Small Group Lesson Plan for October 28th: John 19:17-30
Jake Gilbert — October 24, 2026
Scripture: John 19:17–30
The Crucifixion of Jesus
And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.
Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
Summary:
John describes the crucifixion in a straightforward and deliberate way. Rather than focusing primarily on the emotional details of Jesus’ suffering, he highlights the significance of what took place. Every detail points us toward the fulfillment of Scripture and the completion of Jesus’ mission.
1. Jesus at the Center
John specifically tells us that Jesus was crucified between two others, with Jesus in the center. This detail reminds us that the cross forces us to consider our response to Christ.
In Luke’s account of the crucifixion (Luke 23:39–43), we see two very different responses from the men crucified alongside Jesus. One rejected Him, while the other acknowledged his own guilt and placed his faith in Jesus. Jesus promised the repentant thief that he would be with Him in paradise.
This reminds us that it is never too late to turn to Christ while we still have life. Our past does not have to define our future when we come to Him in repentance and faith.
Which thief represents your response to Jesus? Are you rejecting Him, or are you trusting Him as your Savior?
Jesus also stands at the center of our relationship with God. He is the mediator between God and humanity, and salvation is found through Him alone (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5).
Even our understanding of history is shaped by Christ. His coming, death, and resurrection mark the central turning point of God's redemptive plan. No other person or religious figure occupies that same place in the Christian understanding of salvation.
2. The King of the Jews
Pilate's inscription declared Jesus to be the King of the Jews. Although Pilate may not have intended the sign as a confession of faith, its message proclaimed a truth that the religious leaders could not change.
The chief priests wanted Pilate to revise the wording so that it would appear Jesus had merely claimed to be king. Pilate refused, saying, “What I have written, I have written.”
The soldiers also unknowingly fulfilled Scripture when they divided Jesus’ clothing and cast lots for His tunic. Psalm 22, written centuries earlier, describes details that point us toward the suffering of the Messiah.
Even in the darkest moment, God's purposes were being fulfilled.
3. Love in the Midst of Suffering
Even as Jesus endured the agony of the cross, He remained concerned for others. Seeing His mother standing nearby, He entrusted her care to the disciple He loved.
This moment reveals the depth of Jesus’ love and compassion. His suffering did not cause Him to turn inward or forget those around Him. Even in His final hours, He demonstrated responsibility, tenderness, and sacrificial love.
Jesus’ example challenges us to consider how we treat others when life becomes difficult. It is often easy to show kindness when things are going well. The greater test comes when we are tired, overwhelmed, hurting, or facing our own struggles.
How can we continue to love and care for others even when we are carrying heavy burdens of our own?
4. “It Is Finished!”
As Jesus approached the end of His earthly life, He said, “I thirst!” After receiving the sour wine, He declared, “It is finished!” and gave up His spirit.
These were not words of defeat. They were the declaration that His mission had been accomplished.
David Guzik explains the significance of this final statement, noting that the Greek word tetelestai=(it is finished) conveys the idea of something being completed. Jesus had finished the work the Father had given Him to do. Through His sacrifice, He made the way for forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life for those who put their faith in Him.
The cross was not an accident, nor was it the end of God's plan. Jesus willingly gave Himself to accomplish what we could never accomplish on our own. The debt of sin could not be overcome by our own goodness or efforts; our hope rests in the finished work of Christ.
Jesus did not say, “I am finished.” He said, “It is finished.”
His earthly suffering was ending, but the significance of His sacrifice would continue for eternity. What Jesus accomplished on the cross remains the foundation of our faith, our peace with God, and our hope of salvation.
We do not work to earn the salvation Jesus purchased for us. We respond to His finished work with faith, gratitude, obedience, and a life that reflects His love.
Discussion Questions
1. Jesus bore His own cross on the way to Golgotha. How can His example inspire us in our daily lives today?
What might it look like to carry our responsibilities faithfully at home?
How can we demonstrate patience, integrity, and humility at work, especially when circumstances are difficult?
2. Jesus Between Two Others
What do these two men teach us about faith, repentance, and grace?
Why is it important to remember that it is never too late to turn to Christ while we still have the opportunity?
How does Jesus' position as the only way to the Father shape the way we live and share our faith?
3. “It Is Finished!”
What does Jesus mean when He says, “It is finished”?
What work did Jesus accomplish through His death on the cross?
How does understanding that our salvation rests on Christ's finished work change the way we approach God?
How should this truth influence the way we live, serve others, and respond to God's grace?
Thank you for taking the time to study God's Word together. I welcome your thoughts, questions, and additional insights as we continue to grow in our understanding of Scripture.
Jake Gilbert
Small Group Bible Study | T49B
949-933-8869