John 18:39
But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Pilate's question is dripping with sarcasm, calling Jesus "the King of the Jews" to mockingly highlight the absurdity of his situation – a king bound in chains before a Roman governor. He uses the Passover custom not to genuinely offer freedom, but to throw Jesus to the crowd, forcing them to choose between a known criminal and the one he's just declared innocent.
Pilate, having already declared Jesus innocent, now tries a different tactic to appease the crowd and avoid executing an innocent man. He reminds them of a Passover custom where a prisoner is released, then mockingly offers them a choice between Jesus, the proclaimed "King of the Jews," and Barabbas, a notorious rebel. The crowd, stirred by the chief priests, immediately demands Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion.
Pilate asks Jesus if he's the King of the Jews, a title loaded with political expectations. But Jesus' answer redefines kingship entirely.
Jesus clarifies that his kingdom is not of this world. It's not about political power, earthly thrones, or military might.
A Kingdom of Truth
His kingdom is established through truth. Jesus' very purpose for coming was to bear witness to the truth. Those who belong to the truth, he says, will listen to him.
Spiritual Authority
This means his reign is over the hearts and consciences of people, not over nations or territories. His power is spiritual, conquering sin and Satan, not through force but through the compelling evidence of truth.
Pilate uses the Passover custom of releasing a prisoner to try and save Jesus, but the choice offered highlights a tragic misunderstanding of who Jesus is.
The Passover was a time of remembrance and liberation for Israel, celebrating their exodus from slavery in Egypt.
A Deliberate Choice
Pilate presents a choice between Jesus, whom he declared innocent, and Barabbas, a known criminal and insurrectionist. This custom, meant to signify freedom, becomes the stage for the ultimate unfreedom – the people choosing a rebel over their King.
Misplaced Loyalty
Instead of releasing their Messiah, the King of the Jews, the crowd, stirred by the chief priests, demands the release of a murderer. This custom, ironically, exposes the people's rejection of the very liberation Jesus came to offer.
Understand the original words
pascha · Greek Noun
A Jewish festival commemorating the deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It serves as a shadow of the ultimate deliverance from sin through the blood of Christ, the true Passover Lamb.
This verse highlights Pilate's attempt to navigate political pressure during the Passover festival. The custom of releasing a prisoner was a Roman concession, but Pilate uses it sarcastically to put the crowd in the position of choosing between a genuine King and a criminal, revealing their true allegiance and the flawed nature of human justice.
c. 27-30 AD
Pilate's Governorship in Judea
Pontius Pilate served as the Roman prefect (governor) of Judea, ruling from Caesarea Maritima. His tenure was marked by a desire to maintain order, often through harsh means, and by his interactions with Jewish religious leaders and the populace.
During Jesus' ministry, likely c. 27-30 AD— this verse
The Passover Custom Mentioned
A custom existed, possibly instituted by Roman authorities, of releasing a prisoner to the Jewish people during the Passover festival. The origin and exact nature of this custom are not precisely known, but it was a practice Pilate could leverage.
Passover week, c. 27-30 AD
Jesus Presented to Pilate
Following his arrest and preliminary questioning, Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate by the Jewish authorities on charges that Pilate found lacking substance. Pilate declared Jesus innocent multiple times.
Passover week, c. 27-30 AD
This passage describes the same custom of releasing a prisoner at the Passover, highlighting the crowd's choice of Barabbas over Jesus and Pilate's role in the decision.
Mark 15:6Similar to John, Mark mentions Pilate's offer to release a prisoner at the feast, showing Pilate's attempt to appease the crowd.
Luke 23:17Luke also recounts Pilate's custom of releasing a prisoner during the Passover festival, emphasizing the choice between Jesus and Barabbas.
John 1:49This verse introduces Nathanael's recognition of Jesus as 'King of Israel,' which parallels Pilate's sarcastic title 'King of the Jews' in John 18:39, highlighting the different understandings of Jesus' kingship.
John 19:14This verse describes Pilate presenting Jesus to the crowd with the title 'King of the Jews,' directly linking to the taunt and the custom mentioned in John 18:39.
vincentJohn 18:39: "But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?"
Ye have a customThe word συνήθεια, custom, originally means intimacy, habitual intercourse, and thence naturally passes into the meaning of habit or custom. Only John puts the statement of this custom into the mouth of Pilate. Matthew and Mark relate it as a fact.At the Passover (ἐν τῷ πάσχα)More specific than Matthew and Mark, where the ex…
henryJohn 18:33-40: "Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?"
18:33-40 Art thou the King of the Jews? that King of the Jews who has been so long expected? Messiah the Prince; art thou he? Dost thou call thyself so, and wouldest thou be thought so? Christ answered this question with another; not for evasion, but that Pilate might consider what he did. He never took upon him any earthly power, never were any traitorous princ…
Pilate's question is dripping with sarcasm, calling Jesus "the King of the Jews" to mockingly highlight the absurdity of his situation – a king bound in chains before a Roman governor. He uses the Passover custom not to genuinely offer freedom, but to throw Jesus to the crowd, forcing them to choose between a known criminal and the one he's just declared innocent.
Pilate, having already declared Jesus innocent, now tries a different tactic to appease the crowd and avoid executing an innocent man. He reminds them of a Passover custom where a prisoner is released, then mockingly offers them a choice between Jesus, the proclaimed "King of the Jews," and Barabbas, a notorious rebel. The crowd, stirred by the chief priests, immediately demands Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion.
Pilate, having already declared Jesus innocent, now tries a different tactic to appease the crowd and avoid executing an innocent man. He reminds them of a Passover custom where a prisoner is released, then mockingly offers them a choice between Jesus, the proclaimed "King of the Jews," and Barabbas, a notorious rebel. The crowd, stirred by the chief priests, immediately demands Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion.
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The Choice Between Jesus and Barabbas
Pilate, seeking to appease the crowds and perhaps avoid further conflict, offered them a choice between releasing Jesus or a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. The crowd, incited by the chief priests, demanded Barabbas' release and Jesus' crucifixion.
"But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”" — Pilate's question is dripping with sarcasm, calling Jesus "the King of the Jews" to mockingly highlight the absurdity of his situation – a king bound in chains before a Roman governor. He uses the Pa…
