John 18:32
That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγος
the saying
G3056
λόγος
the saying
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
3 of 13
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 13
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
πληρωθῇ
might be fulfilled
G4137
πληρωθῇ
might be fulfilled
Strong's:
G4137
Word #:
6 of 13
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
ὃν
which
G3739
ὃν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
7 of 13
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ποίῳ
what
G4169
ποίῳ
what
Strong's:
G4169
Word #:
10 of 13
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
θανάτῳ
death
G2288
θανάτῳ
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
11 of 13
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Matthew 26:2Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.Matthew 20:19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.John 3:14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:Mark 10:33Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:John 8:28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.Deuteronomy 21:23His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.Psalms 22:16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.Galatians 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Historical Context
Roman crucifixion was designed for maximum humiliation and public deterrence—victims displayed naked on main roads. Yet this 'shameful' death fulfilled Deuteronomy 21:23 ('cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'), enabling Jesus to become curse-bearer for humanity. The 'lifted up' language echoes Moses's bronze serpent (Numbers 21:9), providing healing through looking to the crucified One.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's control over the manner of His death demonstrate His sovereignty even in apparent defeat?
- What does the fulfillment of Christ's specific death predictions teach about trusting His other promises?
- How does the cross transform from symbol of shame to emblem of glory—what does this teach about God's ability to redeem suffering?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die—John explicitly connects these legal machinations to divine purpose. The verb πληρωθῇ (plērōthē, 'might be fulfilled') indicates prophetic necessity, not mere prediction. Jesus's saying (λόγος, logos) refers to His repeated prophecies of being 'lifted up' (ὑψωθῆναι, hypsōthēnai, John 3:14; 8:28; 12:32-33).
Signifying what death he should die (σημαίνων ποίῳ θανάτῳ ἤμελλεν ἀποθνῄσκειν, sēmainōn poiō thanatō ēmellen apothnēskein)—the verb σημαίνων (sēmainōn, 'signifying, indicating') appears in 12:33 and 21:19, marking Jesus's specific predictions. Crucifixion wasn't just execution but cosmic triumph: the cross becomes throne, shame becomes glory, curse becomes blessing (Galatians 3:13).