BIG IDEA:
PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT AND DEDICATED DEVOTION CONTINUES AS JESUS’ BODY IS PREPARED FOR BURIAL
(:31) INTRODUCTION: URGENCY OF BURIAL
“The Jews therefore, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day) asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.”
Ryrie: “The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread fell that year on a Sabbath, making it a ‘high’ festival (Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:7). They were anxious that the body not remain on the cross.
‘their legs might be broken” – This was done to hasten death, since the victim could no longer raise himself up on the nail through his feet in order to allow himself to breathe.”
I. (:32-37) PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT CONTINUES AS JESUS’ BODY IS PREPARED FOR BURIAL – Two very specific Prophecies
A. (:32-34) The Fulfillment of the Two Prophecies
1. (:32-33) No Bones Broken
a. Expected that Death would need to be Hastened
“The soldiers therefore came, and broke the legs of the first man, and of the other man who was crucified with Him;”
b. Extraordinary that Jesus (the Strongest of all Men) would Die First
“but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs”
2. (:34) Pierced for Confirmation of Death
“but one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately there came out blood and water.”
B. (:35-37) The Resulting Testimony to the Truth Designed to Elicit Faith
1. (:35) The Credibility of John’s Testimony
“And he who has seen has borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.”
2. (:36) Fulfillment of the Prophecy of No Bones Broken
“For these things came to pass, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, ‘Not a bone of Him shall be broken.’”
Ex. 12:46; Num. 9:12; Ps.34:20
3. (:37) Fulfillment of the Prophecy of the Piercing
“And again another Scripture says, ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced.’”
Zech. 12:10
II. (:38-42) DEDICATED DEVOTION CONTINUES AS JESUS’ BODY IS PREPARED FOR BURIAL – Two very dedicated and devoted Disciples –
both members of the Sanhedrin
A. (:38) Dedicated Devotion on the Part of Joseph of Arimathea
“And after these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. He came therefore, and took away His body.”
B. (:39-40) Dedicated Devotion on the Part of Nicodemus
“And Nicodemus came also, who had first come to Him by night; bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. And so they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.”
C. (:41-42) Jesus’ Body Laid in New Tomb
“Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore on account of the Jewish day of preparation, because the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”
“day of preparation” – this phrase serves as bookends for beginning and end of this section (vs. 31)
Pink: Here was the third conclusive proof that the Lord Jesus actually died—He was buried. He who had been born of a virgin mother, was laid in a virgin grave; there to remain for three days when He came forth as the mighty Victor