John 18:31
What does John 18:31 mean?
A plain-English look at John 18:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 18:31 means
Pilate, frustrated by their vague accusation, challenges the Jewish leaders, saying, \"Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.\" He essentially tells them to handle it themselves if they have no specific Roman charge. Their response reveals their true motives: \"It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.\" This exposes their need for Roman sanction for a death sentence, which Jewish law, under Roman occupation, denied them, thus explaining why they brought Jesus to Pilate.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Pilate therefore said unto them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Pilate therefore said unto them, Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Pilate said to them, Take him yourselves and let him be judged by your law. But the Jews said to him, We have no right to put any man to death.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Pilate, therefore, said to them, `Take ye him--ye--and according to your law judge him;' the Jews, therefore, said to him, `It is not lawful to us to put any one to death;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Pilate therefore said to them: Take him you, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said to him: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Pilate therefore said to them, Take him, ye, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said to him, It is not permitted to us to put any one to death;
Context
This verse captures a critical exchange between Pilate and the Jewish leaders, where he presses them for clarity. Their response regarding their inability to execute capital punishment highlights the absolute necessity of Roman involvement for Jesus' death. This explanation immediately leads to a reflection on how this fulfills Jesus' prophetic words about His manner of death.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 25:18
Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;
- John 19:6
When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Take him yourselves, and crucify him: for I find no crime in him.
- Ezekiel 21:26
thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Remove the mitre, and take off the crown; this shall be no more the same; exalt that which is low, and abase that which is high.
- Hosea 3:4
For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king, and without prince, and without sacrifice, and without pillar, and without ephod or teraphim:
- Genesis 49:10
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the obedience of the peoples be.
- John 19:15
They therefore cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar.
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