He Was Pierced In His Side

The Gospel according to John (King James Version) D. The Crucifixion: The Major Events at the Cross, 19:16–37

7 (19:30) Jesus Christ, Death: the seventh event of the cross was Jesus’ great shout of victory. Salvation and reconciliation were now possible for man. Note two points.

a. Jesus cried, “It is finished.” The Greek word (tetelestai) is the shout of victorious purpose. Jesus had completed His work, His mission, and His task. He was not crying the cry of a defeated martyr. He was crying the cry of a victorious conqueror.

b. “Gave up the ghost” means that He gave up His spirit. It must always be remembered that Jesus willingly died. He willingly came to this moment of yielding and giving up His spirit unto death. Both Paul and Peter cover the Lord’s work during the three days immediately following His death until the resurrection.

1) Paul says that on the cross this happened:

“[He] spoiled principalities and power, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it [the cross]” (Col. 2:15. See Ep. 6:12.)

2) Peter says that on the cross and after death this happened:

“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah” (1 Pe. 3:18–20. See note—1 Pe. 3:18–22; DEEPER STUDY # 1—3:19–20.)

3) Paul says that after death this happened:

“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)” (Ep. 4:8–10. See note—Ep. 4:8–10.)

8 (19:31–37) The Spear: the eighth event of the cross was that of the spear being thrust into Jesus’ side.

a. The religionists’ concern for trifles was somewhat shocking. Note how religious ceremony and ritual consumed the mind of the religionists and actually became more important than the suffering of a man. But not so with Christ: He was hanging there because He was concerned for man. He felt for the suffering of man, so He had given His life for man.

“For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham [the flesh of man]. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (He. 2:16–18).

b. Christ died prematurely, much sooner than a man was supposed to die from crucifixion. One of the reasons Rome chose crucifixion as the State’s method of execution was its slow, lingering death. By law the criminal was to hang upon the cross until he died from thirst, hunger, and exposure. Sometimes a man lingered for days under the heat of the broiling sun or the cold of the winter nights. Such suffering struck fear into the hearts of the captured populace and restrained severe crime. Because Jesus died so quickly, He probably died from the pressure of a broken heart and of being separated from God in behalf of mankind (1 Pe. 2:24; 3:18). Apparently His heart burst, and the blood mingled with the water-fluid of the pericardium surrounding the heart. The spear pierced the pericardium causing the blood and water to flow. Perhaps John stressed this incident because he saw the symbol of the two ordinances pictured: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

1) The water symbolized baptism, the washing of regeneration which Jesus was to bring.

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit. 3:4–5).

2) The blood symbolized the Lord’s Supper, the partaking of the blood of Christ which cleanses men of their sins.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:7).

c. John insisted upon the accuracy of his account. He said, “I saw it and bare record; my record is true.” Note: He also said that God knew he was telling the truth. Why was this stressed? John told us: he stressed his truthfulness that “ye might believe” (see DEEPER STUDY # 2—Jn. 2:24).

Note another point. John said we are without excuse if we fail to believe. Why? Because the crucifixion and its events were a fulfillment of Scripture. (See Ex. 12:46; Nu. 9:12. Ps. 34:20 predicts that not a bone of His body would be broken. See Zec. 12:10 which predicts the spear. Also see Is. 53 which predicts so much of the crucifixion.)

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (Jn. 20:31).

The Gospel according to John (King James Version) E. The Burial: The Conquest of Fear, 19:38–42

E. The Burial: The Conquest of Fear, 19:38–42

(19:38–42) Introduction: Jesus’ death conquers fear for the genuine believer.

1. Jesus’ death conquered fear in a secret disciple: Joseph of Arimathaea (v.38).

2. Jesus’ death conquered fear in a cowardly disciple: Nicodemus (v.39).

3. Jesus’ death stirred open commitment (vv.40–42).

1 (19:38) Joseph of Arimathaea—Jesus Christ, Death—Confession: Jesus’ death conquered fear in a secret disciple, Joseph of Arimathaea. A revealing picture of Joseph is given in Scripture.

a. He was a counselor, a senator, a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling body of Israel. He was apparently …

• highly educated

• highly esteemed

• well liked

• very responsible

• capable of leadership

b. He was a “good and just” man. He was a man …

• of good quality

• of high morals

• of feelings

• of compassion

• of justice

• of decision

• of truth

• of law