespokeinindicationofthekindofdeathhewasgoingtodie.
SoPilatewentagainintohisheadquarters,andcalledJesus,
andsaidtohim:"AreyoutheKingoftheJews?"Jesus
answered:"Areyousayingthisbecauseyouhavediscoveredit
yourself?.Ordidotherstellittoyouaboutme?"Pilate
answered:"AmIaJew?Yourowncountrymenandthechief
priestshandedyouovertome.Whathaveyoudone?"Jesus
answered:"Mykingdomisnotofthisworld.Ifmykingdomwas
ofthisworld,myservantswouldhavefoughttopreventme
beinghandedovertotheJews.But,asitis,mykingdomdoes
nothaveitssourcehere."SoPilatesaidtohim:"Soyouarea
kingthen?"Jesussaid:"ItisyouwhoaresayingthatIama
king.ThereasonwhyIwasbornandcameintotheworldisthat
Ishouldbearwitnesstothetruth.Everyonewhoisofthetruth
hearsmyvoice.""Whatistruth?"Pilatesaidtohim.
Whenhehadsaidthis,heagainwentouttotheJewsandsaid
tothem:"Ifindnofaultinhim.YouhaveacustomthatIshould
releaseonepersontoyouatthePassovertime.Doyouwish
metoreleasetheKingoftheJewsforyou?"Theyshouted:
"Notthisman,butBarabbas."AndBarabbaswasabrigand.
ThenPilatetookJesusandscourgedhimandthesoldiers
plaitedacrownofthorns,andputitonhishead.Andtheyputa
purplerobeonhimandtheykeptcomingtohimandsaying:
"Hail!KingoftheJews!"Andtheydealthimrepeatedblows.
Pilatecameoutagainandsaidtothem:"See!Ibringhimoutto
you,becauseIwantyoutoknowthatIfindnofaultinhim."So
Jesuscameout,wearingthecrownofthornsandthepurple
robe.AndPilatesaidtothem:"See!TheMan!"So,whenthe
chiefpriestsandofficerssawhim,theyshouted:"Crucifyhim!
Crucifyhim!"Pilatesaidtothem:"Youtake.him,andcrucify
him!ForIfindnofaultinhim."TheJewsansweredhim:"We
havealaw,andbythatlawheoughttodie,becausehemade

himselfouttobetheSonofGod."WhenPilateheardthis
saying,hewasstillmorealarmed.
Hewentintohisheadquartersagain,andsaidtoJesus:"Where
doyoucomefrom?"Jesusgavehimnoanswer.Pilatesaidto
him:"Doyourefusetospeaktome?AreyounotawarethatI
haveauthoritytoreleaseyou,andauthoritytocrucifyyou?"
Jesusansweredhim:"Youwouldhavenoauthorityagainstme
whatsoever,unlessithadbeengiventoyoufromabove.Thatis
whyhewhobetrayedmetoyouisguiltyofthegreatersin."
FromthismomentPilatetriedeverywaytoreleasehimbutthe
Jewskeptinsistentlyshouting:"Ifyoureleasethisman,youare
notCaesar'sfriend.Everymanwhomakeshimselfakingisan
opponentofCaesar."SowhenPilateheardthesewords,he
broughtJesusout.Hetookhisseatonhisjudgmentseat,inthe
placethatiscalledthePavementinHebrew,Gabbatha.Itwas
thedayofthepreparationforthePassover.Itwasabouttwelve
o'clockmidday.HesaidtotheJews:"See!Yourking!"They
shouted:"Awaywithhim!Awaywithhim!Crucifyhim!"Pilate
saidtothem:"ShallIcrucifyyourking?"Thechiefpriests
answered:"WehavenokingbutCaesar."Thenhehandedhim
overtothemtobecrucified.
ThisisthemostdramaticaccountofthetrialofJesusintheNewTestament,andto
havecutitintosmallsectionswouldhavebeentolosethedrama.Ithastoberead
asonebutnowthatwehavereaditasone,weshalltakeseveraldaystostudyit.
Thedramaofthispassageliesintheclashandinterplayofpersonalities.Itwill
thereforebebesttostudyit,notsectionbysection,butinthelightoftheactors
withinit.
WebeginbylookingattheJews.InthetimeofJesustheJewsweresubjecttothe
Romans.TheRomansallowedthemagooddealofselfgovernment,buttheyhad
nottherighttocarryoutthedeathpenalty.Theiusgladii,asitwascalled,theright
ofthesword,belongedonlytotheRomans.AstheTalmudrecords:"Fortyyears
beforethedestructionoftheTemple,judgmentinmattersoflifeanddeathwastaken
awayfromIsrael."ThefirstRomangovernorofPalestinewasnamedCoponius,and
Josephus,tellingofhisappointmentasgovernor,saysthathewassentas
procurator"havingthepoweroflifeanddeathputintohishandsbyCaesar."
(Josephus,WarsoftheJews,2,8,1).Josephusalsotellsofacertainpriestcalled
Ananuswhodeterminedtoexecutecertainofhisenemies.Jewsofmoreprudent
mindprotestedagainsthisdecisiononthegroundsthathehadnorighteithertotake
itorcarryitout.Ananuswasnotallowedtocarryhisdecisionintopracticeandwas
deposedfromofficeforeventhinkingofdoingso.(Josephus,Antiquitiesofthe
Jews,20,9,1).Itistruethatsometimes,as,forinstance,inthecaseofStephen,
theJewsdidtakethelawintotheirownhandsbutlegallytheyhadnorighttoinflict
thedeathpenaltyonanyone.ThatwaswhytheyhadtobringJesustoPilatebefore
hecouldbecrucified.
IftheJewshadthemselvesbeenabletocarryoutthedeathpenalty,itwouldhave
beenbystoning.TheLawlaysitdown:"Andhewhoblasphemesthenameofthe
Lord,shallbeputtodeath,allthecongregationshallstonehim"(Leviticus24:16).in
suchacasethewitnesseswhosewordprovedthecrimehadtobethefirsttofling
thestones."Thehandofthewitnessesshallbefirstagainsthimtoputhimtodeath,
andafterwardthehandofallthepeople"(Deuteronomy17:7).Thatisthepointof
John18:32.Thatversesaysthatallthiswashappeningthattheremightbefulfilled
thewordofJesusinindicationofthekindofdeathhewasgoingtodie.Hehadsaid
thatwhenhewasliftedup,thatis,whenhewascrucified,hewoulddrawallmento
him(John12:32).IfthatprophecyofJesuswastobefulfilled,hemustbecrucified,
notstonedandtherefore,evenapartfromthefactthatRomanlawwouldnotallow
theJewstocarryoutthedeathpenalty,JesushadtodieaRomandeath,because
hehadtobeliftedup.
TheJewsfromstarttofinishwereseekingtousePilatefortheirpurposes.They
couldnotkillJesusthemselves,sotheyweredeterminedthattheRomanswouldkill
himforthem.

JESUSANDPILATEJEWS(John18:2840John19:116continued)
ButthereweremorethingsabouttheJewsthanthat.
(i)TheybeganbyhatingJesusbuttheyfinishedinaveryhysteriaofhatred,howling
likewolves,withfacestwistedinbitterness:"Crucifyhim!Crucifyhim!"Intheend
theyreachedsuchaninsanityofhatredthattheywereimpervioustoreasonandto
mercyandeventotheclaimsofcommonhumanity.Nothinginthisworldwarpsa
man'sjudgmentashatreddoes.Onceamanallowshimselftohate,hecanneither
thinknorseestraight,norlistenwithoutdistortion.Hatredisaterriblethingbecause
ittakesaman'ssensesaway.
(ii)ThehatredoftheJewsmadethemloseallsenseofproportion.Theywereso
carefulofceremonialandritualcleannessthattheywouldnotenterPilate's
headquarters,andyettheywerebusydoingeverythingpossibletocrucifytheSonof
God.ToeatthePassover,aJewhadtobeabsolutelyceremoniallyclean.Now,if
theyhadgoneintoPilate'sheadquarters,theywouldhaveincurreduncleannessina
doubleway.First,thescriballawsaid:"ThedwellingplacesofGentilesareunclean."
Second,thePassoverwastheFeastofUnleavenedBread.Partofthepreparation
foritwasaceremonialsearchforleaven,andthebanishingofeveryparticleof
leavenfromeveryhousebecauseitwasthesymbolofevil.TogointoPilate's
headquarterswouldhavebeentogointoaplacewhereleavenmightbefoundand
togointosuchaplacewhenthePassoverwasbeingpreparedwastorenderoneself
unclean.ButeveniftheJewshadenteredaGentilehousewhichcontainedleaven,
theywouldhavebeenuncleanonlyuntilevening.Thentheywouldhavehadto
undergoceremonialbathingafterwhichtheywouldhavebeenclean.
NowseewhattheJewsweredoing.Theywerecarryingoutthedetailsofthe
ceremoniallawwithmeticulouscareandatthesametimetheywerehoundingtothe
CrosstheSonofGod.Thatisjustthekindofthingthatmenarealwaysliabletodo.
Manyachurchmemberfussesaboutthesheeresttrifles,andbreaksGod'slawof
loveandofforgivenessandofserviceeveryday.Thereisevenmanyachurchin
whichthedetailsofvestments,furnishings,ritual,ceremonialareattendedtowith
themostdetailedcare,andwherethespiritofloveandfellowshipareconspicuous
onlybytheirabsence.Oneofthemosttragicthingsintheworldishowthehuman
mindcanloseitssenseofproportionanditsabilitytoputfirstthingsfirst.
(ii)TheJewsdidnothesitatetotwisttheirchargeagainstJesus.Intheirownprivate
examinationthechargetheyhadformulatedwasoneofblasphemy(Matthew26:65).
TheyknewwellthatPilatewouldnotproceedonachargelikethat.Hewouldhave
saiditwastheirownprivatereligiousquarrelandtheycouldsettleisastheyliked
withoutcomingtohim.IntheendwhattheJewsproducedwasachargeofrebellion
andpoliticalinsurrection.TheyaccusedJesusofclaimingtobeaking,although
theyknewthattheiraccusationwasalie.Hatredisaterriblethinganddoesnot
hesitatetotwistthetruth.
(iv)InordertocompassthedeathofJesustheJewsdeniedeveryprinciplethey
had.Themostastonishingthingtheysaidthatdaywas:"Wehavenokingbut
Caesar."Samuel'swordtothepeoplewasthatGodalonewastheirking(1Samuel
12:12).WhenthecrownwasofferedtoGideon,hisanswerwas:"Iwillnotruleover
you,andmysonwillnotruleoveryou:theLordwillruleoveryou"(8:23).Whenthe
RomanshadfirstcomeintoPalestine,theyhadtakenacensusinordertoarrange
thenormaltaxationtowhichsubjectpeoplewereliable.Andtherehadbeenthemost
bloodyrebellion,becausetheJewsinsistedthatGodalonewastheirking,andto
himalonetheywouldpaytribute.WhentheJewishleadersaid:"Wehavenokingbut
Caesar."itwasthemostastonishingvoltefaceinhistory.Theverystatementmust
havetakenPilate'sbreathaway,andhemusthavelookedattheminhalf
bewildered,halfcynicalamusement.TheJewswerepreparedtoabandonevery
principletheyhadinordertoeliminateJesus.
Itisaterriblepicture.ThehatredoftheJewsturnedthemintoamaddenedmobof
shrieking,frenziedfanatics.Intheirhatredtheyforgotallmercy,allsenseof
proportion,alljustice,alltheirprinciples,evenGod.Neverinhistorywastheinsanity
ofhatredsovividlyshown.
JESUSANDPILATEPILATE'SHISTORY(John18:2840John19:116

continued)
NowweturntothesecondpersonalityinthisstoryPilate.Throughoutthetrialhis
conductiswellnighincomprehensible.Itisabundantlyclear,itcouldnotbeclearer,
thatPilateknewthatthechargesoftheJewswereaseriesoflies,thatheknewthat
Jesuswascompletelyinnocent,thathewasdeeplyimpressedwithhim,andthathe
didnotwishtocondemnhimtodeathandyethedid.First,hetriedtorefusetodeal
withthecasethenhetriedtoreleaseJesusonthegroundsthatatthePassovera
criminalwasalwaysreleasedthenhetriedtocompromisebyscourgingJesusthen
hemadealastappeal.Butherefusedallthroughtoputhisfootdownandtellthe
Jewsthathewouldhavenothingtodowiththeirevilmachinations.Wewillnever
evenbegintounderstandPilateunlessweunderstandhishistory,whichissetout
foruspartlyinthewritingsofJosephusandpartlyinthewritingsofPhilo.
TounderstandthepartthatPilateplayedinthisdramawemustgobackalongway.
Tobeginwith,whatwasaRomangovernordoinginJudaeaatall?
In4B.C.HerodtheGreatdied.HehadbeenkingofthewholeofPalestine.Forall
hisfaultshewasinmanywaysagoodking,andhehadbeenveryfriendlywiththe
Romans.Inhiswillhedivideduphiskingdombetweenthreeofhissons.Antipas
receivedGalileeandPeraeaPhilipreceivedBatanea,AuranitisandTrachonitis,the
wildunpopulatedregionsofthenortheastandArchelaus,whoatthetimewasonly
eighteenyearsold,receivedIdumaea,JudaeaandSamaria.TheRomansapproved
thisdistributionofthekingdom,andratifiedit.
AntipasandPhilipgovernedquietlyandwellbutArchelausgovernedwithsuch
extortionandtyrannythattheJewsthemselvesrequestedtheRomanstoremove
him,andtoappointagovernor.Thelikelihoodisthattheyexpectedtobe
incorporatedintothelargeprovinceofSyriaandhadthatbeenso,theprovincewas
solargethattheywouldveryprobablyhavebeenleftprettymuchtocarryonthe
waytheywere.AllRomanprovincesweredividedintotwoclasses.Thosewhich
requiredtroopsstationedinthemwereinthedirectcontroloftheEmperorandwere
imperialprovincesthosewhichdidnotrequiretroopsbutwerepeacefulandtrouble
free,wereinthedirectcontrolofthesenateandweresenatorialprovinces.
Palestinewasobviouslyatroubledlanditneededtroopsandthereforeitwasinthe
controloftheEmperor.Reallygreatprovincesweregovernedeitherbyaproconsul
oralegateSyriawaslikethat.Smallerprovincesofthesecondclass,were
governedbyaprocurator.Hewasinfullcontrolofthemilitaryandjudicial
administrationoftheprovince.Hevisitedeverypartoftheprovinceatleastoncea
yearandheardcasesandcomplaints.Hesuperintendedtheingatheringoftaxesbut
hadnoauthoritytoincreasethem.Hewaspaidasalaryfromthetreasuryandwas
strictlyforbiddentoaccepteitherpresentsorbribesand,ifheexceededhisduties,
thepeopleofhisprovincehadpowertoreporthimtotheEmperor.
ItwasaprocuratorthatAugustusappointedtocontroltheaffairsofPalestine,and
thefirstonetookoverinA.D.6.PilatetookoverinA.D.26andremainedinoffice
untilA.D.35.Palestinewasaprovincebristlingwithproblems,onewhichrequireda
firmandastrongandawisehand.WedonotknowPilate'sprevioushistory,butwe
doknowthathemusthavehadthereputationofbeingagoodadministratororhe
wouldneverhavebeengiventheresponsiblepositionofgoverningPalestine.Ithad
tobekeptinorder,for,asaglanceatthemapwillshow,itwasthebridgebetween
EgyptandSyria.
ButasgovernorPilatewasafailure.Heseemedtobeginwithacompletecontempt
andacompletelackofsympathyfortheJews.Threefamous,orinfamous,incidents
markedhiscareer.
ThefirstoccurredonhisfirstvisittoJerusalem.Jerusalemwasnotthecapitalofthe
provinceitsheadquarterswereatCaesarea.Buttheprocuratorpaidmanyvisitsto
Jerusalem,and,whenhedid,hestayedintheoldpalaceoftheHerodsinthewest
partofthecity.WhenhecametoJerusalem,healwayscamewithadetachmentof
soldiers.Thesoldiershadtheirstandardsandonthetopofthestandardtherewasa
littlebustinmetalofthereigningEmperor.TheEmperorwasregardedasagod,and
totheJewthatlittlebustonthestandardswasagravenimage.

AllpreviousRomangovernors,indeferencetothereligiousscruplesoftheJews,
hadremovedthatimagebeforetheyenteredthecity.Pilaterefusedtodoso.The
Jewsbesoughthimtodoso.Pilatewasadamanthewouldnotpandertothe
superstitionsoftheJews.HewentbacktoCaesarea.TheJewsfollowedhim.They
doggedhisfootstepsforfivedays.Theywerehumble,butdeterminedintheir
requests.Finallyhetoldthemtomeethimintheamphitheatre.Hesurroundedthem
witharmedsoldiers,andinformedthemthatiftheydidnotstoptheirrequeststhey
wouldbekilledthereandthen.TheJewsbaredtheirnecksandbadethesoldiers
strike.NotevenPilatecouldmassacredefencelessmenlikethat.Hewasbeaten
andcompelledtoagreethattheimagesshouldthereafterberemovedfromthe
standards.ThatwashowPilatebegan,anditwasabadbeginning.
Thesecondincidentwasthis.TheJerusalemwatersupplywasinadequate.Pilate
determinedtobuildanewaqueduct.Wherewasthemoneytocomefrom?Heraided
theTempletreasurywhichcontainedmillions.ItisveryunlikelythatPilatetook
moneythatwasdepositedforthesacrificesandtheTempleservice.Muchmore
likely,hetookmoneywhichwasentitledKorban,andwhichcamefromsources
whichmadeitimpossibletouseforsacredpurposes.Hisaqueductwasmuch
neededitwasaworthyandagreatundertakingthewatersupplywouldevenbeof
greatbenefittotheTemplewhichneededmuchcleansingwithitscontinual
sacrifices.Butthepeopleresentedittheyriotedandsurgedthroughthestreets.
Pilatemingledhissoldierswiththeminplainclothes,withconcealedweapons.Ata
givensignaltheyattackedthemobandmanyaJewwasclubbedorstabbedto
death.OnceagainPilatewasunpopularandhewasrenderedliabletobereportedto
theEmperor.
ThethirdincidentturnedoutevenworseforPilate.Aswehaveseen,whenhewasin
Jerusalem,hestayedintheancientpalaceoftheHerods.Hehadcertainshields
madeandonthemhehadinscribedthenameofTiberiustheEmperor.These
shieldswerewhatisknownasvotiveshieldstheyweredevotedtothehonourand
thememoryoftheEmperor.NowtheEmperorwasregardedasagodsoherewas
thenameofastrangegodinscribedanddisplayedforreverenceintheholycity.The
peoplewereenragedthegreatestmen,evenhisclosestsupporters,besoughtPilate
toremovethem.Herefused.TheJewsreportedthemattertoTiberiustheEmperor,
andheorderedPilatetoremovethem.
ItisrelevanttonotehowPilateendedup.ThislastincidenthappenedafterJesus
hadbeencrucified,intheyearA.D.35.TherewasarevoltinSamaria.Itwasnot
veryseriousbutPilatecrusheditwithsadisticferocityandaplethoraofexecutions.
TheSamaritanshadalwaysbeenregardedasloyalcitizensofRomeandthelegate
ofSyriaintervened.TiberiusorderedPilatebacktoRome.Whenhewasontheway,
Tiberiusdiedsofarasweknow,Pilatenevercametojudgmentandfromthat
momenthevanishesfromhistory.
ItisclearwhyPilateactedashedid.TheJewsblackmailedhimintocrucifying
Jesus.Theysaid:"Ifyouletthismango,youarenotCaesar'sfriend."Thiswas,in
effect:"Yourrecordisnottoogoodyouwerereportedoncebeforeifyoudonot
giveusourway,wewillreportyouagaintotheEmperor,andyouwillbedismissed."
OnthatdayinJerusalem,Pilate'spastroseupandhauntedhim.Hewas
blackmailedintoassentingtothedeathofChrist,becausehispreviousmistakeshad
madeitimpossibleforhimbothtodefytheJewsandtokeephispost.Somehow
onecannothelpbeingsorryforPilate.Hewantedtodotherightthingbuthehadnot
thecouragetodefytheJewsanddoit.HecrucifiedJesusinordertokeephisjob.
JESUSANDPILATEPILATE'SCONDUCT(John18:2840John19:116
continued)
WehaveseenPilate'shistoryletusnowlookathisconductduringhistrialof
Jesus.HedidnotwishtocondemnJesus,becauseheknewthathewasinnocent
andyethewascaughtinthemeshofhisownpast.
(i)Pilatebeganbytryingtoputtheresponsibilityontosomeoneelse.Hesaidtothe
Jews:"Youtakethismanandjudgehimaccordingtoyourlaws."Hetriedtoevade
theresponsibilityofdealingwithJesusbutthatispreciselywhatnoonecando.No
onecandealwithJesusforuswemustdealwithhimourselves.

(ii)Pilatewentontotrytofindawayofescapefromtheentanglementinwhichhe
foundhimself.HetriedtousethecustomofreleasingaprisoneratthePassoverin
ordertoengineerthereleaseofJesus.HetriedtoevadedealingdirectlywithJesus
himselfbutagainthatispreciselywhatnoonecando.Thereisnoescapefroma
personaldecisioninregardtoJesuswemustourselvesdecidewhatwewilldowith
him,accepthimorrejecthim.
(iii)Pilatewentontoseewhatcompromisecoulddo.HeorderedJesustobe
scourged.ItmusthavebeeninPilate'smindthatascourgingmightsatisfy,orat
leastblunttheedgeof,Jewishhostility.Hefeltthathemightavoidhavingtogive
theverdictofthecrossbygivingtheverdictofscourging.Onceagain,thatiswhat
nomancando.NomancancompromisewithJesusnomancanservetwo
masters.WeareeitherforJesusoragainsthim.
(iv)Pilatewentontotrywhatappealcoulddo.HeledJesusoutbrokenbythe
scourgingandshowedhimtothepeople.Heaskedthem:"ShallIcrucifyyourking?"
Hetriedtoswingthebalancebythisappealtoemotionandtopity.Butnomancan
hopethatappealtootherscantaketheplaceofhisownpersonaldecisionandit
wasPilate'splacetomakehisowndecision.Nomancanevadeapersonalverdict
andapersonaldecisioninregardtoJesusChrist.
IntheendPilateadmitteddefeat.HeabandonedJesustothemob,becausehehad
notthecouragetotaketherightdecisionandtodotherightthing.
ButtherearestillmoresidelightshereonthecharacterofPilate.
(i)ThereisahintofPilate'singrainedattitudeofcontempt.heaskedJesusifhewas
aking.Jesusaskedwhetherheaskedthisonthebasisofwhathehimselfhad
discovered,oronthebasisofinformationindirectlyreceived.Pilate'sanswerwas:
"AmIaJew?HowdoyouexpectmetoknowanythingaboutJewishaffairs?"He
wastooproudtoinvolvehimselfinwhatheregardedasJewishsquabblesand
superstitions.Andthatpridewasexactlywhatmadehimabadgovernor.Noonecan
governapeopleifhemakesnoattempttounderstandthemandtoenterintotheir
thoughtsandminds.
(ii)ThereisakindofsuperstitiouscuriosityaboutPilate.Hewishedtoknowwhence
JesuscameanditwasmorethanJesus'nativeplacethathewasthinkingof.When
heheardthatJesushadclaimedtobetheSonofGod,hewasstillmoredisturbed.
Pilatewassuperstitiousratherthanreligious,fearingthattheremightbesomething
init.HewasafraidtocometoadecisioninJesus'favourbecauseoftheJewshe
wasequallyafraidtocometoadecisionagainsthim,becausehehadthelurking
suspicionthatGodmightbeinthis.
(iii)ButattheheartofPilatewasawistfullonging.WhenJesussaidthathehad
cometowitnesstothetruth,Pilate'sanswerwas:"Whatistruth?"Therearemany
waysinwhichamanmightaskthatquestion.Hemightaskitincynicaland
sardonichumour.BaconimmortalizedPilate'sanswer,whenhewrote:"Whatis
truth?saidjestingPilateandwouldnotstayforananswer."Butitwasnotincynical
humourthatPilateaskedthisquestionnorwasitthequestionofamanwhodidnot
care.Herewasthechinkinhisarmour.Heaskedthequestionwistfullyandwearily.
Pilatebythisworld'sstandardswasasuccessfulman.Hehadcomealmosttothe
topoftheRomancivilservicehewasgovernorgeneralofaRomanprovincebut
therewassomethingmissing.Hereinthepresenceofthissimple,disturbinghated
Galilaean,Pilatefeltthatforhimthetruthwasstillamysteryandthatnowhehad
gothimselfintoasituationwheretherewasnochancetolearnit.Itmaybehe
jested,butitwasthejestofdespair.PhilipGibbssomewheretellsoflisteningtoa
debatebetweenT.S.Eliot,MargaretIrwin,C.DayLewisandotherdistinguished
peopleonthesubject,"Isthislifeworthliving?""True,theyjested,"hesaid,"but
theyjestedlikejestersknockingatthedoorofdeath."
Pilatewaslikethat.IntohislifetherecameJesus,andsuddenlyhesawwhathe
hadmissed.Thatdayhemighthavefoundallthathehadmissedbuthehadnotthe
couragetodefytheworldinspiteofhispast,andtotakehisstandwithChristanda
futurewhichwasglorious.

JESUSANDPILATEJESUS(John18:2840John19:116continued)
WehavethoughtofthepictureofthecrowdinthistrialofJesusandwehave
thoughtofthepictureofPilate.Nowwemustcometothecentralcharacterinthe
dramaJesushimself.Heisdepictedbeforeuswithaseriesofmasterstrokes.
(i)Firstandforemost,noonecanreadthisstorywithoutseeingthesheer
majestyofJesus.Thereisnosensethatheisontrial.Whenamanfaceshim,itis
notJesuswhoisontrialitistheman.PilatemayhavetreatedmanyJewishthings
witharrogantcontempt,buthedidnotsotreatJesus.Wecannothelpfeelingthatit
isJesuswhoisincontrolandPilatewhoisbewilderedandflounderinginasituation
whichhecannotunderstand.ThemajestyofJesusnevershonemoreradiantlythan
inthehourwhenhewasontrialbeforemen.
(ii)Jesusspeakswithutterdirectnesstousofhiskingdomitisnot,hesays,of
thisearth.TheatmosphereinJerusalemwasalwaysexplosiveduringthePassover
itwassheerdynamite.TheRomanswellknewthat,andduringthePassovertime
theyalwaysdraftedextratroopsintoJerusalem.ButPilateneveratanytimehad
morethanthreethousandmenunderhiscommand.SomewouldbeinCaesarea,his
headquarterssomewouldbeongarrisondutyinSamariatherecannotreallyhave
beenmorethanafewhundredondutyinJerusalem.IfJesushadwishedtoraisethe
standardofrebellionandtofightitout,hecouldhavedoneiteasilyenough.Buthe
makesitquiteclearthatheclaimstobeakingandequallyclearthathiskingdomis
notbasedonforcebutisakingdomintheheartsofmen.Hewouldneverdenythat
heaimedatconquest,butitwastheconquestoflove.
(iii)Jesustellsuswhyhecameintotheworld.Hecametowitnesstothetruth
hecametotellmenthetruthaboutGod,thetruthaboutthemselves,andthetruth
aboutlife.AsEmersonhadit:
"Whenhalfgodsgo,
Thegodsarrive."
Thedaysofguessingsandgropingsandhalftruthsweregone.Hecametotellmen
thetruth.Thatisoneofthegreatreasonswhywemusteitheracceptorrefuse
Christ.Thereisnohalfwayhouseaboutthetruth.Amaneitheracceptsit,orrejects
itandChrististhetruth.
(iv)WeseethephysicalcourageofJesus.Pilatehadhimscourged.Whenaman
wasscourgedhewastiedtoawhippingpostinsuchawaythathisbackwasfully
exposed.Thelashwasalongleathernthong,studdedatintervalswithpelletsoflead
andsharpenedpiecesofbone.Itliterallytoreaman'sbackintostrips.Fewremained
consciousthroughouttheordealsomediedandmanywentravingmad.Jesus
stoodthat.Andafterit,Pilateledhimouttothecrowdandsaid:"See!Theman!"
HereisoneofJohn'sdoublemeanings.ItmusthavebeenPilate'sfirstintentionto
awakenthepityoftheJews."Look!"hesaid."Lookatthispoor,bruised,bleeding
creature!Lookatthiswretchedness!Canyoupossiblywishtohoundacreaturelike
thistoanutterlyunnecessarydeath?"Butwecanalmosthearthetoneofhisvoice
changeashesaysit,andseethewonderdawninhiseyes.Andinsteadofsayingit
halfcontemptuously,toawakenpity,hesaysitwithanadmirationthatwillnotbe
repressed.ThewordthatPilateusedisho(Greek#3588)anthropos(Greek#444),
whichisthenormalGreekforahumanbeingbutnotsolongafterwardstheGreek
thinkerswereusingthatverytermfortheheavenlyman,theidealman,thepattern
ofmanhood.ItisalwaystruethatwhateverelsewesayordonotsayaboutJesus,
hissheerheroismiswithoutparallel.Hereindeedisaman.
JESUSANDPILATETHETRIAL(John18:2840John19:116continued)
(v)OnceagainweseehereinthetrialofJesusthespontaneousnessofhisdeath
andthesupremecontrolofGod.PilatewarnedJesusthathehadpowertorelease
himortocrucifyhim.JesusansweredthatPilatehadnopoweratall,exceptwhat
hadbeengivenhimbyGod.ThecrucifixionofJesusnever,frombeginningtoend,
readslikethestoryofamancaughtupinaninexorablewebofcircumstancesover
whichhehadnocontrolitneverreadslikethestoryofamanwhowashoundedto
hisdeathitisthestoryofamanwhoselastdayswereatriumphantprocession

towardsthegoaloftheCross.
(vi)AndherealsoistheterriblepictureofthesilenceofJesus.Therewasatime
whenhehadnoanswertogivetoPilate.TherewereothertimeswhenJesuswas
silent.HewassilentbeforetheHighPriest(Matthew26:63Mark14:61).Hewas
silentbeforeHerod(Luke23:9).Hewassilentwhenthechargesagainsthimwere
madetoPilatebytheJewishauthorities(Matthew27:14Mark15:5).Wehave
sometimestheexperience,whentalkingtootherpeople,offindingthatargumentand
discussionarenolongerpossible,becauseweandtheyhavenocommonground.It
isalmostasifwespokeanotherlanguage.Thathappenswhenmendoinfactspeak
anothermentalandspirituallanguage.ItisaterribledaywhenJesusissilenttoa
man.Therecanbenothingmoreterriblethanforaman'smindtobesoshutbyhis
prideandhisselfwill,thatthereisnothingJesuscansaytohimthatwillmakeany
difference.
(vii)Finally,itisjustpossiblethatinthistrialscenethereisastrange,dramatic
climax,whichisamagnificentexampleofJohn'sdramaticirony.
ThescenecomestoanendbysayingthatPilatebroughtJesusoutaswehave
translatedit,andastheKingJamesVersionandRevisedStandardtranslateit,
PilatecameouttotheplacethatwascalledthePavementofGabbathawhichmay
meanthetessellatedpavementofmarblemosaicandsatuponthejudgmentseat.
Thiswasthebema(Greek#968),onwhichthemagistratesattogivehisofficial
decisions.Nowtheverbfortositiskathizein(Greek#2523),andthatmaybeeither
intransitiveortransitiveitmaymeaneithertositdownoneself,ortoseatanother.
JustpossiblyitmeansherethatPilatewithonelastmockinggesturebroughtJesus
out,cladintheterriblefineryoftheoldpurplerobeandwithhisforeheadgirtwiththe
crownofthornsandthedropsofbloodthethornshadwakened,andsethiminthe
judgmentseat,andwithawaveofhishandsaid:"AmItocrucifyyourking?"The
apocryphalGospelofPetersaysthatinthemockery,theysetJesusontheseatof
judgmentandsaid:"Judgejustly,KingofIsrael."JustinMartyrtoosaysthat"they
setJesusonthejudgmentseat,andsaid,'Givejudgmentforus'."Itmaybethat
PilatejestinglycaricaturedJesusasjudge.Ifthatisso,whatdramaticironyisthere.
ThatwhichwasamockerywasthetruthandonedaythosewhohadmockedJesus
asjudgewouldmeethimasjudgeandwouldremember.
Sointhisdramatictrialsceneweseetheimmutablemajesty,theundaunted
courageandthesereneacceptanceoftheCrossofJesus.Neverwashesoregalas
whenmendidtheirworsttohumiliatehim.
JESUSANDPILATETHESOLDIERS(John18:2840John19:116continued)
WehavelookedatthemainpersonalitiesinthetrialofJesustheJewswiththeir
hatred,Pilatewithhishauntingpast,andJesusintheserenityofhisregalmajesty.
Butcertainotherpeoplewereontheoutskirtsofthescene.
(i)Therewerethesoldiers.WhenJesuswasgivenintotheirhandstobescourged,
theyamusedthemselveswiththeircrudehorseplay.Hewasaking?Wellthen,let
himhavearobeandcrown.Sotheyputanoldpurplerobeonhimandacrownof
thornsroundhisbrowandtheyslappedhimontheface.Theywereplayingagame
thatancientpeoplecommonlyplayed.PhiloinhisworkOnFlaccustellsofavery
similarthingthatthemobatAlexandriadid."TherewasamadmannamedCarabas,
afflictednotwiththesavageandbeastlikesortofmadnessforthisformis
undisguisablebothforsufferersandbystandersbutwiththequietandmilderkind.
Heusedtospendhisdaysandnightsnakedinthestreets,shelteringfromneither
heatnorfrost,aplaythingofchildrenandidlelads.Theyjoinedindrivingthewretch
tothegymnasium,and,settinghimaloftsothathecouldbeseenbyeveryone,they
flattenedastripofbarkforafilletandputitonhishead,andwrappedafloorrug
roundhisbodyforamantle,andforsceptresomeonecatchingsightofasmallpiece
ofthenativepapyrusthathadbeenthrownontheroadhandedittohim.Andwhen
hehadassumedtheinsigniaofkingshipasintheatricalmimes,andhadbeen
arrayedinthecharacterofking,youngmenbearingstaffsontheirshoulderstook
theirstanceoneithersideinplaceofspearmen,mimiclancers.Thenothers
approached,someasiftogreethim,othersasthoughtopleadtheircauses,others
asthoughtopetitionhimaboutpublicmatters.Thenfromthesurroundingmultitudes
rangforthanoutlandishshoutof'Marin,'thenamebywhichitissaidthatkingsare

calledinSyria."ItisapoignantthingthatthesoldierstreatedJesusasaribald
crowdmighttreatanidiotboy.
AndyetofallthepeopleinvolvedinthetrialofJesus,thesoldierswereleastto
blame,fortheydidnotknowwhattheyweredoing.Mostlikelytheyhadcomeup
fromCaesareaanddidnotknowwhatitwasallabout.Jesustothemwasonlya
chancecriminal.
HereisanotherexampleofthedramaticironyofJohn.Thesoldiersmadea
caricatureofJesusasking,whileinactualfacthewastheonlyking.Beneaththe
jesttherewaseternaltruth.
JESUSANDPILATEBARABBAS(John18:2840John19:116continued)
(ii)LastofalltherewasBarabbaswhoseepisodeJohntellsverybrieflyindeed.Of
thecustomoffreeingaprisoneratPassoverweknownothingmorethanthegospels
tellus.TheothergospelstosomeextentfilloutJohn'sbriefpictureandwhenweput
allourinformationtogetherwefindthatBarabbaswasanotableprisoner,abrigand,
whohadtakenpartinacertaininsurrectioninthecityandhadcommittedmurder
(Matthew27:1526Mark15:615Luke23:1725Acts3:14).
ThenameBarabbasisinteresting.Therearetwopossibilitiesastoitsderivation.It
maybecompoundedofBarAbbawhichwouldmean"sonofthefather,"oritmaybe
compoundedofBarRabban,whichwouldmean"sonoftheRabbi."Itisnot
impossiblethatBarabbaswasthesonofsomeRabbi,ascionofsomenoblefamily
whohadgonewronganditmaywellbethat,criminalthoughhewas,hewaspopular
withthepeopleasakindofRobinHoodcharacter.Itiscertainlytruethatwemust
notthinkofBarabbasasasneakthief,orapettypilferer,oraburglar.Hewasa
lestes(Greek#3027),whichmeansabrigand.Eitherhewasoneofthewarrior
brigandswhoinfestedtheJerichoroad,thekindofmanintowhosehandsthe
travellerintheparablefellor,perhapsevenmoreprobable,hewasoneofthe
ZealotswhohadsworntoridPalestineoftheRomans,evenifitmeantacareerof
murder,robbery,assassinationandcrime.Barabbaswasnopettycriminal.Amanof
violencehemightbe,buthisviolencewasthekindwhichmightwellhavearomance
andaglamouraboutitandmakehimthepopularheroofthecrowdandthedespair
ofthelawatoneandthesametime.
ThereisastillmoreinterestingthingaboutBarabbas.Itisasecondnameandthere
musthavebeenafirstname,justas,forinstance,PeterhadbeenSimonbarJonah,
SimonthesonofJonah.NowtherearecertainancientGreekmanuscripts,and
certainSyrianandArmeniantranslationsoftheNewTestamentwhichactuallygive
thenameofBarabbasasJesus.Thatisbynomeansimpossible,becauseinthose
daysJesuswasacommonname,beingtheGreekformofJoshua.Ifso,thechoice
ofthecrowdwasevenmoredramatic,fortheywereshouting:"NotJesusthe
Nazarene,butJesusBarabbas."
Thechoiceofthemobhasbeentheeternalchoice.Barabbaswasthemanofforce
andblood,themanwhochosetoreachhisendbyviolentmeans.Jesuswasthe
manofloveandofgentleness,whosekingdomwasintheheartsofmen.Itisthe
tragicfactofhistorythatallthroughtheagesmenhavechosenthewayofBarabbas
andrefusedthewayofJesus.
WhathappenedtoBarabbasnomanknowsbutJohnOxenhaminoneofhisbooks
hasanimaginarypictureofhim.AtfirstBarabbascouldthinkofnothingbuthis
freedomthenhebegantolookatthemanwhohaddiedthathemightlive.
SomethingaboutJesusfascinatedhimandhefollowedhimouttoseetheend.As
hesawJesusbearinghisCross,onethoughtburnedintohismind:"Ishouldhave
beencarryingthatCross,nothe.Hesavedme!"AndashesawJesushangingon
Calvary,theonlythingofwhichhecouldthinkwas:"Ishouldhavebeenhanging
there,nothe.Hesavedme!"Itmaybeso,oritmaynotbesobutcertainly
BarabbaswasoneofthesinnersJesusdiedtosave.
NoteOnTheDateOfTheCrucifixion(John19:14)
Thereisonegreatprobleminthefourthgospelwhichwedidnottakenoteofatall
whenwewerestudyingit.Herewecannoteitonlyverybriefly,foritisreallyan

unsolvedproblemonwhichtheliteratureisimmense.
Itisquitecertainthatthefourthgospelandtheotherthreegivedifferentdatesforthe
Crucifixion,andtakedifferentviewsofwhatthelastmealtogetherwas.
IntheSynopticgospelsitisclearthattheLastSupperwasthePassoverandthat
JesuswascrucifiedonPassoverDay.ItmustberememberedthattheJewishday
beganat6p.m.onwhattousisthedaybefore.ThePassoverfellon15thNisan
but15thNisanbeganonwhattousis14thNisanat6p.m.Markseemstobequite
clearhesays:"Andonthefirstdayofunleavenedbread,whentheysacrificedthe
passover,hisdisciplessaiduntohim,Wherewillyouhaveusgoandprepareforyou
toeatthepassover?"Jesusgivestheminstructions.ThenMarkgoeson:"Andthey
preparedthepassover,andwhenitwaseveninghecamewiththetwelve."(Mark
14:1217)UndoubtedlyMarkwishedtoshowtheLastSupperasaPassovermeal
andthatJesuswascrucifiedonPassoverdayandMatthewandLukefollowMark.
OntheotherhandJohnisquiteclearthatJesuswascrucifiedonthedaybeforethe
passover.Hebeginshisstoryofthelastmeal:"Nowbeforethefeastofthe
Passover..."(John13:1).WhenJudaslefttheupperroom,theythoughthehadgone
toprepareforthePassover(John13:29).TheJewswouldnotenterthejudgmenthall
lesttheyshouldbecomeuncleanandbepreventedfromeatingthePassover(John
18:28).ThejudgmentisduringthepreparationforthePassover(John19:14).
Thereishereacontradictionforwhichthereisnocompromisesolution.Eitherthe
SynopticgospelsarecorrectorJohnis.Scholarsaremuchdivided.Butitseems
mostlikelythattheSynopticsarecorrect.Johnwasalwayslookingforhidden
meanings.InhisstoryJesusiscrucifiedassomewherenearthesixthhour(John
19:14).ItwasjustthenthatintheTemplethePassoverlambswerebeingkilled.By
farthelikeliestthingisthatJohndatedthingsinorderthatJesuswouldbecrucified
atexactlythesametimeasthePassoverlambswerebeingkilled,sothathemight
beseenasthegreatPassoverLambwhosavedhispeopleandtookawaythesins
oftheworld.ItseemsthattheSynopticgospelsarerightintact,whileJohnisrightin
truthandJohnwasalwaysmoreinterestedineternaltruththaninmerehistoricfact.
Thereisnofullexplanationofthisobviousdiscrepancybutthisseemstousthe
best.
THEWAYTOTHECROSS(John19:1722)
19:1722SotheytookJesus,andhe,carryinghisCrossfor
himself,wentouttotheplacethatiscalledthePlaceofaSkull,
whichiscalledinHebrewGolgotha.Theycrucifiedhimthere,
andwithhimtheycrucifiedtwoothers,oneoneitherside,and
Jesusinthemiddle.Pilatewroteatitle,andputitontheCross.
Onitwaswritten:"JesusofNazareth,theKingoftheJews."
ManyoftheJewsreadthistitle,becausetheplacewhereJesus
wascrucifiedwasnearthecityanditwaswritteninHebrew,in
LatinandinGreek.Sothechiefpriestsrepeatedlysaidto
Pilate:"Donotwrite,'TheKingoftheJews.'Butwrite,'HesaidI
amtheKingoftheJews.'"Pilateanswered:"WhatIhave
written,Ihavewritten."
Therewasnomoreterribledeaththandeathbycrucifixion.EventheRomans
themselvesregardeditwithashudderofhorror.Cicerodeclaredthatitwas"the
mostcruelandhorrifyingdeath."Tacitussaidthatitwasa"despicabledeath."Itwas
originallyaPersianmethodofexecution.Itmayhavebeenusedbecause,tothe
Persians,theearthwassacred,andtheywishedtoavoiddefilingitwiththebodyof
anevildoer.Sotheynailedhimtoacrossandlefthimtodiethere,lookingtothe
vulturesandthecarrioncrowstocompletethework.TheCarthaginianstookover
crucifixionfromthePersiansandtheRomanslearneditfromtheCarthaginians.
Crucifixionwasneverusedasamethodofexecutioninthehomeland,butonlyinthe
provinces,andthereonlyinthecaseofslaves.ItwasunthinkablethataRoman
citizenshoulddiesuchadeath.Cicerosays:"ItisacrimeforaRomancitizentobe
bounditisaworsecrimeforhimtobebeatenitiswellnighparricideforhimtobe
killedwhatamItosayifhebekilledonacross?Anefariousactionsuchasthatis

incapableofdescriptionbyanyword,forthereisnonefittodescribeit."Itwasthat
death,themostdreadedintheancientworld,thedeathofslavesandcriminals,that
Jesusdied.
Theroutineofcrucifixionwasalwaysthesame.Whenthecasehadbeenheardand
thecriminalcondemned,thejudgeutteredthefatefulsentence:"Ibisadcrucem,"
"Youwillgotothecross."Theverdictwascarriedoutthereandthen.The
condemnedmanwasplacedinthecentreofaquaternion,acompanyoffourRoman
soldiers.Hisowncrosswasplaceduponhisshoulders.Scourgingalwayspreceded
crucifixionanditistoberememberedhowterriblescourgingwas.Oftenthecriminal
hadtobelashedandgoadedalongtheroad,tokeephimonhisfeet,ashe
staggeredtotheplaceofcrucifixion.Beforehimwalkedanofficerwithaplacardon
whichwaswrittenthecrimeforwhichhewastodieandhewasledthroughasmany
streetsaspossibleonthewaytoexecution.Therewasadoublereasonforthat.
Therewasthegrimreasonthatasmanyaspossibleshouldseeandtakewarning
fromhisfate.Buttherewasamercifulreason.Theplacardwascarriedbeforethe
condemnedmanandthelongroutewaschosen,sothatifanyonecouldstillbear
witnessinhisfavour,hemightcomeforwardanddoso.Insuchacase,the
processionwashattedandthecaseretried.
InJerusalemtheplaceofexecutionwascalledThePlaceofaSkull,inAramaic,
Golgotha(Greek#1115andHebrew#1538).(CalvaryistheLatinforthePlaceofa
Skull.)Itmusthavebeenoutsidethecitywalls,foritwasnotlawfultocrucifyaman
withintheboundariesofthecity.Whereitwaswedonotcertainlyknow.
Morethanonereasonhasbeenputforwardforthestrange,grimname,'ThePlaceof
aSkull.'ThereisalegendthatitwassocalledbecausetheskullofAdamwas
buriedthere.Thereisasuggestionthatitwasbecauseitwaslitteredwiththeskulls
ofcrucifiedcriminals.Thatisnotlikely.ByRomanlawacriminalmusthangupon
hiscrossuntilhediedfromhungerandthirstandexposure,atorturewhich
sometimeslastedfordaysbutbyJewishlawthebodymustbetakendownand
buriedbynightfall.InRomanlawthecriminal'sbodywasnotburiedbutsimply
thrownawayforthevulturesandthecrowsandthepariahdogstodisposeofbut
thatwouldhavebeenquiteillegalunderJewishlawandnoJewishplacewouldbe
litteredwithskulls.Itismuchmorelikelythattheplacereceiveditsnamebecauseit
wasonahillshapedlikeaskull.Inanyeventitwasagrimnameforaplacewhere
grimthingsweredone.
SoJesuswentout,bruisedandbleeding,hisfleshtorntoribbonsbythescourging,
carryinghisownCrosstotheplacewherehewastodie.
THEWAYTOTHECROSS(John19:1722continued)
Inthispassagetherearetwofurtherthingswemustnote.TheinscriptiononJesus'
CrosswasinHebrew,inLatinandinGreek.Thesewerethethreegreatlanguagesof
theancientworldandtheystoodforthreegreatnations.IntheeconomyofGod
everynationhassomethingtoteachtheworldandthesethreestoodforthreegreat
contributionstotheworldandtoworldhistory.Greecetaughttheworldbeautyof
formandofthoughtRometaughttheworldlawandgoodgovernmenttheHebrews
taughttheworldreligionandtheworshipofthetrueGod.Theconsummationofall
thesethingsisseeninJesus.Inhimwasthesupremebeautyandthehighest
thoughtofGod.InhimwasthelawofGodandthekingdomofGod.Inhimwasthe
veryimageofGod.Alltheworld'sseekingsandstrivingsfoundtheirconsummation
inhim.Itwassymbolicthatthethreegreatlanguagesoftheworldshouldcallhim
king.
ThereisnodoubtthatPilateputthisinscriptionontheCrossofJesustoirritateand
annoytheJews.TheyhadjustsaidthattheyhadnokingbutCaesartheyhadjust
absolutelyrefusedtohaveJesusastheirking.AndPilate,bywayofagrimjest,put
thisinscriptiononhisCross.TheJewishleadersrepeatedlyaskedhimtoremoveit
andPilaterefused."WhatIhavewritten,"hesaid,"Ihavewritten."HereisPilatethe
inflexible,themanwhowillnotyieldaninch.Soveryshortatimebefore,thissame
manhadbeenweaklyvacillatingastowhethertocrucifyJesusortolethimgoand
intheendhadallowedhimselftobebulliedandblackmailedintogivingtheJews
theirwill.Adamantabouttheinscription,hehadbeenweakaboutthecrucifixion.

Itisoneoftheparadoxicalthingsinlifethatwecanbestubbornaboutthingswhich
donotmatterandweakaboutthingsofsupremeimportance.IfPilatehadonly
withstoodtheblackmailingtacticsoftheJewsandhadrefusedtobecoercedinto
givingthemtheirwillwithJesus,hemighthavegonedowninhistoryasoneofits
great,strongmen.Butbecauseheyieldedontheimportantthingandstoodfirmon
theunimportant,hisnameisanameofshame.Pilatewasthemanwhotookastand
onthewrongthingsandtoolate.
THEGAMBLERSATTHECROSS(John19:2324)
19:2324WhenthesoldiershadcrucifiedJesus,theytookhis
clothes,andtheydividedthemintofourparts,apartforeach
soldierandtheytookhistunic.Itwasatunicwhichhadno
seam,woventhroughoutinonepiecefromthetop.Theysaidto
eachother:"Don'tlet'scutitup,butletuscastlotsforit,and
settlethatwaywhowillhaveit."Thishappenedthatthe
passageofscripturewhichsays,"Theydividedmyclothes
amongthemselves,andtheycastlotsformyraiment,"mightbe
fulfilled.So,then,thatiswhatthesoldiersdid.
Wehavealreadyseenthatacriminalwasescortedtotheplaceofexecutionbya
quaternionoffoursoldiers.Oneoftheperquisitesofthesesoldierswastheclothes
ofthevictim.EveryJewworefivearticlesofapparelhisshoes,histurban,his
girdle,histunic,andhisouterrobe.Therewerefoursoldiers,andtherewerefive
articles.Theydicedforthem,eachhadhispickandtheinnertunicwasleft.Itwas
seamless,wovenallinonepiece.Tohavecutitintofourpieceswouldhavebeento
renderituseless,andsotheydicedagaintoseewhowouldpossessit.Thereare
manythingsinthisvividpicture.
(i)StuddertKennedyhasapoembasedonit.Thesoldiersweregamblersandsoin
asensewasJesus.HestakedeverythingonhisutterfidelitytoGodhestaked
everythingontheCross.Thiswashislastandgreatestappealtomen,hislastand
greatestactofobediencetowardsGod.
"And,sittingdown,theywatchedhimthere,
Thesoldiersdid
There,whiletheyplayedatdice,
Hemadehissacrifice,
AnddieduponhisCrosstorid
God'sworldofsin.
Hewasagambler,too,myChrist.
Hetookhislifeandthrew
Itforaworldredeemed.
Anderetheagonywasdone,
Beforethewesteringsunwentdown,
Crowningthatdaywithitscrimsoncrown,
Heknewthathehadwon."
ThereisasenseinwhicheveryChristianisagambler,foreveryChristianmust
ventureforhisname.
(ii)NopicturesoshowstheindifferenceoftheworldtoChrist.ThereontheCross
JesuswasdyinginagonyandthereatthefootoftheCrossthesoldiersthrewtheir
diceasifitdidnotmatter.AnartistpaintedChriststandingwithnailpiercedhands
outstretchedinamoderncity,whilethecrowdssurgeby.Notoneofthemiseven

sparinghimalook,exceptonlyayounghospitalnurseandbeneaththepicturethere
isthequestion:"Isitnothingtoyouallyouwhopassby?"(Lamentations1:12).The
tragedyisnotthehostilityoftheworldtoChristthetragedyistheworld's
indifferencewhichtreatstheloveofGodasifitdidnotmatter.
(iii)Therearetwofurtherpointswhichwemustnoteinthispicture.Thereisalegend
thatMaryherselfhadwoventheseamlesstunicandgivenitasalastgifttoherson
whenhewentoutintotheworld.Ifthatbetrueanditmaywellbe,foritwasa
customofJewishmotherstodojustthatthereisadoublepoignancyinthepicture
oftheseinsensitivesoldiersgamblingforthetunicofJesuswhichwashismother's
gift.
(iv)Butthereissomethinghalfhiddenhere.Jesus'tunicisdescribedasbeing
withoutseam,woveninonepiecefromtoptobottom.Thatistheprecisedescription
ofthelinentunicwhichtheHighPriestwore.Letusrememberthatthefunctionof
thepriestwastobetheliaisonbetweenGodandman.TheLatinforpriestis
pontifex,whichmeansbridgebuilder,andthepriestwastobuildabridgebetween
Godandman.NooneeverdidthatasJesusdid.HeistheperfectHighPriest
throughwhommencometoGod.Againandagainwehaveseenthattherearetwo
meaningsinsomanyofJohn'sstatements,ameaningwhichliesonthesurface,
andadeeperinnermeaning.WhenJohntellsusoftheseamlesstunicofJesusitis
notjustadescriptionofthekindofclothesthatJesusworeitissomethingwhich
tellsusthatJesusistheperfectpriest,openingtheperfectwayforallmentothe
presenceofGod.
(v)LastlywenotethatinthisincidentJohnfindsafulfilmentofOldTestament
prophecy.HereadsbackintoitthesayingofthePsalmist:"Theydividemy
garmentsamongthem,andformyraimenttheycastlots"(Psalms22:18).
ASON'SLOVE(John19:2527)
19:2527Buthismother,andhismother'ssister,andMarythe
wifeofClopas,andMaryfromMagdala,stoodneartheCrossof
Jesus.SoJesussawhismother,andhesawthedisciplewhom
helovedstandingby,andhesaidtohismother:"Woman!See!
Yourson."Thenhesaidtothedisciple:"See!Yourmother!"
Andfromthathourthediscipletookherintohisownhome.
IntheendJesuswasnotabsolutelyalone.AthisCrosstherewerethesefour
womenwholovedhim.Somecommentatorsexplaintheirpresencetherebysaying
thatinthosedayswomenweresounimportantthatnooneevertookanynoticeof
womendisciples,andthatthereforethesewomenwererunningnoriskatallbybeing
neartheCrossofJesus.Thatsurelyisapoorandunworthyexplanation.Itwas
alwaysadangerousthingtobeanassociateofamanwhomtheRomangovernment
believedtobesodangerousthathedeservedaCross.Itisalwaysadangerous
thingtodemonstrateone'sloveforsomeonewhomtheorthodoxregardasaheretic.
ThepresenceofthesewomenattheCrosswasnotduetothefactthattheywereso
unimportantthatnoonewouldnoticethemtheirpresencewasduetothefactthat
perfectlovecastsoutfear.
Theyareastrangecompany.Ofone,MarythewifeofClopas,weknownothingbut
weknowsomethingoftheotherthree.
(i)TherewasMary,Jesus'mother.Maybeshecouldnotunderstand,butshecould
love.Herpresencetherewasthemostnaturalthingintheworldforamother.Jesus
mightbeacriminalintheeyesofthelaw,buthewasherson.AsKiplinghadit:
"IfIwerehangedonthehighesthill,
Mothero'mine,Omothero'mine!
Iknowwhoselovewouldfollowmestill,
Mothero'mine,Omothero'mine!
IfIweredrownedinthedeepestsea,

Mothero'mine,Omothero'mine!
Iknowwhosetearswouldcomedowntome,
Mothero'mine,Omothero'mine!
IfIweredamnedofbodyandsoul,
Iknowwhoseprayerswouldmakemewhole,
Mothero'mine,Omothero'mine!"
TheeternalloveofmotherhoodisinMaryattheCross.
(ii)TherewasJesus'mother'ssister.InJohnsheisnotnamed,butastudyofthe
parallelpassages(Mark15:40Matthew27:56)makesitquiteclearthatshewas
Salome,themotherofJamesandJohn.Thestrangethingaboutheristhatshehad
receivedfromJesusaverydefiniteandsternrebuff.OnceshehadcometoJesusto
askhimtogivehersonsthechiefplaceinhiskingdom(Matthew20:20),andJesus
hadtaughtherhowwrongsuchambitiousthoughtswere.Salomewasthewomanhe
hadrebukedandyetshewasthereattheCross.Herpresencesaysmuchforher
andforJesus.Itshowsthatshehadthehumilitytoacceptrebukeandtoloveon
withundiminisheddevotionitshowsthathecouldrebukeinsuchawaythathislove
shonethroughtherebuke.Salome'spresenceisalessontousonhowtogiveand
howtoreceivearebuke.
(ii)TherewasMaryfromMagdala.AllweknowaboutheristhatoutofherJesus
castsevendevils(Mark16:9Luke8:2).ShecouldneverforgetwhatJesushad
doneforher.Hislovehadrescuedher,andherlovewassuchthatitcouldneverdie.
ItwasMary'smotto,writtenonherheart:"Iwillnotforgetwhathehasdoneforme."
Butinthispassagethereissomethingwhichissurelyoneoftheloveliestthingsin
allthegospelstory.WhenJesussawhismother,hecouldnotbutthinkofthedays
ahead.Hecouldnotcommithertothecareofhisbrothers,fortheydidnotbelievein
himyet(John7:5).And,afterall,Johnhadadoublequalificationfortheservice
JesusentrustedtohimhewasJesus'cousin,beingSalome'sson,andhewasthe
disciplewhomJesusloved.SoJesuscommittedMarytoJohn'scareandJohnto
Mary's,sothattheyshouldcomforteachother'slonelinesswhenhewasgone.
ThereissomethinginfinitelymovinginthefactthatJesusintheagonyoftheCross,
whenthesalvationoftheworldhunginthebalance,thoughtofthelonelinessofhis
motherinthedaysahead.Heneverforgotthedutiesthatlaytohishand.Hewas
Mary'seldestson,andeveninthemomentofhiscosmicbattle,hedidnotforgetthe
simplethingsthatlaynearhome.Totheendoftheday,evenontheCross,Jesus
wasthinkingmoreofthesorrowsofothersthanofhisown.
THETRIUMPHANTENDING(John19:2830)
19:2830Afterthat,whenJesusknewthateverythingwas
completed,hesaid,inorderthatthescripturemightbefulfilled:
"Ithirst."Therewasavesselstandingtherefullofvinegar.So
theyputaspongesoakedinvinegaronahyssopreed,andput
ittohismouth.Whenhehadreceivedthevinegar,Jesussaid
"Itisfinished."Andheleanedhisheadback,andgaveuphis
spirit.
InthispassageJohnbringsusfacetofacewithtwothingsaboutJesus.
(i)HebringsusfacetofacewithhishumansufferingwhenJesuswasontheCross,
heknewtheagonyofthirst.WhenJohnwaswritinghisgospel,roundaboutA.D.
100,acertaintendencyhadariseninreligiousandphilosophicalthought,called
gnosticism.Oneofitsgreattenetswasthatspiritwasaltogethergoodandmatter
altogetherevil.Certainconclusionsfollowed.OnewasthatGod,whowaspurespirit,
couldnevertakeuponhimselfabody,becausethatwasmatter,andmatterwasevil.
TheythereforetaughtthatJesusneverhadarealbody.Theysaidthathewasonlya
phantom.Theysaid,forinstance,thatwhenJesuswalked,hisfeetleftnoprintson
theground,becausehewaspurespiritinaphantombody.

TheywentontoarguethatGodcouldneverreallysuffer,andthatthereforeJesus
neverreallysufferedbutwentthroughthewholeexperienceoftheCrosswithoutany
realpain.WhentheGnosticsthoughtlikethat,theybelievedtheywerehonouring
GodandhonouringJesusbuttheywerereallydestroyingJesus.Ifhewaseverto
redeemman,hemustbecomeman.Hehadtobecomewhatweareinordertomake
uswhatheis.ThatiswhyJohnstressesthefactthatJesusfeltthirsthewishedto
showthathewasreallyhumanandreallyunderwenttheagonyoftheCross.John
goesoutofhiswaytostresstherealhumanityandtherealsufferingofJesus.
(ii)But,equally,hebringsusfacetofacewiththetriumphofJesus.Whenwe
comparethefourgospelswefindamostilluminatingthing.Theotherthreedonot
tellusthatJesussaid,"Itisfinished."Buttheydotellusthathediedwithagreat
shoutuponhislips(Matthew27:50Mark15:37Luke23:46).Ontheotherhand,
Johndoesnotspeakofthegreatcry,butdoessaythatJesus'lastwordswere,"Itis
finished."Theexplanationisthatthegreatshoutandthewords,"Itisfinished,"are
oneandthesamething."Itisfinished"isonewordinGreektetelestai(Greek
#5055)andJesusdiedwithashoutoftriumphonhislips.Hedidnotsay,"Itis
finished,"inwearydefeathesaiditasonewhoshoutsforjoybecausethevictoryis
won.HeseemedtobebrokenontheCross,butheknewthathisvictorywaswon.
Thelastsentenceofthispassagemakesthethingevenclearer.Johnsaysthat
Jesusleanedbackhisheadandgaveuphisspirit.Johnusesthewordwhichmight
beusedforsettlingbackuponapillow.ForJesusthestrifewasoverandthebattle
waswonandevenontheCrossheknewthejoyofvictoryandtherestoftheman
whohascompletedhistaskandcanleanback,contentandatpeace.
Twofurtherthingswemustnoticeinthispassage,JohntracesbackJesus'cry,"I
thirst,"tothefulfilmentofaverseintheOldTestament.HeisthinkingofPsalms
69:21."Theygavemepoisonforfood,andformythirsttheygavemevinegarto
drink."
ThesecondthingisanotherofJohn'shiddenthings.Hetellsusthatitwasona
hyssopreedthattheyputthespongecontainingthevinegar.Nowahyssopreedis
anunlikelythingtouseforsuchapurpose,foritwasonlyastalk,likestronggrass,
andatthemosttwofeetlong.Sounlikelyisitthatsomescholarshavethoughtthat
itisamistakeforaverysimilarwordwhichmeansalanceoraspear.Butitwas
hyssopwhichJohnwroteandhyssopwhichJohnmeant.Whenwegocenturies
backtothefirstPassoverwhenthechildrenofIsraellefttheirslaveryinEgypt,we
rememberhowtheangelofdeathwastowalkabroadthatnightandtoslayevery
firstbornsonoftheEgyptians.WerememberhowtheIsraelitesweretoslaythe
Passoverlambandweretosmearthedoorpostsoftheirhouseswithitsbloodso
thattheavengingangelofdeathwouldpassovertheirhouses.Andtheancient
instructionwas:"Takeabunchofhyssopanddipitinthebloodwhichisinthe
basin,andtouchthelintelandthetwodoorpostswiththebloodwhichisinthebasin"
(Exodus12:22).ItwasthebloodofthePassoverlambwhichsavedthepeopleof
GoditwasthebloodofJesuswhichwastosavetheworldfromsin.Thevery
mentionofhyssopwouldtakethethoughtsofanyJewbacktothesavingbloodof
thePassoverlambandthiswasJohn'swayofsayingthatJesuswasthegreat
PassoverLambofGodwhosedeathwastosavethewholeworldfromsin.
THEWATERANDTHEBLOOD(John19:3137)
19:3137Sinceitwasthedayofpreparation,sothatthebodies
shouldnotremainonthecrossontheSabbath(forthatSabbath
wasaveryimportantday)theJewsaskedPilatetobreaktheir
limbs,andtohavethebodiesremoved.Sothesoldierscame,
andtheybrokethelimbsofthefirstcriminal,andoftheother
whohadbeencrucifiedwithhim.WhentheycametoJesus,
andwhentheysawthathewasalreadydead,theydidnotbreak
hislimbs.Butoneofthesoldierspiercedhissidewithaspear,
andimmediatelywaterandbloodcameforth.Andhewhosawit
isawitnesstothis,andhiswordistrue.Andheknowsthathe
isspeakingthetruth,thatyoualsomaybelieve.Thesethings
happenedthatthepassageofscripturewhichsays:"Hisbone
shallnotbebroken,"shouldbefulfilled.Andagainanother
passagesays:"Theyshallseehimwhomtheyhavepierced."

InonethingtheJewsweremoremercifulthantheRomans.WhentheRomans
carriedoutcrucifixionundertheirowncustoms,thevictimwassimplylefttodieon
thecross.Hemighthangfordaysintheheatofthemiddaysunandthecoldofthe
night,torturedbythirstandtorturedalsobythegnatsandthefliescrawlinginthe
wealsonhistornback.Oftenmendiedravingmadontheircrosses.Nordidthe
Romansburythebodiesofcrucifiedcriminals.Theysimplytookthemdownandlet
thevulturesandthecrowsandthedogsfeeduponthem.
TheJewishlawwasdifferent.Itlaiditdown:"Ifamanhascommittedacrime
punishablebydeath,andheisputtodeath,andyouhanghimonatree,hisbody
shallnotremainallnightuponthetree,butyoushallburyhimthesameday"
(Deuteronomy21:2223).TheMishnah,theJewishscriballaw,laiddown:"Everyone
whoallowsthedeadtoremainovernighttransgressesapositivecommand."The
Sanhedrinactuallywaschargedtohavetwoburyingplacesreadyforthosewhohad
sufferedthedeathpenaltyandwerenottobeburiedintheburyingplaceoftheir
fathers.Onthisoccasionitwasevenmoreimportantthatthebodiesshouldnotbe
allowedtohangonthecrossesovernight,becausethenextdaywastheSabbath,
andtheveryspecialSabbathofthePassover.
Agrimmethodwasusedtodespatchcriminalswholingeredon.Theirlimbswere
smashedwithamallet.Thatwasdonetothecriminalswhowerecrucifiedwith
Jesus,butmercifullyhewassparedthat,forhewasalreadydead.Johnseesthat
sparingofJesusasasymbolofanotherOldTestamentpassage.Itwaslaiddownof
thePassoverlambthatnotaboneofitshouldbebroken(Numbers9:12).Once
againJohnisseeingJesusasthePassoverLambwhodelivershispeoplefrom
death.
Finallytherefollowsastrangeincident.WhenthesoldierssawthatJesuswas
alreadydeadtheydidnotbreakhislimbswiththemalletbutoneofthemitmust
havebeentomakedoublysurethatJesuswasdeadthrustaspearintohisside.
Andthereflowedoutwaterandblood.Johnattachesspecialimportancetothat.He
seesinitafulfilmentoftheprophecyinZechariah12:10:"Theylookonhimwhom
theyhavepierced."Andhegoesoutofhiswaytosaythatthisisaneyewitness
accountofwhatactuallyhappened,andthathepersonallyguaranteesthatitistrue.
Firstofall,letusaskwhatactuallyhappened.Wecannotbesurebutitmaywellbe
thatJesusdiedliterallyofabrokenheart.Normally,ofcourse,thebodyofadead
manwillnotbleed.ItissuggestedthatwhathappenedwasthatJesus'experiences,
physicalandemotional,weresoterriblethathisheartwasruptured.Whenthat
happenedthebloodoftheheartmingledwiththefluidofthepericardiumwhich
surroundstheheart.Thespearofthesoldierpiercedthepericardiumandthemingled
fluidandbloodcameforth.ItwouldbeapoignantthingtobelievethatJesus,inthe
literalsenseoftheterm,diedofabrokenheart.
Evenso,whydoesJohnstressitsomuch?Hedoessofortworeasons.
(i)Tohimitwasthefinal,unanswerableproofthatJesuswasarealmanwithareal
body.Herewastheanswertothegnosticswiththeirideasofphantomsandspirits
andanunrealmanhood.HerewasproofthatJesuswasboneofourboneandflesh
ofourflesh.
(ii)ButtoJohnthiswasmorethanaproofofthemanhoodofJesus.Itwasasymbol
ofthetwogreatsacramentsoftheChurch.Thereisonesacramentwhichisbased
onwaterbaptismandthereisonewhichisbasedonbloodtheLord'sSupperwith
itscupofbloodredwine.Thewaterofbaptismisthesignofthecleansinggraceof
GodinJesusChristthewineoftheLord'sSupperisthesymbolofthebloodwhich
wasshedtosavemenfromtheirsins.Thewaterandthebloodwhichflowedfrom
thesideofChristweretoJohnthesignofthecleansingwaterofbaptismandthe
cleansingbloodcommemoratedandexperiencedintheLord'sSupper.AsToplady
wrote:
"Rockofages,cleftforme,
Letmehidemyselfinthee
Letthewaterandtheblood,

Fromthyrivensidewhichflowed,
Beofsinthedoublecure,
Cleansemefromitsguiltandpower."
THELASTGIFTSTOJESUS(John19:3842)
19:3842Afterthat,JosephfromArimathaea,whobecauseof
fearoftheJewswasasecretdiscipleofJesus,askedPilateto
beallowedtotakeawayJesus'body,andPilategavehim
permissiontodoso.Sohecameandtookhisbodyaway.
Nicodemus,whofirstcametoJesusbynight,cametoo,
bringingamixtureofmyrrhandaloes,aboutahundredpounds
inweight.SotheytookJesus'bodyandtheywrappeditinlinen
clotheswithspices,asitistheJewishcustomtolayabodyin
thetomb.Therewasagardenintheplacewherehewas
crucifiedandinthegardentherewasanewtombinwhichno
onehadeverbeenlaid.SotheylaidJesusthere,becauseit
wasthedayofpreparationfortheSabbath,becausethetomb
wasnearathand.
SoJesusdied,andwhathadtobedonenowmustbedonequickly,fortheSabbath
wasalmostbegunandontheSabbathnoworkcouldbedone.ThefriendsofJesus
werepoorandcouldnothavegivenhimafittingburialbuttwopeoplecameforward.
JosephofArimathaeawasone.HehadalwaysbeenadiscipleofJesushewasa
greatmanandamemberoftheSanhedrin,anduptonowhehadkepthis
discipleshipsecretforhewasafraidtomakeitknown.Nicodemuswastheother.It
wastheJewishcustomtowrapthebodiesofthedeadinlinenclothesandtoput
sweetspicesbetweenthefoldsofthelinen.Nicodemusbroughtenoughspicesfor
theburialofaking.SoJosephgavetoJesusatombandNicodemusgavehimthe
clothestowearwithinthetomb.
Thereisbothtragedyandgloryhere.
(i)Thereistragedy.BothNicodemusandJosephweremembersoftheSanhedrin,
buttheyweresecretdisciplesofJesus.Eithertheyhadabsentedthemselvesfrom
themeetingoftheSanhedrinwhichexaminedhimandformulatedthechargeagainst
him,ortheyhadsatsilentthroughitall.Whatadifferenceitwouldhavemadeto
Jesus,if,amongthesecondemning,hectoringvoices,onevoicehadbeenraisedin
hissupport.Whatadifferenceitwouldhavemadetoseeloyaltyononefaceamidst
thatseaofbleak,envenomedfaces.ButNicodemusandJosephwereafraid.
Wesooftenleaveourtributesuntilpeoplearedead.Howmuchgreaterwouldloyalty
inlifehavebeenthananewtombandashroudfitforaking.Oneflowerinlifeis
worthallthewreathsintheworldindeathonewordofloveandpraiseandthanksin
lifeisworthallthepanegyricsintheworldwhenlifeisgone.
(ii)Butthereisgloryhere,too.ThedeathofJesushaddoneforJosephand
Nicodemuswhatnotevenhislifecoulddo.NosoonerhadJesusdiedontheCross
thanJosephforgothisfearandbeardedtheRomangovernorwitharequestforthe
body.NosoonerhadJesusdiedontheCrossthanNicodemuswastheretobringa
tributethatallmencouldsee.Thecowardice,thehesitation,theprudent
concealmentweregone.ThosewhohadbeenafraidwhenJesuswasalivedeclared
forhiminawaythateveryonecouldseeassoonashewasdead.Jesushadnot
beendeadanhourwhenhisownprophecycametrue:"IwhenIbeliftedupfromthe
earthwilldrawallmentomyself"(John12:32).Itmaybethatthesilenceof
NicodemusorhisabsencefromtheSanhedrinbroughtsorrowtoJesusbutitis
certainthatheknewofthewayinwhichtheycasttheirfearasideaftertheCross,
anditiscertainthatalreadyhisheartwasglad,foralreadythepoweroftheCross
hadbeguntooperate,andalreadyitwasdrawingallmentohim.Thepowerofthe
Crosswaseventhenturningthecowardintothehero,andthewavererintotheman
whotookanirrevocabledecisionforChrist.
Barclay'sDailyStudyBible(NT)

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BibliographyInformation
Barclay,William."Commentaryonjohn19"."WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudyBible".
"http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/print.cgi?bk=42&ch=19&vs=1".1956
1959.
20012015,StudyLight.org
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