The Roman Soldiers Encounter the King (John 19)
Synopsis After Jesus’ encounter with Pilate, Pilate “hands him over” to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. In John 19:16 it says “the soldiers took charge of Jesus.” What happens next is hardly surprising, knowing the history of the Roman military: a brutal crucifixion. But what happens in this section is also one of the most remarkable moments in all of history. These Roman soldiers follow the orders of their false king to murder their real one.
It’s not a big jump to say that we’re not so unlike them. Romans 4:25 says that Jesus was “delivered over to death for our sins.” For our sins. In some large, cosmic way, we are partly responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross. Much like the soldiers, we are under the delusion that things in this world have power over us and we let them rule us. In doing so, we are putting the nails in Jesus’ hands and feet. The only response to this for us can be repentance.
The passage for this week is John 19:16-30, where we see the soldiers encounter Jesus by crucifying him.
The win this week: 1) Read and reflect on Jesus’ death on the cross through the lens of the Roman soldiers putting him there. 2) Understand our own responsibility in putting Jesus on the cross and the proper response because of it.
Which King is more powerful? Read John 19:16-30
Commentary After Jesus was condemned to death, Pilate hands Jesus to the Roman soldiers. The Roman soldiers are un-named and we’re not told how many there are. But they have a very important role in the plot—they have to crucify Jesus. John’s whole narrative is one that has been passion-focused (“passion” meaning Jesus’ march to the cross). It is foreshadowing the crucifixion. At the end of the very first chapter, John the Baptist says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Being the good Jews that they were, John’s listeners would have known what a lamb taking away sins would be—sacrificial. In Judaism, animals would be sacrificed to God to atone for the sins of the people. It was a regular occurrence for priests in the religion. Yet here John tells us from the beginning who Jesus is: he is the one who will be sacrificed to atone for our sins. Yet with all this
John Page 22 of 29 foreshadowing and all this movement towards the crucifixion, the actual killing happens in this phrase: “There they crucified him, and with him two others” (John 19:18).
The “they” in verse 18 is of course the soldiers. There “they” crucified him. In this section, we see a mockery being made of Jesus’ supposed “Kingdom.” Pilate posts a sign on the cross that says “King of the Jews.” The soldiers play games to see who gets his clothes. On the surface, Jesus seems to be a false King. The soldiers may even seem justified in their actions of crucifixion. But of course we later see in their resurrection that Jesus’ claims turn out to be right in the end.
Kingship is more than taking power for yourself. It is self-sacrificial. By allowing himself to be crucified for the sins of the people (even those soldiers putting him on the cross), Jesus performs the most Kingly act ever. He shows himself to be the true King. Worldly Kings might feel immortal but they never are. They conquer empires. Some get close to conquering the world. Jesus conquered death.
In the Roman soldiers, we see one of the first acts of rebellion in the Kingdom of Jesus. They falsely believe that they ought to have allegiance to earthly King, and in doing so crucify Jesus. They take the orders from Pilate and ultimately kill their rightful King. Our behaviors are similar enough. It might not be Pilate or a Roman emperor, but we still bow before our own earthly Kings. Sometimes it’s pleasure or making money or even protecting our family. Sometimes we might even think our King is being a good Christian and reading the Bible and praying more than anyone else. But any other King than Jesus is a false King. And if we place our allegiance there instead of King Jesus, we become, with the Roman soldiers, crucifi-ers. Jesus calls us to be crucifi-ees.
A further problem arises: we have all rebelled. We have all worshipped at the foot of another King. It is a frightening and horrifying thought. But God gives us grace. He allows us to turn from our ways and worship him instead. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul says “Godly sorrow leads to repentance that leads to salvation.” Repentance is not just a big term for saying sorry, it denotes a turning away from our old ways and moving toward another path: the path of God. It’s starts first with a recognition (like the Roman Centurion in Matthew 27:54) of who Jesus is: Jesus is the only true King.
A further point for discussion: The infamous emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, though he is not known to have been a Christian, made this remarkable statement:
“I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creation of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.”
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What does Napoleon mean by this and why is this a significant quote? How does this relate to our discussion? How is this applicable to college students?
Questions
In John 19:25-27, what happens? Why does Jesus take his last few minutes to say this?
When Jesus says “it is finished,” what is he referring to?
Two different times in this section of verses does John refer to Jesus fulfilling prophecy. Why does he do this? Why is that important?
Application Questions
Do you think it is fair to compare yourself to the Roman soldiers? Why or why not?
Jesus Kingship requires complete devotion and allegiance. What does this mean for our allegiance to our country? Other causes? Is it ok to say “the Pledge of Allegiance” to the American flag?
What are other common “kings” in American culture that take the rightful place of Jesus’ Kingship?
When we realize we, like the Roman soldiers, have another king before Jesus, there is only one correct response: repentance. What does this word mean and why is it important? (This quote from NT Wright would be very helpful to read and discuss in group. Only read from the top half.)
What are the consequences of making something else our king? What will happen to us both in the immediate and in the future?
What does the crucifixion tells us about Jesus Kingship and his Kingdom? What kind of kingdom is it?
Many people have been crucified. Tradition says that even Peter was crucified upside down. Some Christians have even died more horrible deaths, and have done so with bravery and without asking for a way out. Yet Christians often appeal to Jesus’ resurrection as the most tortuous event ever. Why do you think that is?
John Page 24 of 29 “If we put our allegiance somewhere else beside the true King, Jesus, we become ‘crucifi-ers’ instead of ‘crucifi-ees’ like Jesus calls us to.” What does this mean? Do you agree?
How can we try to live a good Christian life (reading our Bible, praying, evangelizing, etc.) without making that the main goal of our life or without letting that become an idol?
Put yourselves in the disciples shoes for a moment. Do you think it would have been easier or more difficult to accept Jesus as King after watching him be crucified (pre-resurrection)? Why or why not?
Though many Jews did (and have) converted, why do you think so many Jews still reject Jesus if he fulfilled these prophecies?
How do we let Jesus be King over our whole lives and not just part of our lives? What are practical steps we can take?
Why is the cross considered such an important symbol in Christianity? Which event is more important: the crucifixion or resurrection? What does each event mean to people today?
Resource Toolbox
Matt Chandler on Repentance N.T. Wright on Repentance N.T. Wright “Jesus, Israel, and the Cross” The Village Church on Repentance Tim Keller on Repentance
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