PROPHECIES FULFILLED IN DEATH
John 19:31-37
John records the aftermath of Jesus’ crucifixion, emphasizing the fulfillment of Scripture and the certainty of His death. This passage follows the climactic moment in which Jesus declared, "It is finished," bowed His head, and gave up His spirit (John 19:28–30). The preceding verses highlight Jesus’ sovereign control over His own death, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the completion of His redemptive work. A consistent theme throughout John 19 is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. It reveals that every event, from Jesus' trial to His death, occurred according to God’s plan. This theme carries into the actions of the Roman soldiers who unknowingly fulfill Scripture: Jesus’ bones remain unbroken (Psalm 34:20, Exodus 12:46), and His side is pierced (Zechariah 12:10). The author affirms the historical and physical reality of Jesus' death, debunking later theories that He only fainted on the cross. John's eyewitness testimony (John 19:35) directs the reader to believe in the truth of Christ’s sacrificial death.
