Sign in
JOHN 18:30 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 18:29John 18:31
“They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.”
They answered, 'If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.' — The leaders' evasion of specific charges (repeating instead a legal non-answer) reveals either weakness of evidence or confidence that Roman authorities will execute anyone the Sanhedrin condemns. The term "criminal" (kakopoios) is vague—Pilate can infer political crime (insurrection) but the true charges remain unstated. John emphasizes the leaders' reliance on Pilate's deference.

Church Fathers on John 18:30

The Evangelist returns to the part where he had left off, in order to relate Peter’s denial: Then led they Jesus to Caiaphas to the hall of judgment: to Caiaphas from his colleague and father in law Annas, as has been said. But If to Caiaphas, how to the praetorium, which was the place where the governor Pilate resided;

Augustine · 4th century

The praetorium is the place where the praetor sat. Praetors were called prefects and preceptors, because they issue decrees.

Bede · 8th century

He was led to Caiaphas before the cock crowed, but early in the morning to Pilate. Whereby the Evangelist shows, that all that night of examination, ended in proving nothing against Him; and that He was sent to Pilate in consequence. But leaving what passed then to the other Evangelists, he goes to what followed.

Chrysostom · 4th century
Read all 19 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!
John 18:30 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy