Keraia
John 19

John 19:12

The Soldiers Mock Jesus · John 19:1–15
Read John 19

Translations

Modern
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”
Traditional
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Cesar.
Literal
From this time Pilate was seeking to release Him; but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you are not a friend of Caesar. Everyone making himself a king speaks against Caesar.”
Latin
Et exinde quærebat Pilatus dimittere eum. Judæi autem clamabant dicentes: Si hunc dimittis, non es amicus Cæsaris. Omnis enim qui se regem facit, contradicit Cæsari.

Interlinear

Greek
English
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”

Notes

John 19:12

  • Pilate tried to release Jesus each time they talked. Despite his efforts, he failed.

  • friend of Caesar: This was an official title for those, like senators, who showed great loyalty to the Roman emperor. The Jewish religious leaders implied they would damage Pilate's career by claiming he did not support Rome's interests. They probably knew that Pilate was also having a personal crisis.

    Pilate’s patron in Rome, Sejanus, was the chief administrator of the empire under Tiberius Caesar. Sejanus had fallen from favor and was executed in AD 31. Pilate had every reason to be afraid.

John 19:1–16

Pilate had Jesus beaten after his sentencing (Mark 15:15). However, John here describes an earlier beating. This was likely Pilate's attempt to show that Jesus had been punished and he could release him (John 19:4). When this failed, Pilate passed his sentence and handed Jesus over to the Jewish leaders for crucifixion (19:16).

Events

Parallels

Isaiah 50:4–11 Matthew 27:27–31 Mark 15:16–20 Luke 22:63–65

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province Pilate: Roman governor who presided over Jesus' trial Tiberius: Roman emperor during Jesus' ministry and death

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Caesarea Passion Pontius Pilate Procurator Tiberius

Topics

Cowardice: Pilate, in Condemning Jesus, Through Fear of the People Demagogism: Pilate Government: Corruption in Pilate, in Delivering Jesus to Death in Order to Please the Clamoring Multitude Indictments: The Second, of Treason Jesus, the Christ: Tried in Front of Pilate (In Jerusalem) King: Influenced by Popular Opinion: Pilate Politics: Pilate, Condemning Jesus to Gratify the Clamoring People Public Opinion: Corrupt Yielding To by Pilate