Joh 19:17 | MHM | STEP | v. 17 : The soldiers quickly take Jesus away to be crucified. The priests and soldiers both want to finish the execution before Pilate changes his mind, and to prevent any trouble among the people. Jesus is forced to carry his own cross, which was the Roman custom (John 19:17 ). This was very hard for Jesus, whose body was already weak and wounded. Each person who was crucified had to carry their own cross, just as Isaac once carried the wood for his own sacrifice (Genesis 22:6 ). Jesus carries the cross as a symbol that he took our sins upon himself (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24 ). By carrying the cross, Jesus teaches us to take up our own crosses and follow him (Matthew 16:24 ). He carried the heaviest part, so he can help us with our struggles.

‏ John 19:17

v. 17: The soldiers quickly take Jesus away to be crucified. The priests and soldiers both want to finish the execution before Pilate changes his mind, and to prevent any trouble among the people. Jesus is forced to carry his own cross, which was the Roman custom (John 19:17 ^a). This was very hard for Jesus, whose body was already weak and wounded. Each person who was crucified had to carry their own cross, just as Isaac once carried the wood for his own sacrifice (Genesis 22:6 ^b). Jesus carries the cross as a symbol that he took our sins upon himself (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24 ^c). By carrying the cross, Jesus teaches us to take up our own crosses and follow him (Matthew 16:24 ^d). He carried the heaviest part, so he can help us with our struggles.