John 19 Summary

Pilate scourges Jesus and the soldiers plait a crown of thorns and clothe Him in a purple robe, mocking Him as King of the Jews. When Pilate presents Him saying "Behold the man," the chief priests demand crucifixion, claiming He made Himself Son of God. Though Pilate seeks to release Him, the Jews threaten that if he does so he is not Caesar's friend, forcing Pilate to deliver Jesus to be crucified. Jesus bears His cross to Golgotha, where He is crucified with two others on either side, with the title "Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews" written above Him in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Soldiers divide His garments by lot, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, stands by the cross with His beloved disciple, to whom Jesus commits her care. Knowing all things are accomplished, Jesus says "I thirst," receives vinegar, and declares "It is finished," then bows His head and yields up His spirit. Because it is the preparation day, the Jews ask Pilate that their legs be broken and bodies taken away, but finding Jesus already dead, the soldiers pierce His side. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus take His body and lay it in a new sepulchre in a garden near the place of crucifixion.