Bible Commentary

But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 39. ye have a custom ] Nothing is known of this custom beyond what is told us in the Gospels. Prisoners were sometimes released at Rome at … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:39”

Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault [at all.] 38. What is truth? ] Pilate does not ask about ‘ the Truth,’ but truth in any particular case. His question does not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:38”

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 37. Art thou … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:37”

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 36. My kingdom ] There is a strong emphasis on ‘My’ throughout the verse; ‘the kingdom that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:36”

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 35. Am I a Jew? ] ‘Is it likely that I, a Roman governor, have any interest in these Jewish questions?’ have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? ] Better, delivered … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:35”

Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 34. answered him ] Omit ‘him:’ the introductions to Joh 18:34-36 are alike in form and are solemn in their brevity. The Synoptists give merely a portion of the reply in Joh 18:37. tell it thee ] ‘It’ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:34”

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 33. Then Pilate ] Pilate therefore ( Joh 18:3). Because of the importunity of the Jews Pilate is obliged to investigate further; and being only Procurator, although cum potestate, has no Quaestor, but … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:33”

That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. 32. the saying ] Or word, Joh 12:32; Mat 20:19. what death ] Rather, by what manner of death, as in Joh 12:33 and Joh 21:19. So in Joh 10:32 the Greek means ‘for what kind of a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:32”

Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 31. Then said Pilate ] Pilate therefore ( Joh 18:3) said. If they will not make a specific charge, he will not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:31”

They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 30. a malefactor ] Literally, ‘doing evil’ or an evil-doer; not the same expression as Luk 23:32. The Jews are taken aback at Pilate’s evident intention of trying the case himself. They had expected … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:30”