Devine Scripture

John 19:17

What does John 19:17 mean?

A plain-English look at John 19:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 19:17 means

The soldiers take Jesus, and He, in profound humility and strength, goes out bearing His own cross to the place called "The place of a skull," known in Hebrew as Golgotha. This act of carrying the crossbeam was a common part of Roman crucifixion. Jesus' willingness to bear His instrument of execution signifies His voluntary submission to God's will and His active participation in His own sacrifice, embodying the innocent lamb being led to the slaughter as predicted in Isaiah 53.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

They took Jesus therefore: and he went out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

They took Jesus therefore: and he went out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he went out with his cross on him to the place which is named Dead Man's Head (in Hebrew, Golgotha):

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and bearing his cross, he went forth to the place called <FI>Place<Fi> of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And bearing his own cross, he went forth to the place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he went out, bearing his cross, to the place called [place] of a skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha;

Context

This verse details the beginning of Jesus' final journey to the crucifixion site, immediately after Pilate delivered Him to be crucified. His carrying of the cross marks the start of the physical process of His execution. This scene will directly transition to the actual crucifixion, setting the stage for the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and death.

v.16Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified.

v.17This passage

v.18where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 15:26

    And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

  • Matthew 16:24

    Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

  • Matthew 27:31

    And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the robe, and put on him his garments, and led him away to crucify him.

  • Mark 15:21

    And they compel one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.

  • Hebrews 13:11

    For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned without the camp.

  • Leviticus 16:21

    and Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a man that is in readiness into the wilderness:

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