John 19:18
Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐσταύρωσαν
they crucified
G4717
ἐσταύρωσαν
they crucified
Strong's:
G4717
Word #:
3 of 15
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐντεῦθεν
G1782
ἐντεῦθεν
Strong's:
G1782
Word #:
9 of 15
hence (literally or figuratively); (repeated) on both sides
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐντεῦθεν
G1782
ἐντεῦθεν
Strong's:
G1782
Word #:
11 of 15
hence (literally or figuratively); (repeated) on both sides
Historical Context
Crucifixion was Roman execution, not Jewish. Jews stoned blasphemers; Rome crucified rebels and slaves. By demanding crucifixion, the Jewish leaders unwittingly fulfilled Scripture ('hanged on a tree'—Deuteronomy 21:23) and made Jesus's death unmistakably a Roman execution for claiming kingship—the very charge they engineered. The centurion's later confession (Matthew 27:54) shows even pagans recognized what Israel's leaders rejected.
Questions for Reflection
- Why might John describe the crucifixion so tersely rather than dwelling on physical details?
- What does Jesus being 'in the midst' of two criminals reveal about His mission to seek and save the lost?
- How do the two thieves represent the only two possible responses to the cross?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Where they crucified him (ὅπου αὐτὸν ἐσταύρωσαν/hopou auton estaurōsan)—John states it with stark simplicity, without describing crucifixion's horrors. His readers knew them: scourging that flayed flesh, nails through wrists and feet, slow suffocation, dehydration, exposure, shame. The physical agony was matched by spiritual—bearing sin's curse (Galatians 3:13), experiencing the Father's wrath (Isaiah 53:10), tasting forsakenness (Matthew 27:46).
Two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst (μετ' αὐτοῦ ἄλλους δύο ἐντεῦθεν καὶ ἐντεῦθεν, μέσον δὲ τὸν Ἰησοῦν/met' autou allous dyo enteuthen kai enteuthen, meson de ton Iēsoun)—Jesus is numbered with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12). Yet even in this, divine irony: the King is enthroned between two subjects, a repentant thief and an unrepentant one (Luke 23:39-43), demonstrating the universal human choice—receive or reject the crucified King.