Sign in
JOHN 18:31 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 18:30John 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:”
Pilate said to them, 'Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.' The Jews replied, 'We are not permitted to put anyone to death.' — Pilate's deflection ("judge him by your law") tests the leaders' commitment; his tone is ambiguous—indifference or sarcasm. The leaders' response reveals historical reality: Roman authority monopolized capital punishment in Judea. Yet their statement also invokes divine law's supremacy: "We are not permitted" might reference Torah rather than Rome. Either way, Jesus' death requires Roman execution.

Church Fathers on John 18:31

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 18:31 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy