John 19:25-30
 
John 19:25 (KJB)
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
 
Here we have the four women who were standing by the cross of Jesus. The first one was His mother Mary, and then there was Mary’s sister, the earthly aunt of Jesus, then the third woman was Mary the wife of Cleophas was the mother of James the less. (Mark 15:40 KJV) There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Then there was Mary Magdalene. Some believe there may have only been three women present and that may be a possibility but the chance that a father would name two daughters with the same name is very slim to none.
 
John 19:26 (KJB)
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
 
Here Jesus is still caring for His earthly mother in that John will now be taking care of her. He commends her to the care of John for the rest of her earthly life. It is believed that Joseph had died previously and that Mary was a widow and normally family took care of widows but the prospect of the half-brothers of Jesus admitting that they were half-brothers would probably not happen because if they identified with Him, then they probably thought they would face the same penalty as Jesus did. It seems that later on only Jude was the one who became saved and penned the book of Jude under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
 
John 19:27 (KJB)
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
 
Then John took Mary as if she was his own mother and took care of her. Remember it was John who may have come from a wealthy family and had the means to take care of Mary. He personally knew the High Priest which meant there was some type of affluence present in his life. Jesus wanted to leave the care of His earthly mother to someone He knew that He could trust.
 
John 19:28 (KJB)
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
 
Accomplished - Have been finished
 
(Psa 22:15 KJV) My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. Jesus was now very close to death as he fulfills another prophecy showing His humanity. The ordeal He has gone through would have created tremendous thirst in His body. He knew at this time that all things were now finished. He had paid for the penalty for the sins of the Elect and now God’s salvation plan was complete.
 
John 19:29 (KJB)
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
 
The vinegar could either have been vinegar or a sour wine. It is not known if this was there for the prisoners or if it was there for the soldiers to drink, in which case it would have been a wine for them to pass the hours. If it was vinegar, then it would have been for the purpose of increasing the thirst of the prisoner thus intensifying their agony. (Exo 12:22 KJV) And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. As hyssop was used in the Passover in Egypt, it was also used in the crucifixion of Christ, our Passover.
 
John 19:30 (KJB)
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
 
It is Finished - It is accomplished - same word as in verse 28 for accomplished
 
God’s salvation plan was finally completed as the penalty for the sins of all the Elect have now been paid. Jesus had refused to drink the wine which He was given. (Mark 15:23 KJV) And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. This wine was supposed to have a drug effect on the prisoner thus lessening the pain as they progress toward death. As soon as Jesus gave up the ghost, in His spirit essence He went into the presence of His Father. (Luke 23:46 KJV) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Jesus did not go to hell to preach to the captives. Read my study “Did the Lord Jesus Christ go to hell?” at: www.scionofzion.com/dtljcgth.htm

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