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Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 19:19-22

John 19:19-22. And Pilate wrote a title, &c. The governor, as usual, put a title or writing on the cross, signifying the crime for which Jesus was condemned. This writing probably was in black characters on a whitened board. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS Here, as Bengelius has observed, John gives us the very words ordered to be written by Pilate, (and without doubt the same in the three languages,) although the other evangelists do not express them at... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - John 19:18-24

158. The crucifixion (Matthew 27:33-44; Mark 15:22-32; Luke 23:32-43; John 19:18-24)Golgotha, the place of Jesus’ crucifixion, was a hill beside a main road just outside Jerusalem. The procession arrived there about 9 a.m. (Matthew 27:33; Mark 15:25). (It is difficult to calculate the exact times of all the incidents that took place on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. People in those days did not carry clocks, and the times given in the Gospels are only approximate. In some cases the writers may... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - John 19:21

the chief priests of the Jews . This expression occurs only here. They were no longer God's priests. not . Greek. ou. App-105 . he = that fellow. Greek. ekeinos. Spoken with contempt. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - John 19:21

The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am the King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.The King of the Jews ... Thus the chief priests also gave an abbreviated summary of the inscription. The diabolical murder of Jesus backfired upon the perpetrators of it. Events were not turning out at all as they had planned. Pilate's inscription was being painted in blood upon every conscience; and the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - John 19:19-22

John 19:19-22. And Pilate wrote a title,— The governor, as usual, put up a title or writing on the cross, signifying the crime for which Jesus was condemned: this writing was in black characters, on a whitened board, and in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages, that foreigners, as well as natives, might be able to read it. All the evangelists have given an account of the title, but the words of it are different in each: the difference however may easily have arisen from the languages in which... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 19:17-30

D. Jesus’ crucifixion 19:17-30The unique material in John’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion includes the controversy about the superscription over Jesus’ cross (John 19:19-22) and several references to the fulfillment of prophecy (John 19:24; John 19:28-29; cf. John 19:36-37). John was also the only Gospel writer to record Jesus’ care for His mother (John 19:25-27), His sixth cry before His death (John 19:30), and the piercing of His side (John 19:34). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 19:19-22

3. The inscription over Jesus’ cross 19:19-22 (cf. Matthew 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38)John evidently included the controversy about the inscription over Jesus’ cross because it underlines the Jews’ deliberate and conscious repudiation of and the true identity of God’s Son. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - John 19:21-22

The chief priests’ emendation of the title would have robbed Pilate of this last chance to humiliate the Jews. He had already conceded once to their request, but he refused to give them the satisfaction of robbing him of this revenge. Ironically what Pilate let stand was the exact truth. He had unwittingly become God’s herald of His redemptive purpose. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - John 19:1-42

The Crucifixion. The Burial1-3. Inside the Prætorium. Scourging and mockery by the soldiers (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15). It might be supposed from Mt and Mk that the scourging was only the ordinary preliminary to a Roman execution, but Luke 23:16 suggests that it was an act of mercy to Jesus intended to save His life. This the Fourth Gospel fully confirms, showing how Pilate tried to work upon the compassion of the multitude. The present narrative elucidates, without in any way contradicting,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - John 19:21

(21) Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate.—Better, Therefore said . . ., i.e., because the inscription could be read by all comers, and the Messianic title, “King of the Jews,” would be exposed to scorn. Yet these are the men who said, in order to accomplish the death of Jesus, “We have no king but Cæsar.”The expression, “chief priests of the Jews,” occurs only here in the New Testament, perhaps in contrast to the title, “King of the Jews,” to indicate that their anxiety about the... read more

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