Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
John Ch.19 / 21 Ch.s
JOH:19
* Christ condemned and crucified. (1-18) Christ on the cross.
(19-30) His side pierced. (31-37) The burial of Jesus. (38-42)
#1-18 Little did Pilate think with what holy regard these
sufferings of Christ would, in after-ages, be thought upon and
spoken of by the best and greatest of men. Our Lord Jesus came
forth, willing to be exposed to their scorn. It is good for
every one with faith, to behold Christ Jesus in his sufferings.
Behold him, and love him; be still looking unto Jesus. Did their
hatred sharpen their endeavours against him? and shall not our
love for him quicken our endeavours for him and his kingdom?
Pilate seems to have thought that Jesus might be some person
above the common order. Even natural conscience makes men afraid
of being found fighting against God. As our Lord suffered for
the sins both of Jews and Gentiles, it was a special part of the
counsel of Divine Wisdom, that the Jews should first purpose his
death, and the Gentiles carry that purpose into effect. Had not
Christ been thus rejected of men, we had been for ever rejected
of God. Now was the Son of man delivered into the hands of
wicked and unreasonable men. He was led forth for us, that we
might escape. He was nailed to the cross, as a Sacrifice bound
to the altar. The Scripture was fulfilled; he did not die at the
altar among the sacrifices, but among criminals sacrificed to
public justice. And now let us pause, and with faith look upon
Jesus. Was ever sorrow like unto his sorrow? See him bleeding,
see him dying, see him and love him! love him, and live to him!
#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.
#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, #Ps
34:20|. There was a type of this in the paschal lamb, #Ex
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.
#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, #Isa 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.