This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled. (John 19:24)
Expanded Passage: John 19:23-24
You are watching a movie that was made based on a book. You have not read the book, but your friend who is with you in the theater has. Suddenly, your friend whispers in your ear: “Pay attention to this. This is a central part in the book.” You continue to watch the movie while telling yourself: “I should probably read the book.”
The scene at the foot of the cross is infuriating. The cruel executioners had already ridiculed Jesus by clothing him with a purple robe—a sign of royalty—and crowning him with twisted thorns. Now, they were dividing his garments and gambling to see who would keep his tunic. Jesus was not only tortured, but also dispossessed of everything and exposed to public humiliation.
It seems as if, right at this point of the story, the author leans toward his audience and whispers: “Pay attention to the poem.” He refers to a poem written by David (Psalm 22). Those who have read the book understand that King David, to whom God promised an heir who would be king forever, wrote about the suffering of a righteous one. It now becomes clear: Jesus is both the suffering one and the promised king. He hangs on the cross, not as the victim of some soldiers’ game, but as the faithful keeper of God’s promises.
Meditate on the texts that say Scripture has been fulfilled.
Luigi Peñaranda is the former director of graduate programs in Spanish at Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
