The King Of The Jews
THE KING OF THE JEWS
JOHN 19:17-22
The struggle between the two ideas of kingship is ended with apparent victory for the rulers of this world.
The struggle between the two ideas of kingship is ended with apparent victory for the rulers of this world. The argument concerning the truth is over, with the One who is true falsely charged and sentenced, and the truth only shining out of the narrative unintentionally or ironically. The decision has been made on the human level and now comes the action.
Jesus went out carrying his own cross to Golgotha. There he was crucified with two others, who were possibly associates of Barabbas in his terrorist activity. So radically was Jesus misunderstood that they numbered the sinless One among the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12), they crucified One whose kingship was not of this world, and who abhorred the use of violence, between two violent criminals.
There must be a reason why a man should receive the sentence of crucifixion. Pilate, therefore, will have the last grim laugh. This is “The King of the Jews.” So the title goes up in the three important languages of the day. Aramaic (rather than Hebrew) was the language of the Jews, Greek and Latin the official languages of the empire. The message of the cross is proclaimed to his own people and to the world, of which he is the Savior (4:42). So far as Pilate is concerned he is Jesus of Nazareth, a description such as any of his subjects might have. To that is added, in scorn of the whole business, the title of king. The Jews, who have just declared that they have no king but Caesar (19:15), naturally object. To show that he was a false Messianic pretender would hurt no one, as this did. But Pilate stands firm and the title, unwittingly given remains. So in the end did they take him by force to make him King (6:15).
Notes 19:17: “bearing his own cross.” It is possible to harmonize this with Mark 15:21. John is emphasizing that Jesus goes alone to accomplish the world’s salvation. (Cf. also Isaac carrying the wood for his own sacrifice—Genesis 22:6.) “Golgotha”—the derivation of the name is uncertain and its location is not sure. 19:19: Pilate had already used this title five times. The Jews refuse to use it (cf. 19:12, a king). In a sense it is a more limited title than “the King of Israel” (1:49; 12:13); and all the more ironic for the way in which “the Jews” have been so opposed to him in the Gospel. He is still King whatever men’s response. 19:21: Jesus had, in fact, never said this.