Sunday School Lessons

JUNE 16, 2019

THE CRUCIFIXION (PART II CONT.)

INTRODUCTION:

1. We have noted how carefully John in his record of the crucifixion documents the fulfillment of numerous prophetic words. This is in keeping with Christ’s own careful attention to prophetic detail.
2. John continued with his documentation after our Lord died. In this two-part lesson we are considering some of the predictions that were fulfilled post-death. One was fulfilled while our Lord was still on the cross (last week’s lesson), and others after He was removed from the cross.

I. THE PIERCING OF CHRIST’S SIDE. (VERSES 31-37) This John exclusively records, citing Zech. 12:10 as the prophetic prediction of this strange action by a Roman soldier; and also applying the meaning of the prophecy.

II. THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. (VERSES 38-42) We have here John’s account of the burial of the blessed body of our Lord. The funerals of great men are usually attended and looked upon with great curiosity. The funeral of Jesus Christ was most extraordinary. Never was there one like it. We see here the burial that conquered the grave, and shared the victory with all the faithful.

A. OUR LORD’S BODY WAS BEGGED FOR BY JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA. (VERSE 38)
1. Of this man, no mention is made at all except in the narrative which each of the Gospel writers gives us of Christ’s burial.
2. Though clearly a man of some prominence (see Matt. 25:57; Mark 15:43; Luke 43:50), he was unknown to the Gospel writers as a disciple because he kept his faith a secret up until he witnessed the crucifixion.
a) He was a disciple incognito – a better friend to Christ than he was willing to make known. It was his honor to be a disciple of Christ, and there are some such as he, that are great men, and unavoidably linked with bad men. Nevertheless it was his weakness that he kept his faith secret. Though he had opposed his fellow counselors regarding their deed (Luke 23:51), he should have confessed Christ openly, even if it had cost him his preferment.
b) His love for Christ proved to be genuine in that when the potential cost was the greatest, he, in a very bold action, made his faith known. Some, who in lesser trials were timorous, have proved in greater to be courageous. Fear of the Jews had kept him silent before, but now by this bold action, he confessed his allegiance to Christ, not only before the Jewish leaders, but Pilate who had ordered His crucifixion.
3. He, by his access to Pilate, was able to obtain permission to take possession of Christ’s body.
a) Jesus’ mother and relatives had no such access, and were perhaps afraid to come near. They had been at some point (after Verses 25, 26) removed from the scene. (Compare Matt. 27:55, 56) The disciples were gone.
b) If nobody appeared, the Jews or soldiers would bury Him with the thieves. Therefore, God raised up this gentleman to interpose, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled, and that all things might be suitable for His approaching resurrection.

B. THE EMBALMING WAS PREPARED BY NICODEMUS. (VERSE 39)
1. Nicodemus was another prominent person and also a member of the council. He was, like Joseph of Arimathea, a non-public believer. He too had opposed the proceedings of the other members of the Sanhedrin against Christ. (See Ch. 7:50, 51) He first came to Jesus by night. (John 3:1,2) In his interview he was apparently enquiring for others besides himself, for he said, “We know…” Perhaps this Joseph was one who shared his thinking even then. We must wonder why these two fellow council members did not speak up sooner. They were clearly opposed to this wickedness. Begging for Jesus’ life would have been better than begging for His body. But, of course, we know the answer: Christ would have none of His followers, whether public or secret, to interfere with the fulfilling of His mission.
2. The kindness that Nicodemus showed was considerable and also costly. It may be that these two men agreed together in this matter. While Joseph was procuring the grant, Nicodemus was preparing the spices and this for expediency sake, because they were pressed for time.
3. Some have suggested that these actions show a weakness in their faith. Had they believed that Christ would come forth from the grave alive in three days there was no need to have taken such care. However, we may plainly see in it the strength of their love. Hereby they showed the value they had for His person and doctrine, and that it was not diminished by the reproach of the cross.
4. These two rich men were fulfilling Scripture, seeing to it that “He made his grave…with the rich in his death.” (Isa. 53:9)

C. THE PREPARATION OF CHRIST’S BODY FOR BURIAL. (VERSE 40)
1. They took Jesus body into some house where they, according to the manner of the Jews, wound it with white linen with the spices melted down. All of His garments smell of myrrh and aloes (the spices here mentioned), including His grave cloth. (Psa. 45:8) Christ’s sacrifice being to God a sweet- smelling savour, has taken away our pollution.2. In conformity to this example, we ought to have regard to the dead bodies of Christians. We should carefully deposit them in the dust as those who believe that the bodies of the saints are designed for glory and immortality in the last day. The resurrection of the saints will be in virtue of Christ’s resurrection, and therefore, in burying them we should have an eye to His burial.

D. THE SEPULCHER WHERE CHRIST WOULD BE BURIED. (VERSE 41)
1. The tomb, which belonged to Joseph of Arimathea was new, which was hewn out in the rock in a garden which belonged to him outside the city, not far from where Jesus was crucified. (See Matt. 27:60)
2. Christ was buried in a sepulcher in a garden. In the Garden of Eden death and the grave first received their power, and now in a garden they are conquered and triumphed over. Also, in a garden Christ began His passion, and from a garden He would rise and begin His exaltation.

E. THE INTERMENT. (VERSE 42)
1. This new tomb which belonged to Joseph of Arimathea was chosen for convenience, it would seem. The Jews’ preparation day was upon them; therefore they needed a place nearby for time’s sake.
2. Without pomp or solemnity, but rather hurriedly, the body of Jesus was placed in its tomb, and the stone was rolled into place to seal it. (See also Matt. 27:60; Mark 15:46)

JUNE 9, 2019

THE CRUCIFIXION (PART II)

INTRODUCTION:

1. We have before noted that Jesus in His death was not like other humans, but was unique in that He was not passive, but He was active. He was in complete control. When He knew that all things were accomplished, i.e. all prophetic Scriptures pertaining to His death were fulfilled, “he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.” Our Lord consciously and deliberately saw to it that His death left no word of prophesy hanging.
2. Yet there remained some predictions that could only be fulfilled after He was dead. Here we speak not of Christ’s resurrection, which we have in the next chapter, but things that are seen in the passage now before us.
a) The piercing of His side, which appeared to be a random act, was actually foretold by the prophet Zechariah. (Verse 37; Zech. 12:10)
b) The circumstance that gave occasion to the piercing of His side was itself because of another prophetic detail given in Psalm 22:18. (Verse 36)
c) In the account of His burial (Verses 38-42) we find that Isaiah’s prophecy came to pass. (Isa. 53:9)
3. This passage in which we find the word of Zechariah fulfilled is recorded only by John. Let us consider –

I. THE PIERCING OF CHRIST’S SIDE. (VERSES 31-39)

A. IT HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF ANOTHER OF THE JEW’S MANY SUPERSTITIONS. (VERSE 31) It was the preparation for the Sabbath, and because that Sabbath day fell in the Passover week it was a high Sabbath, and the Jews, in order to show respect for this holy day, would not let dead bodies remain on their crosses on the Sabbath day. They therefore “besought Pilate that their legs might be broken,” in order to hasten their death, so they could be removed and buried before six o’clock, which was the beginning of the Sabbath.
1. The blatant hypocrisy of these murderers is once again on display. They wished to esteem this a high Sabbath, as Passover Sabbaths were considered to be, and there needed to be more than ordinary preparation for it.
2. They thought it would be a reproach to that day if they were to leave dead bodies hanging on crosses. Dead bodies were not to be left at any time (Deut. 21:23); yet in this case, the Jews would have yielded to the Roman custom, had it not been an extraordinary day.
3. They petitioned Pilate that their deaths might be hastened, not by some merciful act, but by a most cruel method. To break the legs would cause suffocation to occur more swiftly, but what horrible pain it would add to an already cruel death. Since time was a factor, why not ask for permission to quickly end their lives with a sudden stoke of some kind? The only answer, it would seem, is that they took pleasure in seeing the suffering.
4. These Jews would have it thought that they had great regard for the Sabbath, and yet they had no regard for justice or righteousness. They had no qualm in sending an innocent and excellent Person to the cross, and yet fretted over having a dead body hang on a cross.

B. PILATE GAVE THE ORDER, AND THE TWO THIEVES WERE VICTIMS OF THE CRUEL MEASURE HAVING THEIR LEGS BROKEN. (VERSE 32)
1. The soldiers came, hardened against all pity, and broke the legs of the two men that were crucified on either side or our Lord. What hideous cries of agony must have come forth!
2. One of these thieves was a recent convert, and had received from Jesus the assurance that he would soon be with Him in paradise. (Luke 23:39-43) Yet he died in the same pain and misery that the other thief did.
a) Many go to heaven who die in bitterness of soul, but dying agonies do not in any way obstruct the living comforts that await the believer on the other side of death. As it turned out, Jesus had already gone on before him, and was waiting to receive him into paradise.
b) The penitent thief’s death, though painful, was the end of all pain for him. However, for the impenitent thief his dying agonies were only the beginning of his sorrow and suffering.

C. CHRIST’S LEGS WERE NOT BROKEN; HOWEVER, HIS SIDE WAS PIERCED. (VERSES 33, 34)
1. Jesus was already dead; therefore breaking His legs would have served no purpose. (Verse 33)
a) Jesus died in less time than persons crucified ordinarily did. Physiological and other reasons that have been offered to explain this notwithstanding, the true reason is that He laid down His life. When the moment came that He should die, He “cried with a loud voice…Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!” This does not describe one succumbing to death, but One dying victoriously.
b) The Jews were satisfied that He was dead; otherwise they would not have omitted this piece of cruelty if they had not been convinced He was beyond the reach of it.
c) Whatever devices are in the hearts of men, the counsel of the Lord shall stand. It was fully designed to break His legs, but God had spoken: “A bone of Him shall not be broken.” (Verses 36; Exo. 12:46) Notice how John applies that which was spoken of the Passover lamb to Christ, Who is the antitypical Lamb, the true Passover. (I Cor. 5:7)
2. Jesus being dead already, one of the soldiers thrust his spear into His side. (Verse 34)
a) The soldier’s reason for this action remains a mystery. It seems that there was no question that Jesus was dead.
(1) Was he simply making sure?
(2) Was he frustrated?
(3) Was it just a meaningless gesture?
b) There was an overriding Divine purpose.
(1) One thing it would do is give irrefutable proof that Christ was actually dead, getting out ahead of the ridiculous assertions to the contrary that would come along after the resurrection.
(2) Another thing that God intended in this was to give an illustration of the design of His death. That both blood and water should come out distinct and separate from the same wound. There was much of mystery in it, and the fact that it was so solemnly attested to by this apostle indicates something miraculous. (Verse 35) This same apostle refers to it as a very considerable thing. (I John 5:6, 8)
(3) The blood and water that flowed from Christ’s riven side are significant. They signify the two great benefits which all believers partake of through Christ – justification and sanctification.
(a) Blood for remission, water for regeneration.
(b) Blood for atonement, water for purification.
(4) Blood and water were used very much under the Law. Guilt contracted must be expiated by blood; stains contracted must be done away by the water of purification. These two must always go together – justification and sanctification.
(5) In Christ’s death on the cross we see the rock smitten (I Cor. 10:4); and we see the fountain opened. (Zech. 13:
1) Let us draw from the wells of salvation. (Isa. 12:3)

D. THE ATTESTATION TO THIS IS BY A MOST COMPETENT WITNESS; THE APOSTLE JOHN, HIMSELF. (VERSE 35)
1. He bore record of what he saw. (I John 1:1) His record is faithful and true. (See II Pet. 1:16)
2. He took great care in this particular instance to testify of what he saw so that we may be well assured to the truth of Christ’s death, and the benefits that flow from it to all who believe.

E. THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE SCRIPTURES IN ALL OF THIS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. (VERSE 36) The integrity of the Old Testament Scripture is preserved and the inspiration of the New Testament Scripture is confirmed. Here are two instances of this together –
1. The Scripture was fulfilled in the preserving of Christ’s legs from being broken. (Verse 36; Psa. 34:20)
a) As before noted, there is a type of this in the paschal lamb. (Exo. 12:46; Num. 9:12)
b) Christ is our Passover here being sacrificed for us. (I Cor. 5:7) He is the Lamb of God, and as the true Passover, His bones were kept unbroken.
2. The Scripture was fulfilled in the piercing of His side. (Verse 37; Zech. 12:10)
a) It is the God of the holy prophet who said, “They shall look upon ME whom they have pierced.” It is God the Son that is seen pierced, as “they shall mourn for HIM.”
b) It was there in Zech. 12:10 implied that Messiah would be pierced, and that the accomplishment of it would be more full than the piercing of His hands and feet, which was also foretold. (Psa. 22:16)
c) He was pierced by the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, wounded in the house of His friends. (Zech. 13:6)
d) It is promised that when the Spirit is poured out, they shall look upon Him and mourn. (Zech. 12:10a) This was fulfilled in part when the Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and many of those who had been His betrayers and murderers were “pricked in their hearts.” But it is yet being fulfilled whenever a penitent sinner owns his guilt in the death of Christ, and cries out for mercy.
(1) It was our sins that nailed Him to the cross, and it was our hands that thrust the spear into His side.
(2) Yet it is from those wounds that the fountain that is open for sin and for uncleanness to the house of David is supplied. (Zech. 13:1)

II. THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. (VERSES 38-42) This second heading will be the subject of our next lesson.

MAY 19, 2019

THE CRUCIFIXION (PART I)

INTRODUCTION:
1. As we have noted in previous lessons, Pilate tried desperately to somehow satisfy the Jews’ demands for judgment againstChrist with something short of sentencing an innocent man to die.
2. He kept up his resistance through various charges of insurrection and blasphemy, until the Jews warned him that an acquittal of Jesus would amount to committing political suicide. “If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend.” (Verse 12)
3. “When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth.” (Verse 13) “Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified.” (Verse 16a)
4. Once the judgement was given, the Jews hastened to see the execution of it carried out. “And they took Jesus and led himaway.” (Verse 16b)
5. He, bearing His own cross, went forth out of the city to the place designated for the execution of criminals, “…where theycrucified him.” (Verses 17, 18)
6. In the passage before us, John records five important details, which are not only interesting, but most meaningful.
a) The title set up over Christ’s head. (Verses 19-22)
b) The dividing of His garments. (Verses 23, 24)
c) The care Jesus took of His mother. (Verses 25-27)
d) The giving of vinegar to Jesus. (Verses 28, 29)e) The dying words of our Lord. (Verse 30)

I. THE TITLE WHICH PILATE HAD SET UP OVER JESUS’ HEAD. (VERSES 19-22)

A. THE INSCRIPTION WAS WORDED BY PILATE AND BY HIS ORDER FIXED TO THE TOP OF THE CROSS: “JESUS OF NAZARETH TH EKING OF THE JEWS.” (VERSE 19)
1. Matthew calls it the accusation; Mark and Luke call it the inscription; John gives its proper Latin meaning, the title.
2. By this the governor declared the cause for which he delivered Christ to be crucified.
3. Pilate intended this as a reproach; that He, being Jesus of Nazareth, pretended to be a King. He would thus court the favor of Caesar by showing contempt for such an unworthy rival to his majesty.
4. But God overruled the intended insult to speak to Christ’s honor.
a) It was a further testimony to His innocence, since the accusation contained no crime, nothing worthy even of bonds much less death.
b) This inscription testified to the truth that this Jesus of Nazareth was truly Messiah the Prince, the Sceptre that should arise out of Israel.

B. THE TITLE WAS NOTICED AND READ BY JEWS AND GENTILES FROM ALL PARTS. (VERSE 20)
1. Though our Lord was crucified outside the city walls, it was near the city, and drew the attention of countless people who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover.
2. Because it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, the three most known languages, it was made legible to all, and in each of these languages Christ was proclaimed king.
a) Hebrew, the language of the Oracles of God.
b) Greek, the languages of the learned philosophers.
c) Latin, the language of the laws of the Roman Empire.
3. It was thereby intimated that, in Whom are hid all the treasures of revelation, wisdom, and power, is the Savior of all nations, and that all people shall hear in their own tongue.

C. THE JEWS WERE GREATLY OFFENDED THAT PILATE HAD PLACED THIS TITLE OVER THE HEAD OF CHRIST. (VERSE 21)
1. They had already foolishly declared, “We have no king by Caesar.” (Verse 15)
2. They therefore took offence at the wording of the inscription which suggested that they themselves acknowledged that this Jesus whom they crucified was their king. They thought it should read, “He said I am King of the Jews.”

D. THE GOVERNOR RESOLVED THAT THE TITLE WOULD STAND AS WRITTEN. “WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN I HAVE WRITTEN.” (VERSE 22)
1. Pilate had clearly reached his limit with the Jewish leaders. He was probably uneasy in himself for yielding to theirdemands, and angry at them for pressing him to it. His forceful answer to their complaint indicates that he had had enough. “What I have written I have written.”
2. Hereby honor was again done to our Lord. Pilate stuck to his resolution that Jesus was the King of the Jews. The fact is what he had written was what God had written. It was written that Messiah the Prince should be cut off. (Dan. 9:26) This therefore is the true cause of His death; He dies because the King of Israel must die.
3. When the Jews rejected their King, refusing to have this man to rule over them, Pilate, a Gentile, declared that He was their King. This was a precursor to what would come to pass soon after when the Gentiles submitted to the Kingdom of Messiah after the unbelieving Jews rebelled against it. (See Acts 13:44-49)

II. THE DIVIDING OF HIS GARMENTS. (VERSES 23, 24)

A. NOTE THE SHAME THEY PUT UPON JESUS.
1. They stripped Him of His garments before they crucified Him. (His outer garments.)
2. The shame of nakedness came in with sin. He therefore, He Who was made sin for us bore that shame in order to roll away our reproach.
3. He was stripped that we might be clothed. (Rev. 3:18; II Cor. 5:3)

B. SEE THE WAGES WITH WHICH THESE SOLDIERS PAID THEMSELVES.
1. They were willing to crucify Jesus for His clothes.
2. They elected not to divide Jesus’ seamless garment, thus destroying its value, but instead, they chose to cast lots for it.
3. While Christ was in His dying agony they were making sport at the foot of His cross gambling for His robe.

C. WE SEE HERE THE FULFILLING OF THE SCRIPTURES. (VERSE 24; PSA. 22:18)
1. The fulfillment of Scripture was essential. “These things therefore the soldiers did.”
2. The events so exactly answering to the predictions prove that the Scripture is the Word of God, and that Christ is the true Messiah, for in Him all of the Messianic prophecies have their fulfillment.

III. THE CARE THAT JESUS TOOK OF HIS MOTHER. (VERSES 25-27)

A. HIS DEAR MOTHER ATTENDED HIS DEATH. (VERSE 25)
1. At first she, along with some other devout women, stood very near. Afterward it seems that they were forced to move further away. (See Matt. 27:55, 56) It was while they were still near that Jesus spoke these words.
2. We can easily imagine how unspeakably painful it was for Mary to witness her Son’s horrible suffering and death. It was as the pain of a sword piercing through her soul, just as the aged Simeon had predicted she would experience some thirty plus years before. (Luke 2:35)

B. JESUS TENDERLY PROVIDED FOR HIS MOTHER AT HIS DEATH. (VERSES 26, 27)
1. We see here the duty that children have to their parents. Clearly Jesus (though nothing specifically is written about it) looked after His mother as a faithful Son.
2. Jesus referred His duties as Mary’s Son to John, even calling upon His mother to behold her son, and John to behold his mother.
3. John took Mary into his home where he cared for her until her death.

IV. THE GIVING OF VINEGAR TO JESUS. (VERSES 28, 29)

A. THE GREAT RESPECT CHRIST SHOWED TO THE SCRIPTURES. (VERSES 28)
1. Jesus, “knowing that all things (up to this point) were now accomplished…saith I thirst.”
2. It was not unusual that He should become thirsty. (Ch. 4:6, 7) After all that He had undergone throughout this horrible ordeal, how could He not have been thirsty?
3. Yet, through all of His suffering there had been no word of complaint until now. However, the reason of His complaining of thirst is somewhat surprising. He would thus see the Scriptures fulfilled. Knowing that all things were now accomplished – except this one thing. (See Psa. 69:21)
a) What regard He had for the Scriptures! Every detail must be fulfilled. Close was not good enough!
b) Not a word of God shall fall to the ground.
c) Let us value every Word of God as our Lord did and does. (Matt. 5:18; Mark 18:31)

B. HOW CRUELLY JESUS’ PERSECUTORS RESPONDED TO HIS COMPLAINT. (VERSE 29)`
1. Some see this as a mercy, that dying men were given this vinegar (a sour wine) to alleviate suffering. This explanation does not seem to agree with the prophecy. “They gave me also gall for my meat, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” (Psa. 69:21)
2. The criminal’s drink was offered to our innocent Lord; a bitter portion to our dying Master. Spurgeon writes, “We blame the Jews for this sorry treatment, but how often have our sins filled the gall-cup of our Redeemer.”

V. THE DYING WORDS OF OUR LORD. (VERSE 30)

A. THESE WORDS WERE WORDS OF TRIUMPH. “IT IS FINISHED.” THIS IS A VERY COMPREHENSIVE DECLARATION.
1. In giving Him vinegar for His thirst, His persecutors had at last emptied out the vial of their malice and enmity. He had drunk the bitter cup, all of it!! He had endured the cross and all its shame. “It is finished.”
2. All of the counsel and commandment of His Father concerning His sufferings were now fulfilled. (Acts 2:23) He could say, “It is finished.”
3. All of the types and prophecies which pointed to the suffering Messiah were accomplished and answered. Having drunk the vinegar He could think of nothing else yet to be suffered, therefore he could say with confidence, “It is finished.”
4. The ceremonial law was now abolished, all of its ordinances and writings having been nailed to His cross, He declared, “It is finished.” (Eph. 2:14, 15; Col. 2:14)
5. As for sin, He had made an end of the transgression, by bringing in an everlasting righteousness. (Dan. 9:24; Heb. 9:26)
6. The work of man’s redemption was now accomplished, and the tremendous undertaking that occasioned His coming into the world and taking human flesh was done. “It is finished,” all is done!!

B. WHAT HE DID IN THE HOUR OF HIS TRIUMPH. “HE BOWED HIS HEAD AND GAVE UP THE GHOST.”
1. Notice, He gave up the ghost, actively gave His spirit into the Father’s hand. All other humans are passive in death, but His death was voluntary. (John 10:17, 18; Matt. 20:28; Eph. 5:25)
a) Christ showed His will in His suffering by which we are sanctified.
b) He died voluntarily, because He was not only the sacrifice, but the Priest and the One Who offered it.
2. Notice also, He bowed His head.
a) He did not as others who were crucified stretch his neck gasping for breath, only dropping the head when He could breathe no more.
b) But He, to show Himself active in dying, bowed His head first, thus composing Himself as one falling asleep.

May 5,2019

CHRIST’S ARRAIGNMENT BEFORE PILATE (CONTINUED)

INTRODUCTION:

1. From the time that Jesus was led to appear before Pilate, the governor had three times declared His innocence.
a) After the charge of insurrection (Ch. 18:35),
b) After trying to appease His accusers by having Jesus humiliated and scourged (Ch. 19:4),
c) After the Jews cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him.” (Ch. 19:6)
2. Clearly, Pilate had no heart for sentencing an innocent man to die, but he lacked the character to maintain a righteous stand.
a) Even his attempts to satisfy the Jews by compromise were unjust. First, the Jewish custom called for the release of acriminal, and Christ was not guilty of any crime. (Ch. 18:39) Secondly, it is cruel injustice to order an innocent man to be scourged. (Ch. 19:1)
b) But Pilate’s betrayal of justice would not stop short of the greatest possible abuse of his God-given authority.
3. The latest exchange between Pilate and our Lord seemed to turn the heat up to a very uncomfortable degree for the governor. (Verses 8-11)
a) The charge that the prisoner claimed to be the Son of God was not denied.
b) The solemn declaration concerning judicial power, and from whence it came, and the guilt that the misuse of it would incur clearly shook Pilate. (Verse 11)
c) Pilate’s guilt in putting an innocent man to death out of fear is only exceeded by that of the Jews, who did so out of hatred.

I. PILATE STRUGGLED IN VAIN TO DELIVER JESUS. (VERSES 12-15) From this point forward we hear no further exchange between Pilate and our Lord, only what passed between him and the Jews.

A. PILATE, PERHAPS OUT OF FEAR, NOW SEEMED MORE ZEALOUS THAN BEFORE TO GET JESUS DISCHARGED. (VERSE 12a)
1. “Thenceforth” – from this time, after the previous exchange (Verses 8-11), particularly after the rebuke in Verse 11, (though his was not the greater guilt) – “Pilate sought to release him.”
2. The charge of blasphemy was made by the Jews because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. This struck fear into Pilate. (Verse 8) But, Jesus’ conduct and speech when examined increased his fear, because it seemed to give credence to the claim. He spake as one having authority. Pilate’s rebuke in Verse 10 would have frightened any common man, but clearly it did not shake our Lord at all.

B. THE JEWS WERE NOW MORE FURIOUS THAN EVER, AND MORE DETERMINED TO SEE JESUS CRUCIFIED. (VERSE 12b)
1. They made out that putting Jesus to death was the outcry of the whole nation, when in actuality it was, at this point, essentially the rulers who were in an uproar.
2. They tried to frighten Pilate by calling into question his loyalty to Caesar, in that he was trying to acquit an insurrectionist. Jesus had already convinced Pilate that His kingdom was not an earthly one. (See Ch. 18:36-38)

C. PILATE AT LAST YIELDED TO THE WILL OF THE JEWS. (VERSES 13-15)
1. “When he heard that saying,” that he could not expect Caesar’s favor if he did not put Jesus to death, then he thought it was time to look out for his own interest.
a) He maintained Christ’s innocence through all attempts to prove Him a malefactor, up until they convinced him that it was in his interest to condemn Him.
b) Those who make the favor of men their chief concern open themselves up for temptation.
2. “Pilate brought Jesus forth,” and, no doubt, put on his royal robe and “sat down in the judgment seat.” (Verses 13, 14)
a) The place where Christ was condemned was a place called the pavement, which is in Hebrew Gabbatha. This was probably an elevated place, where criminals were tried, raised that all might see.
b) The time was about the sixth hour, apparently according to Roman reckoning, which agrees with out six o’clock in the morning. It was the preparation for the Passover Sabbath. (Verse 14; see Luke 23:54) This is mentioned as an aggravation of their sin. At a time when they should have been purging out the leaven, they were persecuting Christ with malice and fury.
3. Pilate, before proceeding to give judgment, once more endeavored to cool their rage, but in vain. (Verse 15)
a) He said, “Behold your King!” This was apparently intended to demonstrate the absurdity of their charge. “Look at this man! Is He likely to be a danger to government?”
b) They responded with great indignation, “Away with him, away with him.” This was an expression of disdain as well as malice. “Get him out of our sight.” (See Isa. 49:7)
c) Remember, all of this shows how we deserved to be treated before God the Judge.
4. Perhaps in order to quiet his own conscience, Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” “Shall I, a Roman, really crucify your King?”
5. To this question, the rulers cried out, “We have no king but Caesar.” These memorable words inflicted indelible disgrace on the leaders of the Jews, and stamped the Jews forever as a fallen, blinded, Godforsaken and apostate nation. They renounced the faith of their forefathers, and declared that Caesar was their king and not God.(See John 8:33) It must have been here that Pilate washed his hands before the people. (See Matt. 27:24)

II. PILATE’S GREAT STRUGGLE AT LENGTH ENDED WITH HIS CONVICTIONS YIELDING TO HIS CORRUPTIONS IN THE CONDEMNATION OF THE INNOCENT. (VERSES 16-18)

A. PILATE GAVE JUDGEMENT AGAINST CHRIST AND SIGNED THE WARRANT FOR HIS EXECUTION. (VERSE 16a) “Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified.”
1. We see here how Pilate sinned against his conscience by condemning Him Who he had again and again pronounced innocent. (Ch. 18:38; 19:4, 6)
2. Let us remember, when we read the word “delivered” (“then delivered he Him”), that He was “delivered for our offences,” and that God “spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.” (Rom. 4:25; 8:32)

B. JUDGEMENT GIVEN, THE PROSECUTORS HASTENED TO SEE THE EXECUTION CARRIED OUT. (VERSE 16b) “And they took Jesus, and led him away.”
1. We are here reminded by the phrase, “and led him away,” of what Isaiah said, that Messiah should be “brought (or led) as a lamb to the slaughter.” (Isa. 53:7)
2. “They took him,” either the chief priests themselves greedily flew upon Him, or the soldiers present laid hands on Him. Either way, the process was being hurried along by the Jews.
a) They feared that Pilate might have second thoughts and order a reprieve.
b) They also feared a possible uproar among the people. They had to stir up the people, and it is most unlikely that all, or even a majority of the people should have favored such a travesty of justice.
3. Now was the Son of Man delivered into the hands of men. (Mark 9:31) They were wicked and unreasonable men.
a) Once authorized by Pilate, the prosecutors became the executioners. According to the Law of Moses, the witnesses shall be “first upon him to put him to death.” (Deut. 17:7)
b) The priests here were clearly proud to carry out the sentence. They took him, no doubt, forcefully, yet He offered no resistance. “He openeth not his mouth.”

C. TO ADD TO HIS MISERY, THEY OBLIGED HIM TO CARRY HIS CROSS. (VERSE 17a)
1. This Jesus did so long as He could bear up under the load. When He could no longer bear up, one Simon, a Cyrenian, was compelled to take over. (Mark 15:21)
2. According to Roman custom, their crosses did not stand permanently in the places of execution, because the malefactor was to be nailed to his cross as it lay long upon the ground, then lifted up with the subject fastened to it and dropped into a socked prepared in the ground to receive it. The timbers were long and neither seasoned nor hewn. What horrific pain this must have added to one whose back had been scourged and torn to shreds by the Roman lectors!!
3. Though none of us could ever bear His cross, for it was our iniquity that was laid on Him, and He was bearing our sins in His body on the tree. (Isa. 53:6; I Pet. 2:24) Nevertheless, our Lord hereby taught all of His disciples to take up their cross, and follow Him. (Luke 9:23)

D. JESUS WAS BROUGHT TO THE PLACE OF EXECUTION. (VERSE 17b)
1. “He went forth,” not against His will, but voluntarily in His suffering.
2. He went forth out of the city, for He was crucified without the gate. (Heb. 13:12; see Lev. 16:27) He went forth to the common place of execution, as one in all points, numbered with the transgressors. (Isa. 53:12)
3. The place of the crucifixion was called the place of a skull, which is called…Golgotha.”
a) Many believe it was called “the place of a skull” because of the many skulls and bones of countless executed criminals that were left there.
b) Others believe that the rising resembles the shape of a skull, which seems more likely.

E. JESUS WAS THERE CRUCIFIED. (VERSE 18)
1. He died the death of the cross, nailed to the tree, as a sacrifice bound to the altar. He was lifted up as the brazen serpent. (Num. 21:8, 9; John 3:14, 15)
2. He was crucified between two malefactors. (Verse 18b; see Luke 23:39-4