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JOHN 18:34 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
John 18:33John 18:35
Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
Jesus answered, 'Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?' — Jesus' counterquestion distinguishes Pilate's personal judgment from hearsay allegations. The question invites Pilate to reflect: have you examined this yourself, or do you simply repeat charges? Jesus' method turns the interrogation into examination of the examiner's method and motive. The distinction between personal inquiry and parroted accusation opens space for Pilate's potential neutrality.

Church Fathers on John 18:34

Pilate, wishing to rescue Him from the hatred of the c Jews, protracted the trial a long time. Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall, and called Jesus.

Chrysostom · 4th century

i.e. Apart, because he had a strong suspicion that He was innocent, and thought he could examine Him more accurately, away from the crowd: and said to Him, Are you the King of the Jews?

Theophylact · 11th century

Wherein Pilate shows that the Jews had charged Him with calling Himself King of the Jews.

Alcuin · 8th century
Read all 20 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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