Keraia
John 18

John 18:33

Jesus before Pilate · John 18:28–40
Read John 18

Translations

Modern
Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
Traditional
Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
Literal
Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and he called Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
Latin
Introivit ergo iterum in prætorium Pilatus: et vocavit Jesum, et dixit ei: Tu es rex Judæorum?

Interlinear

Greek
English
Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

Notes

John 18:33

  • Pilate was personally responsible for capital crimes in which the interests and security of the Roman Empire were at stake, so he began his formal legal inquiry.

  • Are You the King of the Jews?: To get the governor’s attention, Caiaphas accused Jesus of telling people not to pay taxes to Rome and claiming to be a king (Luke 23:2). To Pilate, Jesus might have seemed like another Jewish terrorist or revolutionary with ideas about the Messiah and a group of armed followers (see Luke 23:18–19; Acts 5:36–37).

John 18:1–40

Jesus finished speaking his final words to his disciples in the upper room (13:31–17:26). Jesus then left the city and went to a garden east of Jerusalem to pray. There, authorities arrested him and took him back into the city for questioning by the Jewish religious leaders. The important "hour" Jesus often mentioned throughout the Gospel had arrived (see 2:4; see also study note on 12:23).

Events

Parallels

Matthew 27:11–14 Luke 23:1–5

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province Pilate: Roman governor who presided over Jesus' trial

Glossary

Acts of Pilate Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Hall of Judgment Jesus Christ John, Gospel of Judge Passion Praetorium, Praetorian Guard Procurator Tiberius

Topics

Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Place of, Called the Hall of Judgment Indictments: The Second, of Treason Jesus, the Christ: Led by the Council to Pilate (In Jerusalem) Pleading: Jesus Declined to Plead Pontius Pilate: Tries Jesus and Orders his Crucifixion Pretorium: Also Called Praetorium, Common Hall, Judgment Hall, and Palace Prisoners: Jesus Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Being King in Zion: Fulfilled