Justin Houtz

1 Chronicles 9, John 19

DateVersionReading Plan
December 13, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

1 Chronicles 9

Observation & Interpretation

The Chronicler records that the Israelite genealogies are also written in the book of the Kings of Israel (1 Chron. 9:1). The first to dwell again in their possessions were the priests, Levites and temple servants of Israel. “The decree to return, issued by Cyrus of Persia, directed that they should rebuild the temple (2Ch 36:23). It was natural that most of these people would be directly associated with the temple: priests, Levites, and temple servants.” (CSB Notes)

Starting with v. 10, we read of the genealogy of priests (1 Chron. 9:10-13), Levites (1 Chron. 9:14-16) and the gatekeepers (1 Chron. 9:17-27). Additional details of their genealogy, their responsibilities and where they lived (Jerusalem) are provided in v. 28-34. Concluding the chapter is a repeated genealogy of Saul beginning with Gibeon (1 Chron. 9:35-44).

Application

The the people of Israel, physical descent and covenantal relationship belonged together. For Christians, it is right to remember and honor our parents and previous generations, but there is also much value in remembering our spiritual forebears, naming them and telling the story. The “cloud of witnesses” of Hebrews 12:1 is now greatly extended: Chronicles encourages remembering both globally (”the twelve sons of Israel”) and locally (the “sons of” that I belong to). (ESVEC – Response)

John 19

Observation & Interpretation

Still in the custody of Pilate, Jesus was taken and flogged (John 19:1). The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns, placed it on Jesus’ head and arrayed him in a purple robe as a means of mocking His Kingship (John 19:2-3). Pilate again brought Jesus before the people and said that he found no guilt in him (John 19:4). Upon seeing Jesus, the chief priests and officers cried out for Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19:6). Pilate told them to take Jesus themselves and crucify him and they answered that He was to be crucified because He had made Himself the Son of God (John 19:7). This made Pilate more afraid and he asked Jesus where He was from, but He gave no answer (John 19:9). Pilate questioned Jesus’ lack of response and told Him that he held the authority to crucify Him (John 19:10). Jesus told Pilate that he would have no such power unless it had been given him from above (John 19:11). Pilate remained unconvinced of Jesus’ guilt and sought to release Him, but succumbed to the pressure of the Jews, resulting in Jesus being delivered over to be crucified (John 19:12-16).

Jesus was taken to the place called The Place of a Skull (called Golgotha in Aramaic) where He was crucified (John 19:16-17). He was crucified with two others, one on each side. “Jesus’s crucifixion between two criminals is reminiscent of Ps 22:16: ‘A gang of evildoers has closed in on me.’ The passage also echoes Is 53:12: ‘counted among the rebels.’” (CSB Notes). Pilate wrote an inscription and placed it on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (John 19:19). The chief priests had issue with this and insisted that it rather read, “This man said, I am King of the Jews.” However, Pilate answered that what was written would remain (John 19:21-22).

The soldiers divided Jesus’ garments into four parts, one for each of them (John 19:23). “Here we find them dividing Christ’s garments among themselves. Apparently there were five pieces altogether. They divided four, but there was still the tunic, which was without seam and could not be cut up without making it worthless.” (BBC). Standing by the cross was Jesus’ mother and mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene (John 19:26). When Jesus saw them, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” (John 19:27). The “son” was a reference to the Apostle John. “Jesus here instructed John to care for Mary as if she were his own mother. John obeyed and took Mary to his own home.” (BBC).

Knowing that it was finished, Jesus said, “I thirst” (John 19:28). This was to fulfill Scripture, “most likely in allusion to Ps 69:21: “They gave me vinegar to drink” (cp. Mt 27:34, 48; see Ps 22:15).” (CSB Notes). A sponge full of sour wine—taken from a jar full of sour wine that was there—was placed on hyssop branch and was held to Jesus mouth. When He received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished”, and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit (John 19:30).

To prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to expedite their deaths by breaking their legs (John 19:31). However, when they came to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead and did not break His legs (John 19:33). One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side and out flowed blood and water (John 19:34). “The flow of blood and water proved that Jesus was dead (1Jn 5:6–8).” (CSB Notes). John then brings himself into the narrative, giving attribution to his witness that he is telling the truth so that the reader of his letter would believe (John 19:35). John connects the events to Scripture that not one of Jesus’ bones would be broken (ref. Exod. 12:46) and “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” (ref. Zech. 12:10).

Following Jesus’ death, two men come into the fore: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus (for fear of the Jews) and asked Pilate that he might take the body of Jesus, a request for which Pilate granted (John 19:38). Nicodemus, who had previously come to Jesus by night, brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes (about 75 lbs.) to anoint the body of Jesus (John 19:39). This was a considerable quantity and “May have been used to embalm His body and linen shroud.” (FSB). There was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified and, in the garden, a new tomb in which no had been laid (John 19:41). Due to it being the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was close at hand, Jesus’ body was laid there (John 19:42).

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