Pilate tried several times to release Jesus. He had Him flogged, hoping that would satisfy the crowd. The soldiers mocked Jesus as a king with a crown of thorns and a purple robe. Pilate brought Him out and said, Behold, the man! The leaders cried, Crucify! They said Jesus claimed to be God's Son. When they said Pilate would be no friend of Caesar, Pilate gave in.

Jesus went out carrying His cross to the Place of a Skull, called Golgotha. Pilate's sign, in three languages, called Jesus the King of the Jews. John records that the soldiers gambled for His clothing and that Jesus' thirst fulfilled Scripture. Even in pain, Jesus loved His mother and gave her into the care of the disciple whom He loved.

Then Jesus said, It is finished. It means completed. (Some say it was also used for debts paid.) Jesus completed the work the Father gave Him. He paid for sin. He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. None of His bones were broken, like the Passover lamb. Two secret disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, now honored Him openly. They buried Him in a new tomb in a garden. But three days later, the tomb was empty. Jesus is alive! (John 20)

John 19 tells of Jesus' death with careful attention to fulfilled Scripture. Pilate tried to free Jesus. He had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown and mocked Him as king. Pilate presented Him, saying, Behold, the man! and then, Behold, your King! The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. At about the sixth hour on the day of preparation, when the Passover lambs were being prepared, Pilate handed Jesus over.

Jesus went out bearing His cross to Golgotha. Pilate's title, written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek, proclaimed Him King of the Jews to the whole world. The soldiers divided His garments and cast lots for His tunic, fulfilling Psalm 22. Near the cross stood His mother and other women with the beloved disciple. Jesus entrusted His mother to that disciple. Knowing that all was now finished, He said, I am thirsty, fulfilling Scripture.

Then Jesus said, It is finished. He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit. The Greek word means completed or accomplished. (Some say it was also used for debts paid.) The work of salvation was accomplished. A soldier pierced His side, and blood and water came out. The eyewitness who saw it insists this is true so that you may believe. Not a bone was broken, like the Passover lamb, and they looked on Him whom they pierced, as Zechariah foretold. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Him with about a hundred pounds of spices in a new tomb in a garden. Some Christians see the garden as a reminder of Eden. And the story was not over: three days later the tomb was empty (John 20).