John 18:33

Pilate Questions Jesus

18:33 So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, ¹  summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” ² 

John 18:35

18:35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? ³  Your own people ⁴  and your chief priests handed you over ⁵  to me. What have you done?”

John 19:4

19:4 Again Pilate went out and said to the Jewish leaders, ⁶  “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no reason for an accusation ⁷  against him.”

John 19:10

19:10 So Pilate said, ⁸  “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have the authority ⁹  to release you, and to crucify you?” ¹⁰ 

John 19:13

19:13 When Pilate heard these words he brought Jesus outside and sat down on the judgment seat ¹¹  in the place called “The Stone Pavement” ¹²  (Gabbatha in ¹³  Aramaic). ¹⁴ 

John 19:19

19:19 Pilate also had a notice ¹⁵  written and fastened to the cross, ¹⁶  which read: ¹⁷  “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.”

[18:33]  ¹ tn Grk “into the praetorium.”

[18:33]  ² 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.

[18:35]  ³ sn Many have seen in Pilate’s reply “I am not a Jew, am I?” the Roman contempt for the Jewish people. Some of that may indeed be present, but strictly speaking, all Pilate affirms is that he, as a Roman, has no firsthand knowledge of Jewish custom or belief. What he knows of Jesus must have come from the Jewish authorities. They are the ones (your own people and your chief priests) who have handed Jesus over to Pilate.

[18:35]  ⁴ tn Or “your own nation.”

[18:35]  ⁵ tn Or “delivered you over.”

[19:4]  ⁵ tn Grk “to them.” The words “the Jewish leaders” are supplied from John 18:38 for clarity.

[19:4]  ⁶ tn Or “find no basis for an accusation”; Grk “find no cause.”

[19:10]  ⁷ tn Grk “said to him.” The words “to him” are not translated because they are unnecessary in contemporary English style.

[19:10]  ⁸ tn Or “the power.”

[19:10]  ⁹ tn Grk “know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify you.” Repetition of “the authority” is unnecessarily redundant English style.

[19:13]  ⁹ tn Or “the judge’s seat.”

[19:13]  ¹⁰ sn The precise location of the place called ‘The Stone Pavement’ is still uncertain, although a paved court on the lower level of the Fortress Antonia has been suggested. It is not certain whether it was laid prior to a.d. 135, however.

[19:13]  ¹¹ tn Grk “in Hebrew.”

[19:13]  ¹² sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

[19:19]  ¹¹ tn Or “an inscription.”

[19:19]  ¹² tn Grk “Pilate also wrote a notice and placed it on the cross.” The two verbs should be read as causatives, since it is highly unlikely that the Roman governor would perform either of these actions himself. He ordered them to be done.

[19:19]  ¹³ tn Grk “Now it was written.”