John 19
Devotional by Abigail O’Neel
Read John 19
John 19
Jesus Delivered to Be Crucified
Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, ch. 7:27 “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!.” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
“They divided my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
The Death of Jesus
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced
Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
Jesus Is Buried
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 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. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.
Devotional
There’s something about a garden that so easily draws people in. The garden in today’s text is no exception.
“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.”
John 19 is the darkest text in all of Scripture, yet even here our eyes are drawn to a garden.
As I read these verses, I sense no accident in the authors’ choice to describe a garden in verse 41—this detail, rich with meaning, connects the past, the present, and the future.
Look back and see Eden. Here, humanity’s story began in fellowship with God. Eden symbolized life, beauty, and abundance, yet, it was there that sin first cast its shadow upon humanity. Once a place of unadulterated communion with God, Eden now marked the beginning of separation from God. Adam and Eve were then driven out, and death was introduced into humanity’s story.
Look around and see the tomb, surrounded by a garden (John 19:41). Though death reigns within the tomb, life slowly awakens around it. The garden continues quietly germinating—waiting, growing, preparing to burst forth in all its fullness, just as Jesus’ victory over death will soon bring eternal life to all who believe. The garden symbolizes life’s quiet resilience, despite death’s dark shadow.
Look forward and see the coming garden. This one symbolizing a future restoration, when Eden will be renewed and God’s people will dwell with Him forever.
Even as the tomb stands as a somber symbol of death, the garden quietly whispers of a hopeful ending that is coming. In Christ, life awakens again.
How does the presence of a garden at the site of Jesus’ death subtly communicate God’s redemptive plan? What does this say about God’s ability to bring life from death?
Great words!!!!!
I agree.
In this cold and dying world, the dawn of a new day is coming.
May we share words of life. Our King lives.
Thanks for illuminating the hope in the garden
How does the presence of a garden at the site of Jesus’ death subtly communicate God’s redemptive plan? What does this say about God’s ability to bring life from death?
This description of the garden resonated with me: “ Once a place of unadulterated communion with God, Eden now marked the beginning of separation from God.” So it was in this devotion of the tomb by the garden as well that marked the separation of Jesus from us to fulfill God’s prophecy. The separation of Him from us as a man of flesh to one of deity and becoming our Saviour. Touching my heart with these words: “ Even as the tomb stands as a somber symbol of death, the garden quietly whispers of a hopeful ending that is coming. In Christ, life awakens again.”. Yes Christ now offers us the choice of everlasting life with Him in a place that His Father has prepared for us! The place with many rooms. — Eternal life, eternal salvation, and forgiveness! The choice is up to us! I know my choice! Blessings to All!
An amazing chapter written by John! One where the reader feels the wide range of emotions from each character. One where, on the one hand, we would like to reach back in time to tell the Jrwish and Roman rulers Who Jesus is. Don’t ridicule or hurt Him! On the other, we see the prophecies fulfilled through My Savior…Jesus…He Who came to redeem us all.
Jesus still had work to do regardless of the fact that he died for us, the body was left on earth but not the spirit. So, God’s ability to bring people from the dead is real as he’s still lives today and makes miracles happen! Thank you Lord! Amen!
Is it no wonder that where I find peace, where best I lay bare my soul in communion with God, is in the garden. A seed planted, flourishes with life through seasons, then withers, assumed dead, yet it rises again with life anew. Oh, Jesus, your victory is ever my hope!
Thank you for this pause at the garden and comparing it to the garden of Eden. How magnificent You are O Lord. The fullness of You is shown. I can’t wait to walk with You in the garden of heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be. Hallelujah Amen.
A good garden needs sun (Son) ,water (Living Water) and proper nutrients (Bread of Life) . Jesus left that garden for us to grow and live
Enlightening comparison between the garden and future restoration; something to ponder ; excellent symbol!
Amen
Bless it be the name of the Lord. Thank you for the Blood and for your love and kindness . Amen
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Nothing is impossible with God. Jesus suffered a horrible death on the cross for our sins and God brought Him out of the tomb that we may have life and hope through Him.
Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.“
I love this reminder that Jesus gives to Pilate. Even when we think other people have the upper hand over our lives or even when we think we have control over our lives… No one has authority that has not been given to him from above. Jesus is the one ultimately in control and sovereign over all people and events. Even when things don’t make any sense, I choose to believe Him.
Wow! I have read this passage many times and never thought about the garden. While clearly seeing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, I have missed the garden. God placed this little nugget in the story not just as a coincidence, but it has purpose and meaning. Joy comes in the morning. How often have I missed these nuggets? Thank you Abigail O’Neel for sharing this insight.
Thank you Lord for opening or eyes to see your purpose and your glory!
How does the presence of a garden at the site of Jesus’ death subtly communicate God’s redemptive plan? What does this say about God’s ability to bring life from death?
Better idea is that I am going to take in the fact on what Jarrett Stephens talked in a message on the dead brought to life on 8-11-2024, as Jarrett Stephens talked about this. I think that we can also use this message to help us think about this devotion on this message.
RICH, HOPE!
JW
What a reflection and a revelation that I hadn’t even considered until now! A true picture of hope beyond sin and death and the grave — life and fruitfulness exists among and in the midst of darkness and death. That’s who Jesus is!!