John 18:28

Jesus Brought Before Pilate

18:28 Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s residence. ¹  (Now it was very early morning.) ²  They ³  did not go into the governor’s residence ⁴  so they would not be ceremonially defiled, but could eat the Passover meal.

John 18:33

Pilate Questions Jesus

18:33 So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, ⁵  summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” ⁶ 

[18:28]  ¹ tn Grk “to the praetorium.”

[18:28]  ² sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

[18:28]  ³ tn Grk “And they.” The conjunction καί (kai, “and”) has not been translated here in keeping with the tendency of contemporary English style to use shorter sentences.

[18:28]  ⁴ tn Grk “into the praetorium.”

[18:33]  ⁵ tn Grk “into the praetorium.”

[18:33]  ⁶ sn It is difficult to discern Pilate’s attitude when he asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Some have believed the remark to be sarcastic or incredulous as Pilate looked at this lowly and humble prisoner: “So you’re the king of the Jews, are you?” Others have thought the Roman governor to have been impressed by Jesus’ regal disposition and dignity, and to have sincerely asked, “Are you really the king of the Jews?” Since it will later become apparent (v. 38) that Pilate considered Jesus innocent (and therefore probably also harmless) an attitude of incredulity is perhaps most likely, but this is far from certain in the absence of clear contextual clues.