Jesus Before Pilate
John 18:28-40
John.18.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αγουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Καιαφα: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πραιτωριον·ην: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- πρωι·και: ADV
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εισηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πραιτωριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- μιανθωσιν: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,pl
- αλλα: CONJ
- φαγωσιν: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πασχα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
Parallels
- Mark 15:1 (structural): Like John 18:28, Mark reports that early in the morning Jesus was brought before Pilate — parallel movement from Jewish leadership to the Roman praetorium.
- Matthew 27:1-2 (structural): Matthew likewise describes the chief priests and elders bringing Jesus to Pilate in the morning, echoing the transfer from Caiaphas to the governor's hall.
- Luke 23:1 (structural): Luke records the whole assembly rising and leading Jesus before Pilate, a parallel account of the Jewish leaders presenting Jesus to the Roman authority.
- John 19:14 (verbal): John later specifies that it was the day of Preparation for the Passover, directly connecting the timing in 18:28 with the Passover/Preparation chronology.
- Numbers 9:6-13 (allusion): The provision allowing those defiled by contact with a corpse to delay Passover explains the concern about ritual defilement in 18:28 — why the Jewish leaders avoided entering the praetorium so they could eat the Passover.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the praetorium; it was early. They themselves did not enter, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
- Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters; it was early morning. But they themselves did not enter the headquarters, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
John.18.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Πιλατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εξω: ADV
- προς: PREP
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- φησιν·Τινα: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg+PRON,acc,sg,m
- κατηγοριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- φερετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- κατα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- John 18:30 (structural): Immediate response to Pilate's question—the Jewish leaders state they would not have handed Jesus over if he were not a criminal (continuation of the same judicial exchange).
- Luke 23:14-15 (thematic): Pilate's examination of the charges and his statement that he finds no basis for the accusations parallels John’s depiction of Pilate questioning the accusers and probing the legal grounds for the case.
- Matthew 27:11 (verbal): Pilate questions Jesus directly about his status ('Are you the King of the Jews?'), reflecting the governor's interrogative role in determining the nature of the charges against the accused.
- Mark 15:2 (verbal): Parallel account of Pilate's interrogation of Jesus (similar question and courtroom procedure), highlighting the common Gospel portrayal of Pilate probing the alleged political charge.
- Acts 25:18-19 (structural): Festus (another Roman governor) hears Jewish leaders bring accusations they cannot prove—a parallel legal situation illustrating Roman governors requiring formal charges and evidence from Jewish accusers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Pilate therefore went outside to them and said, "What charge do you bring against this man?"
- Pilate therefore went out to them and said, 'What accusation do you bring against this man?'
John.18.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθησαν: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ειπαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτω·Ει: PRON,dat,3,sg,m
- μη: PART
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ποιων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αν: PART
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- παρεδωκαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 23:2 (thematic): The Jewish leaders present formal accusations to Pilate—claiming Jesus is a law‑breaker/subverter—similar to their statement here that they would not have handed him over if he were not doing wrong.
- Mark 15:3–5 (thematic): The chief priests accuse Jesus before Pilate and Pilate questions him, ultimately finding no fault—paralleling the exchange in John where the Jewish leaders insist Jesus is an evildoer to justify their delivery of him.
- Matthew 27:23–24 (thematic): The crowd insist on Jesus’ condemnation and demand crucifixion, pressing Pilate to act against Jesus as one guilty of wrongdoing—reflecting the prosecutorial stance expressed in John 18:30.
- John 18:31 (structural): Immediate Johannine context: Pilate points out Jewish authorities lack the legal right to execute, a procedural response to their claim in 18:30 that they handed Jesus over because he was an evildoer.
Alternative generated candidates
- They answered him, "If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you."
- They answered him, 'If he were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered him over to you.'
John.18.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Πιλατος·Λαβετε: PROPN,nom,sg,m + VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- κατα: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- νομον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- κρινατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ειπον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Ιουδαιοι·Ημιν: NOUN,nom,pl,m + PRON,dat,pl,1
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εξεστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αποκτειναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ουδενα·: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- John 19:7 (verbal): Direct continuation: the Jewish leaders insist their own law requires Jesus' death, answering Pilate's claim that they cannot execute anyone (explicitly invokes their law as the basis for death).
- John 19:10–11 (thematic): Pilate asserts his authority to release or crucify (‘‘Have you no power…?’’), and Jesus replies that Pilate's power is granted from above—both passages bear on the question of who legitimately holds capital jurisdiction.
- Matthew 27:24–26 (structural): Pilate publicly washes his hands and ultimately hands Jesus over to be crucified at the crowd's demand—parallel development of Pilate’s reluctance and the transfer of responsibility for execution.
- Acts 25:10–12 (thematic): Illustrates Roman monopoly over appeals and ultimate judicial authority (‘‘to Caesar you have appealed’’), paralleling the Johannine motif that Jews lacked legal power to carry out capital sentences under Roman rule.
- Deuteronomy 17:6–7 (allusion): Old Testament law on capital punishment (requiring testimony of two or three witnesses) provides legal background for Jewish claims about lawful procedures for execution and helps explain the leaders' appeal to 'our law.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death."
- Pilate said to them, 'Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.' The Jews said to him, 'It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.'
John.18.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λογος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πληρωθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- σημαινων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- ποιω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- θανατω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ημελλεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αποθνησκειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- John 12:33 (verbal): Same explanatory clause in John’s Gospel: Jesus’ earlier remark is said to 'show by what kind of death he was to die'—an almost identical formula linking Jesus’ words to their fulfillment.
- John 10:17-18 (thematic): Jesus speaks of laying down his life and having authority to take it up again—the theme of his voluntary death echoes the idea that his own words predicted the manner of his death.
- Mark 10:33-34 (thematic): A synoptic prediction of Jesus’ suffering, mockery, flogging, and death; parallels the New Testament motif of Jesus foretelling the details and necessity of his death.
- Isaiah 53:5-6 (allusion): The Suffering Servant passages (pierced, crushed for our sins) provide the prophetic backdrop for New Testament declarations that Jesus’ death fulfills foretold suffering.
Alternative generated candidates
- This was to fulfill the word Jesus had spoken, signifying by what kind of death he was about to die.
- This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken, indicating by what kind of death he was to die.
John.18.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εισηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πραιτωριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Πιλατος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εφωνησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Συ: PRON,dat,sg,m + PRON,nom,sg,2
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:11 (quotation): Pilate asks Jesus the same question—'Are you the King of the Jews?'—a synoptic report of the interrogation found here in John.
- Mark 15:2 (quotation): Mark records Pilate's identical question, paralleling John's account of the charge of kingship brought before the governor.
- Luke 23:3 (quotation): Luke likewise preserves Pilate's question to Jesus about being 'King of the Jews,' showing the common trial motif in the Gospels.
- John 18:37 (structural): Immediate Johannine parallel: Pilate again addresses Jesus' kingship theme and Jesus responds, developing the theological meaning of his 'kingdom'.
- Psalm 2:2 (allusion): An Old Testament backdrop for the charge of kingship—nations and rulers oppose 'the LORD and his Anointed'—illuminating the political and messianic stakes of calling Jesus 'king.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Pilate then entered the praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
- Pilate therefore entered again into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?'
John.18.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους·Απο: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- σεαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- λεγεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αλλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ειπον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- περι: PREP
- εμου: PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Matthew 27:11 (quotation): Pilate's question to Jesus at his trial — the Synoptic parallel to John 18:33–34; Jesus' acknowledgement/response to the question about his kingship corresponds to the same exchange in Matthew.
- Mark 15:2 (quotation): Direct Synoptic parallel: Pilate asks whether Jesus is the King of the Jews and receives a brief, guarded reply — parallels the trial-question context to which John 18:34 responds.
- Luke 23:3 (quotation): Another Synoptic parallel of Pilate's interrogation and Jesus' affirmative/ambiguous response about being 'king' — echoes the same judicial exchange addressed in John 18:34.
- Mark 8:29 (thematic): Jesus' probing of who others say he is and then asking the disciples for their own answer ('But who do you say that I am?') parallels the theme of distinguishing secondhand reports from direct testimony found in John 18:34.
- John 18:37 (structural): Immediate Johannine continuation of the trial dialogue in which Jesus clarifies the nature of his kingship and witness/truth — directly linked to the question in 18:34 about the source of Pilate's information.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or have others told you about me?"
- Jesus answered, 'Do you say this of your own accord, or have others told you about me?'
John.18.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Πιλατος·Μητι: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- Ιουδαιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εθνος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- σον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- παρεδωκαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- εμοι·τι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- εποιησας: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,sg
Parallels
- John 18:36-38 (structural): Immediate continuation of the Pilate–Jesus dialogue: Pilate's question in v.35 is followed by Jesus' answer about his kingdom and Pilate's further probing and verdict (’What is truth?’).
- John 18:30 (verbal): Earlier in the same chapter the Jewish leaders insist they would not have handed Jesus over if he were not a criminal—paralleling v.35's reference to the nation and chief priests having ‘handed you over.’
- Matthew 27:11-14 (verbal): Pilate's interrogation of Jesus about kingship and Jesus' restrained responses echo John’s account of Pilate questioning Jesus and asking what he has done (both passages highlight Roman interrogation and Jesus' limited answers).
- Mark 15:2-5 (verbal): Mark records Pilate questioning Jesus and being astonished at his silence and lack of defense—paralleling John’s scene where Pilate presses Jesus about the charges and the handing over by Jewish leaders.
- Luke 23:1-4 (thematic): The Jewish leaders present accusations to Pilate and claim Jesus is subverting the nation; this parallels John 18:35’s depiction of the leaders’ role in delivering Jesus to Roman authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?"
- Pilate answered, 'Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?'
John.18.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- Ιησους·Η: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εμη: PRON,poss,nom,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τουτου·ει: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τουτου: DEM,gen,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εμη: PRON,poss,nom,sg,f
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- υπηρεται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- ηγωνιζοντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- αν: PART
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- παραδοθω: VERB,aor,pass,subj,1,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- Ιουδαιοις·νυν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εμη: PRON,poss,nom,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εντευθεν: ADV
Parallels
- John 8:23 (verbal): Uses the same contrast language — 'you are of this world; I am not of this world' — directly echoing Jesus' claim that his realm is not of this earthly order.
- John 17:14-16 (allusion): Jesus speaks of his followers as 'not of the world' and consequently kept/guarded from the world's domain, reflecting the same separation between Jesus' reign and worldly authority.
- Luke 17:20-21 (thematic): Describes the kingdom of God as not arriving with visible political signs and as 'among/within you,' paralleling the idea that Jesus' kingdom is not a worldly, political realm.
- Philippians 3:20 (thematic): Paul's statement that 'our citizenship is in heaven' echoes the contrast between earthly belonging and allegiance to a heavenly kingdom, similar to Jesus' 'my kingdom is not of this world.'
- Romans 14:17 (thematic): Defines the kingdom in non‑worldly terms ('righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit'), reinforcing Jesus' claim that his kingdom does not belong to the present worldly order.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from here."
- Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here.'
John.18.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Πιλατος·Ουκουν: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- απεκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους·Συ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λεγεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- εις: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- γεγεννημαι: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- εληλυθα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κοσμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- μαρτυρησω: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- αληθεια·πας: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αληθειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ακουει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- φωνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- John 18:36 (structural): Immediate context in the same Pilate dialogue: Jesus qualifies his kingship—'My kingdom is not of this world'—which clarifies what he means by being 'king' and why he came into the world.
- Mark 15:2 (verbal): Synoptic parallel to Pilate's question about kingship and Jesus' laconic reply ('You say so' / σὺ λέγεις). Similar wording and judicial setting connecting claims of kingship.
- John 14:6 (verbal): Jesus' self-identification as 'the way, the truth, and the life' connects directly to John 18:37's claim that he came to 'testify to the truth'—a central Johannine self-claim about the person and mission of Jesus.
- John 8:14–18 (thematic): Jesus speaks of testifying to the truth about his origin and mission ('even if I bear witness about myself, my testimony is true' and the Father also testifies). This echoes the theme in 18:37 of coming into the world to give witness to the truth.
Alternative generated candidates
- Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."
- Pilate therefore said to him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.'
John.18.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Πιλατος·Τι: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αληθεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- Και: CONJ
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ειπων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- παλιν: ADV
- εξηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- Ιουδαιους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Εγω: PRON,dat,pl,m;PRON,nom,sg,m
- ουδεμιαν: ADJ,f,acc,sg
- ευρισκω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- αιτιαν·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- John 18:37 (verbal): Immediate context: Jesus tells Pilate he came to 'bear witness to the truth,' which directly precedes and is answered by Pilate's question 'What is truth?'. (Direct thematic/verbal link.)
- John 19:4 (verbal): Pilate repeats the verdict, again declaring he finds no basis/charge against Jesus when presenting him to the crowd—verbal repetition of 'I find no fault/charge in him.'
- John 14:6 (thematic): Jesus' self-identification as 'the way, the truth, and the life' frames Pilate's skeptical question 'What is truth?' as a dramatic irony and theological counterpoint.
- Luke 23:4 (verbal): Luke records Pilate's declaration that Jesus has done nothing deserving death ('I find no basis for a charge against this man'), parallel to John's account of Pilate's verdict of no fault.
- Matthew 27:24 (structural): Matthew narrates Pilate's public attempt to absolve himself (washing his hands and declaring innocence of the blood of this righteous man), a parallel motif of Pilate denying responsibility after finding no culpability in Jesus.
Alternative generated candidates
- Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After saying this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in him."
- Pilate said to him, 'What is truth?' And when he had said this he went out again to the Jews and said to them, 'I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one for you at the Passover; do you want me then to release for you the King of the Jews?'
John.18.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- συνηθεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ινα: CONJ
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
- απολυσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πασχα·βουλεσθε: NOUN,dat,sg,n+VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- απολυσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- βασιλεα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:15 (verbal): Explicitly mentions the same Passover custom of releasing one prisoner to the crowd, paralleling Pilate's statement and setting for the choice between Jesus and Barabbas.
- Mark 15:6 (verbal): Contains the same wording about Pilate's custom of releasing a prisoner at the feast, a close verbal parallel to John's description of the Passover practice.
- Luke 23:17 (structural): Explains the legal/ceremonial background ('for they had a custom') that obliges the release of one prisoner at the feast, providing the same explanatory framework for Pilate's offer.
- John 18:40 (structural): Immediate narrative sequel in John showing the crowd choosing Barabbas to be released, directly fulfilling the custom Pilate cites in 18:39.
Alternative generated candidates
- But you have a custom that I should release one man to you at the Passover; do you want me then to release to you the King of the Jews?"
- They cried out all together, 'Not this man, but Barabbas!' (Now Barabbas was a robber.)
John.18.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εκραυγασαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- λεγοντες·Μη: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- τουτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Βαραββαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Βαραββας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ληστης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 27:16-26 (verbal): Matthew recounts the same episode: the crowd chooses Barabbas to be released instead of Jesus (language and sequence closely parallel).
- Mark 15:6-15 (verbal): Mark's narrative parallels John here, describing Pilate's offer to release a prisoner and the crowd asking for Barabbas rather than Jesus (similar wording and setting).
- Luke 23:18-25 (verbal): Luke records the crowd demanding Barabbas' release and Jesus' condemnation, emphasizing the crowd's choice of a prisoner/insurrectionist over Jesus (parallel episode and motive).
- John 19:15 (structural): Later in John the crowd's rejection of Jesus is reiterated ('We have no king but Caesar'), continuing the theme of public repudiation that began with choosing Barabbas.
- Isaiah 53:4-6 (thematic): Isaiah's servant-song presents the innocent one bearing others' sins — a theological parallel to the idea of the guilty (Barabbas) being spared while the innocent (Jesus) suffers by substitution.
Alternative generated candidates
- They cried out again, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a rebel and a murderer.
- Pilate said to them, 'Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?' They cried out, 'Crucify him!' Pilate said, 'Why, what evil has he done?' But they cried out all the more, 'Crucify him!'
Then they led Jesus from the high priest's house to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning, and they themselves did not enter the headquarters so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, 'What accusation do you bring against this man?'
They answered him, 'If this man were not a wrongdoer, we would not have handed him over to you.'
Pilate said to them, 'Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.' The Jews said to him, 'It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.'
(This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken, indicating by what death he was to die.) So Pilate entered the headquarters again, called Jesus, and said to him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?'
Jesus answered, 'Do you say this of your own accord, or did others tell you about me?'
Pilate replied, 'Am I a Jew? Your own people and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?'
Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting that I might not be delivered to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from here.' So Pilate said to him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth hears my voice.'
Pilate said to him, 'What is truth?' After saying this he went out again to the Jews and said to them, 'I find no guilt in him.' But you have a custom that I should release one prisoner to you at the Passover. Do you wish that I release to you the King of the Jews?'
They cried out, 'Not this man, but Barabbas!' Now Barabbas was a robber.