John 18:39

But it is your custom that I release one prisoner ¹  for you at the Passover. ²  So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?”

biblegateway Joh 18:39

But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?"

biblegateway Joh 18:39

"But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?"

biblegateway Joh 18:39

But you have a custom of asking me to release someone from prison each year at Passover. So if you want me to, I’ll release the King of the Jews."

biblegateway Joh 18:39

It's your custom that I pardon one prisoner at Passover. Do you want me to pardon the 'King of the Jews'?"

SABDAweb Joh 18:39

But every year you make a request to me to let a prisoner go free at the Passover. Is it your desire that I let the King of the Jews go free?

bibleoremus Joh 18:39

But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?"

biblegateway Joh 18:39

"But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"

biblegateway Joh 18:39

But it is your custom that I release one prisoner ¹  for you at the Passover. ²  So do you want me to release for you the king of the Jews?”

¹ tn The word “prisoner” is not in the Greek text but is implied.

² sn Pilate then offered to release Jesus, reminding the Jewish authorities that they had a custom that he release one prisoner for them at the Passover. There is no extra-biblical evidence alluding to the practice. It is, however, mentioned in Matthew and Mark, described either as a practice of Pilate (Mark 15:6) or of the Roman governor (Matt 27:15). These references may explain the lack of extra-biblical attestation: The custom to which Pilate refers here (18:39) is not a permanent one acknowledged by all the Roman governors, but one peculiar to Pilate as a means of appeasement, meant to better relations with his subjects. Such a limited meaning is certainly possible and consistent with the statement here.