1. What do we learn about Pilate from the following verses in the Gospel of John and the other Gospels?
2. What is flogging and why did Pilate order Jesus to be flogged in verse 1 of Chapter 19 of the Gospel of John?
The punishment was horrible, the victim being bound to a low pillar or stake, and beaten, either with rods, or, in the case of slaves and provincials, with scourges, called "scorpions," leather thongs tipped with leaden balls or sharp spikes. The severity of the infliction in Jesus' case is evident from His inability to bear His cross.(from Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
Pilate wanted to avoid killing an innocent man. He thought that by flogging him he would appease the Jews and they would consent to Jesus' release.
1. In verse 5 of Chapter 19 of the Gospel of John Pilate presents Jesus to the Jews and tells them "Here is the man". Describe what Jesus must have looked like to the crowd.
A bloody head from the crown of thorns, a purple cloak covering the bruised and battered body, with flesh ripped and torn from flogging and beating, it's likely Jesus could barely walk or stand. I do not think his look would have been defiance or anger, he was submissive and resigned to fulfill the Father's will. Thank Him for the suffering he voluntarily took without any reason other that to please the Father and to pay the price for our sins.
2. What law did the Jews have in mind when they stated that Jesus broke it when he claimed to be the Son of God?
Likely one of the two below, but since Jesus WAS and IS the Son of God - He did not break a law.
Lev 24:16 16 anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.
Deut 18:20 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."
3. Did Jesus claim to be the Son of God? Cite the verse(s)from the Gospel of John and other Gospels and books of the Bible.
John 5:18 18 For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
Matthew 26:63-66 63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.
Mark 14:61-64 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 63 The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. 64 "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.
John 8:58-59 58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
John 10:30-33 30 I and the Father are one." 31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 33 "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
John 10:36-38 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? 37 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."
1. When Pilate heard that Jews state that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, verse 8 of Chapter 19 of the Gospel of John says he "was even more afraid". What was Pilate afraid of to begin with and why did this make him even more afraid?
First he was afraid of the Jews in that they were bringing him a man who they knew was innocent and were trying to persuade Pilate to execute. I believe Pilate thought this might incite a riot among the people as Jesus was a very popular figure.
I believe Pilate thought Jesus might have been like gods of his superstition who came down from the gods above and this really scared him especially since his wife had warned him of her dreams.
2. Jesus states in verse 11 of Chapter 19 of the Gospel of John: "Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." Whom is he referring to?
Caiaphas and his fellow priests
3. If God's will was that Jesus should die on the cross, then why was it a sin for Pilate and the Priests to crucify Jesus?
God is sovereign and is in control of all things; however, man can and will sin and God's foreknowledge can allow for that sin to eventually render good.
Some examples are: in Genesis we read about Joseph being sold into slavery, which eventually saved Israel from a worldwide famine; an avowed atheist named Josh McDowell set out to prove God did not exist and became a great Christian apologist; and in Deuteronomy we learn of Sihon king of Heshbon who refused Israel¡¦s peace offering and would not let them pass through his country to the land God gave them because God made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate in order to deliver him into the hands of Israel.
Murder, condemnation without evidence, lying and malice are all sins, but God can create goodness out of evil. We are reminded of this when Joseph meets his brothers years after they sold him into slavery and tells them that they meant his slavery for evil, but God meant it for good.
1. What is the difference between Pilate's, Caiaphas' and Judas' sins?
2. Why do you think Pilate posted the notice to the cross that said "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews"; and why do you think the chief priests objected to it?
Perhaps Pilate was berating the Chief Priests for compelling him to crucify a man they both knew was innocent. Most likely it was of an accusatory nature.
The Chief Priests were upset because the decree was true. He was the King of the Jews.
3. What scripture was fulfilled by Jesus' statement of thirst and his subsequent drink?
Psalm 69:21 - They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
1. In verse 30 of Chapter 19 of the Gospel of John Jesus stated "It is finished". What was he referring to?
The pain and suffering, the sacrifice, the completion of his mission for God.
2. Verse 35 of Chapter 19 of the Gospel of John says: "The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe." What does this verse mean and why was it written here?
John likely had heard at the time of his writing that some said Jesus was not really dead. He was stating here that he was an eyewitness to the spear piercing and that he can certify that Jesus was actually dead already when pierced. This was said so that others might believe that Jesus was dead and did rise from the dead.
3. Which verses in this chapter of the Gospel of John refer to fulfilled Scripture?
Passage from the Gospel of John Chapter 19
23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.
Scripture Fulfilled:
Psalm 22:18 - They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
Passage from the Gospel of John Chapter 19
28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Scripture Fulfilled:
Psalm 69:21 - They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
Passage from the Gospel of John Chapter 19
33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," 37 and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced."
Scriptures Fulfilled:
Psalm 34:20 - he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
Exodus 12:46 - "It must be eaten inside one house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.
Zechariah 12:10-"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
1. Why did Jesus say to his mother in verses 26 and 27 of Chapter 19 of the Gospel of John "Dear woman here is your son." and to John "Here is your mother."?
He was obeying the commandment to honor thy father and mother
2. What facts do we learn about Joseph of Arimathea from the following verses?
Mark 15:43
Matt 27:57-60
Luke 23:50-51
John 19:39
3. We will likely never suffer as Jesus did in accomplishing God's will in our lives. However, how can we take comfort if we do we suffer when we accomplish God's will? What scriptures help us?(Hint: They are not necessarily found in the Gospel of John. Look in I Peter, Philippians, and II Corinthians.)
2 Cor 1:3-73 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
Phil 1:29-3029 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
1 Peter 1:3-93 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 2:19-2319 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
1 Peter 3:13-1713 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 4:16-1916 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" 19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.