After Jesus surrendered his Spirit and breathed his last, the Gospel of John continues to tell us what happened next. The chief priests went to Pilate and basically demanded that the three malefactors be removed from the crosses. This is the scene:
For the last three hours, it has been dark. It was dark for as far as the eye could see. No sun, no moon, no stars. The only light was the fire-light from torches and lamps. There was, therefore, no way to know what time it was. Sundials do not work in the dark. Therefore the chief priests were concerned that the people would remain on the cross past sundown.
This is a problem. Deuteronomy 21:22-23 gives the Law concerning hanging someone on a tree. Capital offenders will hang on a tree until sundown. Hanging on a tree was a sign of being cursed by God. If the person hung on the tree past sundown, the whole land would be defiled.
In our passage, the day is Friday. Saturday started at sundown. Saturday was a double holy day: Sabbath and Passover. If these three men remained on their cross (tree) past sundown, the entire city of Jerusalem would be defiled. They would not be allowed to participate in the double holy sabbath/passover. So the priests were almost frantic, to be sure, not knowing what time it was and not wanting Jerusalem to be defiled. Then, in an instant, the lights come on again. The priests get their bearings and are relieved that they have a few hours before sundown.
The Roman guards break the legs of the two thieves, causing death instantly. When they come to Jesus, they find he is already dead. To make sure, one guard shoves a spear into his side. Blood and water flow from the gaping wound. Jesus is totally and completely dead. The Gnostics cannot claim that Jesus was a spirit. He is dead.
John then states that even in death Jesus fulfills 2 Scriptures. Psalm 34:20 states that no bones would be broken. This is also a reference to Jesus being the passover lamb, which could have no broken bones. Additionally Zechariah 12:10 is a Messianic prophecy which states that this day, the day referenced in John 19:31, is a day of mourning, as we look on him who has been pierced. Jesus Christ is that man.
John then states three times that what he has witnessed is true. What has he witnessed? The atonement of people’s sin. The creation of the New Covenant. The salvation of billions of people through the blood of Christ and the death of Christ on the cross. John stood there while the sins of the elect were dumped on Christ and then the complete and full wrath of God for those people was poured out of Christ. It was dark, cold and gloomy as the salvation of the elect was worked out on the cross. Then it was over, the lights came back on and frantic activity ensued as these three people were removed from the cross. The work was done, the atonement was paid and salvation was secured. Now on the third day, Christ will rise again.
For the last three hours, it has been dark. It was dark for as far as the eye could see. No sun, no moon, no stars. The only light was the fire-light from torches and lamps. There was, therefore, no way to know what time it was. Sundials do not work in the dark. Therefore the chief priests were concerned that the people would remain on the cross past sundown.
In our passage, the day is Friday. Saturday started at sundown. Saturday was a double holy day: Sabbath and Passover. If these three men remained on their cross (tree) past sundown, the entire city of Jerusalem would be defiled. They would not be allowed to participate in the double holy sabbath/passover. So the priests were almost frantic, to be sure, not knowing what time it was and not wanting Jerusalem to be defiled. Then, in an instant, the lights come on again. The priests get their bearings and are relieved that they have a few hours before sundown.
The Roman guards break the legs of the two thieves, causing death instantly. When they come to Jesus, they find he is already dead. To make sure, one guard shoves a spear into his side. Blood and water flow from the gaping wound. Jesus is totally and completely dead. The Gnostics cannot claim that Jesus was a spirit. He is dead.
John then states that even in death Jesus fulfills 2 Scriptures. Psalm 34:20 states that no bones would be broken. This is also a reference to Jesus being the passover lamb, which could have no broken bones. Additionally Zechariah 12:10 is a Messianic prophecy which states that this day, the day referenced in John 19:31, is a day of mourning, as we look on him who has been pierced. Jesus Christ is that man.
John then states three times that what he has witnessed is true. What has he witnessed? The atonement of people’s sin. The creation of the New Covenant. The salvation of billions of people through the blood of Christ and the death of Christ on the cross. John stood there while the sins of the elect were dumped on Christ and then the complete and full wrath of God for those people was poured out of Christ. It was dark, cold and gloomy as the salvation of the elect was worked out on the cross. Then it was over, the lights came back on and frantic activity ensued as these three people were removed from the cross. The work was done, the atonement was paid and salvation was secured. Now on the third day, Christ will rise again.
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