The Final Hour (John 19:28-37)

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28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think Jesus cried “I thirst” before giving up His Spirit?

  2. In what ways do we try and protect our image like the Jews who wanted Jesus off the cross so they could celebrate the Sabbath?

  3. What two quotes does John say Jesus fulfills in verses 36-37? Do you believe Jesus fulfilled them?

  4. Why does John want us to see that every minute detail of Jesus’ crucifixion was a fulfillment of Scripture?

The Final Hour (John 19:16-27)

So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, 24 so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,

“They divided my garments among them,
    and for my clothing they cast lots.”

So the soldiers did these things, 25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

The Final Hour (John 19:7-16)

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7 The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.”8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

12 From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” 13 So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. 14 Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”15 They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” 16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

Discussion Questions:

  1. The Jews understood that Jesus’ actions were God-like actions (Jn. 3:2), and they understood Jesus was claiming to be God (Jn. 19:7). Yet, they’re still choosing to crucify Jesus. How does this show us that “knowing things about Jesus is not the same thing as submitting to Jesus as Lord?” 

  2. How is Jesus’ response to Pilate in verse 11 an example of how we should treat our governing authorities?

  3. The Jews are rushing to get Jesus crucified so that they can observe the Sabbath at sundown. How is this an example of hypocrisy? What are some ways that we do something similar in our own lives?

  4. How do both Pilate and the Jews forsake the truth about Jesus in order to preserve their own kingdom here? How is that a warning for us today?

  5. Which kingdom do you find yourself giving your time, effort, and resources to building up: yours or Jesus’?

The Final Hour (John 18:38-19:6)

“38 After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

1 Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. 2 And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. 3 They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. 4 Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” 6 When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.”

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does Pilate make abundantly clear about Jesus in John 18:38b; 19:4, and 19:6? Why does John want us to know this?

  2. Who is Barabbas according to Luke 23:19; Mark 15:6-7; Acts 3:14; and Matt 27:16? Why is this important?

  3. How does this passage communicate to us the gospel?

The Final Hour (John 18:28-38)

Discussion Questions:

1. The Jewish leaders, in their hypocrisy, tried to use the law to justify themselves while also trying to execute Jesus. In what ways do we use the law to serve ourselves today? How do we guard ourselves from acting in this way?

2. How does the story of the bronze serpent from the OT foreshadow Jesus’s work on the cross? What does it look like “to lift up the son of man” in regards to our evangelism?

3. How does Jesus’s display of power when facing Pilate and the religious leaders compare to the way the world views power? Should this change the way we address conflict in general and in our work for the kingdom?

The Final Hour (John 18:12-27)

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12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is Jesus bound in chains not a sign of weakness or immorality, but rather a sign of his power and goodness?

  2. How do these verses teach us that Jesus is better? Why is that important?

  3. How does Peter’s life teach us that “repeated sin does not disqualify you from being used by God?” How is that comforting for us as believers? What should be our response when we do sin?

  4. Is there any sin that you are currently struggling with?

The Final Hour (John 18:1-11)

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Discussion Questions:

  1. In verse 4, Jesus knows all things that are going to happen, how does this bring comfort and hope to us today?

  2. How does this passage emphasize John’s description of Jesus as the Good Shepherd?

  3. Why is Jesus drinking the cup that is referenced in verse 11 so significant?

  4. What truths from this passage reframe the way we view our own suffering?

The High Priestly Prayer (John 17:20-23)

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Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is Jesus praying for in these verses? How does it make you feel when you hear Jesus prayed for you?

  2. How can we experience the unity that Jesus is praying for here?

  3. Why does Jesus want all believers to be one?

  4. Discuss how “unity does not equal uniformity.” Why is diversity important within the church?

  5. According to this passage, how can you be a testimony of God’ love to the world? 

The High Priestly Prayer (John 17:13-19)

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But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the difference between joy and happiness? Would you rather have happiness or joy? And why would you rather have one or the other?

  2. Why is Jesus’ joy a fulfilling joy?

  3. Why do you think Jesus speaks about joy the closer he gets to the cross?

  4. Why do we chase the world sometimes instead of the word?

  5. How do we deal with being “in the world but not of the world?”

The High Priestly Prayer (John 17:6-12)

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6 "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

Discussion Questions:

Outline and summarize Jesus’ prayer here in these verses.

What do we learn about prayer through Jesus' prayer in John 17:6-12?

What is the first request Jesus makes on behalf of His disciples?

How is Jesus’ prayer here comforting for us as believers? 

What do these verses teach us about discipleship?

Hope? (John 16:25-33)

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“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Discussion Questions:

  1. The Bible is written in many different figures of speech. What parts are really difficult to understand? Why doesn’t God just tell us the full story in a straight forward and easy to understand way?

  2. What significance do verses 26-27 have for how we should pray?

  3. How do we know that God hears our prayers?

  4. If you or a friend is suffering, how can verses 32-33 be helpful?

Hope? (John 16:16-24)

John 16:16-24:

16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is Jesus telling his disciples in verse 16?

  2. How do Jesus’ words in these verses reassure the disciples despite the pain and suffering to come? How is this also true of all who hope in Jesus?

  3. How does looking to the cross and empty tomb encourage and cultivate joy during all circumstances?

  4. What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?

The Coming Persecution (John 15:26-16:4)

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Discussion Questions:

  1. What have we been seeing Jesus prepare his disciples for in the past three weeks? How does this fit with your idea of following Jesus? How does it fit with modern health, wealth, and prosperity gospels?

  2. What testimony is the Holy Spirit giving? Where is he fixing our eyes and directing us to place our faith, hope, and security? Why is listening to his witness so crucial in everyday life and especially in suffering and persecution?

  3. Why did Jesus warn his disciples about their upcoming persecution (16:1,4)? Why is that important?

The Coming Persecution (John 15:18-20)

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Discussion Questions:

  1. As we begin to live out, apply, and proclaim the hope of the gospel to the world, what does Jesus prepare us for in John 15:18-20?

  2. Why does the world hate those who abide in Jesus?

  3. How does the fact that God came and suffered for us comfort us whenever we experience persecution?

  4. We learned on Sunday that “being rejected by the world does not mean that we are rejected by God.” How does God’s unconditional love for us comfort us in the face of rejection by the world?

The True Vine (John 15:9-17)

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Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean to abide in Jesus?

  2. Describe the difference from obedience to earn love and obedience as a response to love.

  3. Read 1 John 3:11-24. What similarities do you see between 1 John 3 and John 15? What are some tangible ways that we can love one another?

  4. Jesus, in John 15:12-13, calls his disciples to love one another as he has loved them. This assumes that Christians ought to be willing to serve like Christ and be served like Christ. Why is it so difficult for us to be served sometimes?

  5. What does it mean that God chose us rather than we choose him? Why does Jesus say that God chooses people?