26 When Jesus then saw His mother , and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby , He said to His mother , " Woman , behold , your son !" 27 Then He said to the disciple , "Behold , your mother !" From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. 28 After this , Jesus , knowing that all things had already been accomplished , to fulfill the Scripture , said , " I am thirsty ." 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth . 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine , He said , " It is finished !" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit .
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 . 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 . 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 . 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 ."
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 . 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 . 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 .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 19:26-46
Commentary on John 19:19-30
(Read John 19:19-30)
Here are some remarkable circumstances of Jesus' death, more fully related than before. Pilate would not gratify the chief priests by allowing the writing to be altered; which was doubtless owing to a secret power of God upon his heart, that this statement of our Lord's character and authority might continue. Many things done by the Roman soldiers were fulfilments of the prophecies of the Old Testament. All things therein written shall be fulfilled. Christ tenderly provided for his mother at his death. Sometimes, when God removes one comfort from us, he raises up another for us, where we looked not for it. Christ's example teaches all men to honour their parents in life and death; to provide for their wants, and to promote their comfort by every means in their power. Especially observe the dying word wherewith Jesus breathed out his soul. It is finished; that is, the counsels of the Father concerning his sufferings were now fulfilled. It is finished; all the types and prophecies of the Old Testament, which pointed at the sufferings of the Messiah, were accomplished. It is finished; the ceremonial law is abolished; the substance is now come, and all the shadows are done away. It is finished; an end is made of transgression by bringing in an everlasting righteousness. His sufferings were now finished, both those of his soul, and those of his body. It is finished; the work of man's redemption and salvation is now completed. His life was not taken from him by force, but freely given up.
Commentary on John 19:31-37
(Read John 19:31-37)
A trial was made whether Jesus was dead. He died in less time than persons crucified commonly did. It showed that he had laid down his life of himself. The spear broke up the very fountains of life; no human body could survive such a wound. But its being so solemnly attested, shows there was something peculiar in it. The blood and water that flowed out, signified those two great benefits which all believers partake of through Christ, justification and sanctification; blood for atonement, water for purification. They both flow from the pierced side of our Redeemer. To Christ crucified we owe merit for our justification, and Spirit and grace for our sanctification. Let this silence the fears of weak Christians, and encourage their hopes; there came both water and blood out of Jesus' pierced side, both to justify and sanctify them. The Scripture was fulfilled, in Pilate's not allowing his legs to be broken, Exodus 12:46. May we ever look to Him, whom, by our sins, we have ignorantly and heedlessly pierced, nay, sometimes against convictions and mercies; and who shed from his wounded side both water and blood, that we might be justified and sanctified in his name.
Commentary on John 19:38-42
(Read John 19:38-42)
Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Christ in secret. Disciples should openly own themselves; yet some, who in lesser trials have been fearful, in greater have been courageous. When God has work to do, he can find out such as are proper to do it. The embalming was done by Nicodemus, a secret friend to Christ, though not his constant follower. That grace which at first is like a bruised reed, may afterward resemble a strong cedar. Hereby these two rich men showed the value they had for Christ's person and doctrine, and that it was not lessened by the reproach of the cross. We must do our duty as the present day and opportunity are, and leave it to God to fulfil his promises in his own way and his own time. The grave of Jesus was appointed with the wicked, as was the case of those who suffered as criminals; but he was with the rich in his death, as prophesied, Isaiah 53:9; these two circumstances it was very unlikely should ever be united in the same person. He was buried in a new sepulchre; therefore it could not be said that it was not he, but some other that rose. We also are here taught not to be particular as to the place of our burial. He was buried in the sepulchre next at hand. Here is the Sun of Righteousness set for a while, to rise again in greater glory, and then to set no more.