John 19:28

28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things now have been finished, that the Writing may be fulfilled, saith, `I thirst;'

John 19:28 Meaning and Commentary

John 19:28

After this
After he had committed his mother to the care of John, which was about the sixth hour, before the darkness came over the land: and three hours after this was the following circumstance, which was not without the previous knowledge of Christ:

Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished;
or just upon being accomplished, were as good as finished; and as they were to be, would be in a very short time; even all things relating to his sufferings, and the circumstances of them, which were afore appointed by God, and foretold in prophecy, and of which he had perfect knowledge:

that the Scripture might be fulfilled:
might appear to have its accomplishment, which predicted the great drought and thirst that should be on him, ( Psalms 22:15 ) and that his enemies at such a time would give him vinegar to drink, ( Psalms 69:21 )

saith, I thirst;
which was literally true of him, and may be also understood spiritually of his great thirst and eager desire after the salvation of his people.

John 19:28 In-Context

26 Jesus, therefore, having seen [his] mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he was loving, he saith to his mother, `Woman, lo, thy son;'

27 afterward he saith to the disciple, `Lo, thy mother;' and from that hour the disciple took her to his own [home].

28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things now have been finished, that the Writing may be fulfilled, saith, `I thirst;'

29 a vessel, therefore, was placed full of vinegar, and they having filled a sponge with vinegar, and having put [it] around a hyssop stalk, did put [it] to his mouth;

30 when, therefore, Jesus received the vinegar, he said, `It hath been finished;' and having bowed the head, gave up the spirit.