(17) "They took Jesus therefore; and He went out, bearing the cross for Himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha; (18) where they crucified Him, and with Him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. (19) And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (20) This title therefore read many of the Jews, for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city; and it was written in Hebrew, and in Latin, and in Greek. (21) The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews, but, that He said, I am King of the Jews. (22) Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
(23) "The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat; now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. (24) They said therefore one to another, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be; that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith,
"They parted My garments among them,
And upon My vesture did they cast lots."
(25) These things therefore the soldiers did. But there were standing 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 standing by whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold, thy son! (27) Then saith He to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home.
(28) "After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I thirst. (29) There was set there a vessel full of vinegar; so they put a sponge full of vinegar upon hyssop, and brought it to His mouth. (30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished; and He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit."
Golden Text.—"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures." 1 Cor. 15:3.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) In what condition was Jesus finally taken out from the court of Pilate? To what place was He taken? Verse 17. Note 1. (2) What was done with Him there? In what way was the scripture especially fulfilled? Verse 18. Note 2. (3) What inscription was placed upon the cross? Verse 19. Note 3. (4) What made this title particularly noticeable? Verse 20. (5) Therefore what did the priests request of the governor? Verse 21. (6) What was Pilate's reply? Verse 22. Note 4. (7) After crucifying Jesus, what did the soldiers do with His clothing? What was peculiar about His coat (margin, "tunic")? Verse 23. Note 5. (8) How did they dispose of this seamless garment? What scripture was thus fulfilled? Verse 24. Note 6. (9) What special friends of Jesus' stood near the cross? Verse 25. (10) Whom did Jesus see near His mother? What did He say to His mother? Verse 26. (11) What did He say to that disciple? What did the disciple afterward do? Verse 27. Note 7. (12) What is said of Jesus' knowledge of the situation? What did He say? Verse 28. Note 8. (13) What then was offered to Him? Verse 29. (14) After this, what did He say? And then what followed? Verse 30. Note 9.
NOTES.
1. It was the custom to make a criminal, sentenced to crucifixion, bear his own cross, or at least part of it. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all say that they met a man, a stranger, on the way, and compelled him to carry the cross. This would indicate that Jesus had broken down under the terrible strain through which He had passed, and was not able to carry the cross all the way. Luke gives the touching story of the women of Jerusalem expressing their sympathy with Jesus; but He reminded them of the terrible fate awaiting them and their children. See Luke 23:27-29.
2. The minute detail in verse 18 is peculiarly emphatic as showing the purpose to accentuate the disgrace by placing Christ between two malefactors, and thus implying that He was the chief criminal. In this, however, the scripture was fulfilled which says, "He was numbered with the transgressors." Isa. 53:12.
3. The title which Pilate wrote was intended as a slur upon the Jews. He was disgusted with their course, and desired to turn the disgrace of the crucifixion upon them as far as possible. Therefore he wrote it in all the principal languages spoken by the people assembled from all parts of the world to celebrate the Passover.
4. The chief priests keenly felt the implied disgrace of having the crucified One represented as their King, and desired to break the force of it. But in this Pilate displayed the spirit of resolution that he so sadly lacked when he yielded to their clamor for the death of Jesus. There was a significance in this title not observed without a knowledge of the custom on such occasions. It was the custom to put an inscription on a crucified criminal, stating the nature of the crime for which he had been condemned. Therefore that which Pilate wrote signified that it was a crime to be a king of the Jews unless appointed by Roman authority. It was well known that the Jews expected a Messiah that would deliver them from Roman rule, and here it was intimated what would be the fate of such a king.
5. The legacy which Jesus left, so far as this world's goods go, was very small, and that was of such a nature that it was allowed to fall to His executioners. He had created all things (John 1:3; Col. 1:16), but had no property titles which the world recognized, and had made no claim such as was commonly recognized. People whose sole life business is to do good have little or nothing to leave behind, when they pass away. But Jesus left a legacy for all that is of far more value than all this world. He left an heirship in the eternal kingdom for every one who will accept it on the simple conditions which He has specified in His Word.
6. The disposition of His garments was another prophetic mark positively identifying Jesus as the Messiah. See Ps. 22:16-18.
7. Jesus had labored, before beginning His public ministry, to support His mother, and had not forgotten her at any time. And even now, while suffering the agonies of the cross, He disregards His own situation to give attention even to her temporal needs.
8. The scriptures certainly left the Jews without excuse as to the identity of Jesus as the Messiah, and therefore we are without excuse in our day. The scripture referred to in verses 28 and 29 is Ps. 69:20, 21.
9. To those who suffered death by the cross, it was permitted to give a stupefying potion, to deaden the sense of pain. This was offered to Jesus; but when He had tasted it, He refused it. He would receive nothing that could becloud His mind. His faith must keep fast hold upon God. This was His only strength. To becloud His senses would give Satan an advantage.—"The Desire of Ages." What a lesson in temperance!
