The Announcement and the burial of Jesus

31 Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

John 19:32–33 NASB95

32 So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; 33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.

John 19:34–35 NASB95

34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.

John 19:36–37 NASB95

36 For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “Not a bone of Him shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

Anything in particular stick out to you in this passage?

What was the ask by Pilate, and why (v.31)?

Go break his legs so can be off the cross, taken away before the Sabbath high day.

Look closely at (vv.32-33), what did the soldiers not do?

They did not break His legs

What conclusion did the soldier make after piercing Jesus side (vv.34-35)?

That what he saw, what he heard (testimony) was true, true with purpose so that you may believe!

There are two fulfillments of scripture (vv.36-37), what are they?

Not a bone would be broken (Ps34:20; Exo12:46; Num9:12)

They would look upon Him who was pierced (Zech12:10)

Crucifixion was to be a deterrent to others regarding crime. It was common that a crucifixion could go on for many hours (36 hours or more).

The Jews did not want Jesus on the cross during the Sabbath (this being a high day, a special convocation to the Lord) made a demand of the Romans, “break his legs so he will die and so his body can be taken away.”

Spurgeon: “Their consciences were not wounded by the murder of Jesus, but they were greatly moved by the fear of ceremonial pollution. Religious scruples may live in dead conscience.”

The breaking of the legs (v.31) would bring about a quicker death by asphyxiation.

The soldiers complied with the demand with the other two, but denied the command when it came to Jesus.

Love this quote by Spurgeon when looking to the three on the crosses and the dealing with them.

“The penitent thief entered into paradise that very day, but it was not without suffering; say, rather that the terrible stroke was the actual means of the prompt fulfillment of his Lord’s promise to Him. By that blow he died that day; Else might he have lingered long.”

The thief entered paradise by suffering; Jesus suffered for us, we we too may enter!

Under discernment and history the Roman’s make a determination no need to break the legs of Jesus for He is already dead.

They Did not do what they were ordered to do, but that is not enough read again. See what they did do

John 19:33–34 HCSB

33 When they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs since they saw that He was already dead. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.

His side was pierced not by the demand, or command, but in fulfillment of scripture (Isa53:5)

Isaiah 53:5 NASB95

5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

Maybe a quick look at some more details, this from Mark.

Mark 15:44–45 NASB95

44 Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. 45 And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.

Hold onto this information, more will come from this in a minute. What we do know is there is a confirmation of the Lord’s quick death on the cross.

Blood and water came out; instant autopsy?

Guzik in his commentary I found interesting, listen to this.

“There are some who regard this as something of an on-the-spot autopsy of Jesus, revealing that His actual cause of death was of a ruptured (burst) heart. The thinking is that in such cases, the sack surrounding the heart (normally filled with a watery substance) fills with blood. If that sack is opened and its contents allowed to flow outside the body, it would look like an issue of blood and water (because the two substances do not mix, something like oil and water). Normally this would be a trickle; perhaps there was something supernatural at the work to demonstrate this sign. Jesus died of a broken heart.”

Augustus Toplady song, Rock of Ages and thoughts behind it

In a quick side trip, let me share what I found behind this song.

In writing this he was thinking, being reminded

Blood and water were often used in priestly service of atoning for and cleansing of sin.

When looking at Old Testament scripture in totality you will see purification of sin was set forth by blood and water. Water cleansed, blood covered.

For us today it is by the water and the blood we are cleansed!

The water and the blood as the blood justifies and the water sanctifies. The blood cares for the guilt of sin, and the water deals with the stains of sin.”- Wiersbe

John uses this also showing real blood, means Jesus had a real body and real death (1Jn1:1-4; also see 1Jn5:6)

The water and the blood should encourage people to believe (v.35) - John’s purpose (Jn20:31)

Courson in his commentary said this regarding (v.35)

“Nevertheless, the manner and certainty of the death of Jesus is an essential part of our Christian belief. This is truly so that you may believe. What John has already told us about the death of Jesus to this point already leads us to believe.

His innocence leads to believe (Jn19:4, 6)

His dignity through the suffering leads us to believe (Jn19:10)

His manner of death leads us to believe (Jn3:14; Jn19:16)

His clothes being gambled for leads us to believe (Jn19:24)

His love for his mother leads us to believe (Jn19:26)

His surrender leads us to believe (Jn19:30)

And, with us knowing of the resurrection as promised would lead us to believe

Handling of Jesus body

John 19:38 NASB95

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.

John 19:39–40 NASB95

39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

John 19:41–42 NASB95

41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

What do you find significant to you in this passage?

What do you learn about Joseph of Arimathea (v.38)?

He was a secret disciple

He had fear of the Jews

What did Nicodemus do (v.39)? and what did ‘they’ do (v.40)?

Nicodemus brought spices

They wrapped him as was the burial custom with the spices

What do you learn about where Jesus was placed (vv.41-42)?

It was in a garden

In a tomb in which no one had laid

It was nearby (expand on this)

The taking of Jesus body picture here

A few things to consider as we look at this final section tonight. Think about this, put yourself in the place of Joseph and of Nicodemus.

Nicodemus as a Pharisee, had to have been in the crowd at the praetorium, now at the cross and part of caring for Jesus body.

Both have to had been witnesses to the crucifixion.

Joseph according to scripture was a fearful believer, but faced his fear and asked for the body.

Nicodemus must have done the same.

Could it be they both arranged this beforehand with each other?

Consider what they saw:

Their Savior, their hope hanging on the cross dead with blood trickling down

Bloody matted hair, on a beaten and bruised face and body, part of his beard torn out.

Cracked lips from being parched thirty, broken pieces of thorns from the crown.

The open wounds from the scourging he endured.

The holes in the wrists and feet

And they saw the crowd with many unbelievers

The care they took in the body in preparation for burial.

The knowing they were making themselves “unclean” by touching the body so unable to participate in the Passover.

These men were forever impacted by what they saw, what they believed and what they did. - - - -

What are you going to do with what you believe and by what you saw in the scripture?

Stop here. There are so many more things that we could get into, but I think the point is made and we should stop.