Death and Burial John 19:28-42

The Death of Jesus

In verses 28-30, we read the fifth and sixth words from the Seven Last Words of Jesus. The fifth word is "I thirst." John is right, his reference to thirst fulfills the scriptures, but it is also one of the profound sensations of crucifixion. The constant motion, struggle for breath and trauma caused severe dehydration. All four gospels mention that Jesus was offered a hyssop (a sponge with wine vinegar) that helped not only satisfy thirst but dull the pain a bit.

The sixth word is indeed just one word that we translate "It is finished," a word of resignation and triumph at the same time. He has completed the task of dying for the sins of the whole world and making his life a representation of God's alternative kingdom in the world. From here on, it would happen through generations of others. In John's gospel, Jesus dies after saying this word. Other gospels have him saying other things as his last word. The seventh of the Last Words of Jesus comes from Luke's gospel (23:46), "Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit".

Those who died by crucifixion did not bleed to death, but rather suffocated. When they were no longer able to prop themselves up by their legs or arms, they could no longer get their breath. That's why breaking the legs of the crucified would have hastened their demise. But Jesus is already gone. In Mark's gospel, Pilate is surprised Jesus went so quickly. The piercing of Jesus in his side was indeed a fulfillment of scripture (Zechariah 12:10), but the mixture of blood and water was a signal that his suffocation was complete. The mixture was also a signal that the individual had been through severe psychological and emotional trauma. Some scholars have noted that Jesus quite literally "died of a broken heart."

Burial by two Secret Disciples

Joseph of Arimathea (a wealthy secret disciple of Jesus) and Pharisee Nicodeums (now mentioned for the third time in John's gospel) ask for Christ's body and he is the first to be buried in Joseph's family garden tomb. Jesus was buried by Jewish custom (a mumification of sorts) with layered strips of linen that were held together by myrrh and aloes (a paste like substance that both perfumed and formed a shell around his body) with a seperate linen for his face. A similar thing had been done to Lazarus in John 11. Good Friday is now over and the Sabbath (what we call Holy Saturday) has begun. But as the great sermon of Tony Campolo says, "But Sunday's Comin'!"