JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED

John 19:16b-42

Key Verse: 19:30

* JESUS' CRUCIFIXION (16b-27)

1. Read verse 16. Why did Pilate hand Jesus over to be crucified? How did Jesus respond to the death sentence? (Isa. 53:7) What was the significance of his death? (Read Isa. 53:10; Jn. 1:29)

2. Read 16b-18. Who was crucified with him? Why was this form of death especially shameful? (see Gal. 3:13b for another meaning attached to crucifixion.) Think about Jesus' innocence and shame. What does this mean to us?

3. Read 19 and 20. What inscription did Pilate put over the cross? Why did the Jews want it changed? Why did Pilate refuse to change it? Why is this a fitting title for Jesus? (Isa. 9:6; Jn. 4:22)

4. How did the soldiers participate in Jesus' crucifixion? How did John see their participation? (24)

5. Who of Jesus' friends and loved one were present at the crucifixion? How did Jesus help them? (25-27) What was Jesus thinking about in this time of extreme agony and shame?

* JESUS DIES (28-37)

6. Read verses 28 and 29. Why did Jesus say, "I am thirsty"? (cf. Ps. 69:21) Why did Jesus say, "It is finished"? What can we learn from him in this?

7. What were the other last words Jesus spoke while on the cross? (cf. Mt. 27:46; Lk. 23 :34,43,46) What is so remarkable about each of them? What do we learn about Jesus from these last words when he died?

8. What other details of the crucifixion fulfill Scripture? Why does the author emphasize this? What does this teach us about the death of Jesus?

* JESUS WAS BURIED (38-42)

9. Who was Joseph of Arimathea? Why had he now come forward even to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body? Who was with him? How did they serve Jesus in his death? How had Jesus' death changed them? (cf. Jn. 3 :9-21)

10. What are the facts about Jesus' burial? Why does the author emphasize them? Why is it important to know for sure that Jesus dies, and that his death fulfilled Scripture?