📖 Passage
John 19:28–37 Read John 19:28–37 (NKJV)
🧠 Context & Background
This section captures the exact moment of Jesus’ death and the immediate signs that accompanied it. John emphasizes that these events were not random but the precise fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Jesus’ declaration “It is finished” signifies the completion of His atoning mission. The piercing of His side not only verifies His death but also carries deep theological meaning, symbolizing the outpouring of life and Spirit for His people.
🌿 Key Themes
- Completion of Redemption — Jesus’ work on the cross reaches its decisive conclusion.
- Prophetic Fulfillment — Every detail occurs in accordance with Scripture.
- True Humanity and Death — Jesus truly dies; His physical body ceases, confirming the reality of the incarnation.
- Life from His Death — The blood and water testify to cleansing and new life through Him.
📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
John 19:28–30
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now finished…”
- All things… finished — Jesus’ life was not taken from Him; He laid it down willingly, knowing His mission was complete (John 10:18).
- “I thirst” — Expresses true human suffering and fulfills Psalm 69:21.
- Sour wine — Offered in mockery but sovereignly used to fulfill prophecy.
- “It is finished” (Tetelestai) — A legal and commercial term meaning “paid in full,” indicating that sin’s debt is completely satisfied.
John 19:31–33
“…they did not break His legs…”
- Day of Preparation — The urgency to remove the bodies before the Sabbath aligns with Jewish law (Deuteronomy 21:23).
- No bone broken — Fulfills Exodus 12:46 and Psalm 34:20, connecting Jesus to the Passover lamb.
John 19:34–37
“…one of the soldiers pierced His side…”
- Piercing the side — Fulfills Zechariah 12:10, pointing to Israel’s future recognition of the Messiah.
- Blood and water — May symbolize justification (blood) and sanctification (water), or the Spirit’s life-giving work.
- Eyewitness testimony — John stresses his presence to affirm the truthfulness of these events.
🔍 Trusted Insight
Andreas Köstenberger notes that John’s focus on fulfilled prophecy underlines God’s meticulous sovereignty over the crucifixion. D.A. Carson emphasizes that “It is finished” is not a cry of defeat but of victory, announcing the accomplishment of salvation. R.C. Sproul highlights the piercing as a vivid reminder that salvation flows from Christ alone, with the imagery of blood and water pointing to the cleansing and life given to believers.
Summary: Jesus’ death fully accomplishes redemption, fulfills ancient prophecy, and pours out life for His people.
🧩 Review Questions
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- What is the significance of Jesus’ declaration “It is finished”?
- How do these verses connect Jesus to the Passover lamb?
- Why does John stress the fulfillment of multiple Old Testament prophecies?
- What theological meaning can be drawn from the blood and water?
🔍 Definitions
- Tetelestai — Greek for “It is finished,” meaning the debt is fully paid.
- Day of Preparation — The day before the Sabbath, used for necessary tasks to avoid Sabbath labor.
- Passover Lamb — The sacrificial lamb whose blood protected Israel; fulfilled in Christ.
🙋 Application Questions
- How does Jesus’ willing completion of His mission encourage you in your faith?
- In what ways can you rest in the finality of “It is finished”?
- How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus’ death strengthen your confidence in God’s Word?
🔤 Greek Keywords
- Tetelestai — “It is finished”; signifies the completed work of redemption.
- Dipsaō — “I thirst”; reveals the real human suffering of Jesus.
- Logchē — “Spear”; the weapon used to pierce Jesus’ side.
📚 Cross References
- Psalm 69:21 — They gave Him vinegar for His thirst.
- Exodus 12:46 — Passover lamb’s bones unbroken.
- Psalm 34:20 — God protects all His bones.
- Zechariah 12:10 — They will look on the one they pierced.
- 1 John 5:6 — Jesus came by water and blood.