Holy Week · Good Friday · Year B

John 19:17-30

The Crucifixion

March 26, 2027

Christ Crucified, Diego Velázquez — **Christ Crucified**, Diego Velázquez, c. 1632Museo del Prado, Madrid · public domain

LSB Three-Year Lectionary

GospelJohn 18:1-19:42 Alt. GospelJohn 19:17-30

EpistleHeb. 4:14-16; 5:7-9

Old TestamentIsa. 52:13-53:12

PsalterPs. 22 Alt. PsalmPs. 31

Overview & Insights

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, It is finished, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

The mention of the soldiers by the NIV in verse 16b makes the natural and probably correct assumption that it was the Roman soldiers of verse 23 who took charge of Jesus . Though the verb took charge is, strictly speaking, used impersonally (i.e., “they” took charge of Jesus , or Jesus “was taken into custody”; see the first note on 18:28), its close link with verse 16a suggests the continuing involvement of the chief priests (and their officials) in all that happened. Clearly, they are present, as is Pilate himself (vv. 19–22). The presence of Roman soldiers is not indicated until verse 23, where the reader finally learns that it was these soldiers who had actually nailed Jesus to the cross (in v. 18).

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further

Commentary

Commentary on John 18:1-19:42 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary's Good Friday commentary covering the whole Johannine passion, including the crucifixion.

John 19 Commentary: Jesus Is Crucified Enduring Word

Verse by verse commentary on the crucifixion, the seamless tunic, and Jesus' last words.

John 19 Commentary Precept Austin

Detailed word-study commentary on the crown of thorns through the finished work on the cross.

John 19:17-37: Explaining (Without Explaining Away) Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Good Friday preaching essay on how John frames the crucifixion with Old Testament quotations.

Background & Word Study

Easter (and Holy Week) in the Biblical Story BibleProject

A guide placing the crucifixion in the Bible's larger Holy Week and Easter storyline.

John Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background course on the Gospel of John, including its passion narrative.

The Church Fathers

John 19 Catena Bible

Patristic comment across the crucifixion narrative, including on 'It is finished.'

Sermons & Reflections

It Is Finished 1517.org

A reflection on the meaning of Christ's last word from the cross in this text.

A Meditation on the Passion of Our Lord according to St. John Gottesdienst

A Lutheran liturgical meditation on John's telling of the crucifixion as Christ's glory.

Podcast

Good Friday - Pr. Will Weedon Issues, Etc.

A Lutheran radio conversation on the meaning and liturgy of Good Friday.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated image index for this reading across the history of Christian art.

A Beginner's Guide to Bach's St. John Passion The Lutheran Witness (LCMS)

An introduction to Bach's setting of this exact Johannine passion text for Good Friday.

Study Hub

John 19 BibleHub

Parallel translations and interlinear Greek for the whole crucifixion chapter.

Questions preachers ask

How does John narrate the crucifixion?

Lifted up between two others, Jesus entrusts his mother to the beloved disciple, thirsts, and finishes the work of salvation with his last breath.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

Full sermons on John 18:1-19:42
Illustrations cleared for use in worship
Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary

Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.