John 18:39
What does John 18:39 mean?
A plain-English look at John 18:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 18:39 means
Pilate, having found Jesus innocent of any Roman crime, reminds the Jewish crowd of their custom: releasing one prisoner during the Passover festival. He then presents them with a choice, asking, \"will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?\" This offer is Pilate's attempt to avoid condemning an innocent man, hoping the crowd would choose Jesus, especially given the charge of \"King of the Jews,\" which he perhaps saw as a harmless title or a way to mock the Jewish leaders.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But every year you make a request to me to let a prisoner go free at the Passover. Is it your desire that I let the King of the Jews go free?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and ye have a custom that I shall release to you one in the passover; will ye, therefore, <FI>that<Fi> I shall release to you the king of the Jews?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the Pasch. Will you, therefore, that I release unto you the king of the Jews?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But ye have a custom that I release [some] one to you at the passover; will ye therefore that I release unto you the king of the Jews?
Context
This verse follows Pilate's public declaration of Jesus' innocence to the Jewish leaders. It introduces the Passover custom of releasing a prisoner as Pilate's attempt to free Jesus, shifting the decision to the crowd. This sets the stage for the crowd's definitive choice and their rejection of Jesus, as detailed in the subsequent verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 27:20
Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
- Matthew 27:15
Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one prisoner, whom they would.
- Mark 15:6
Now at the feast he used to release unto them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.
- Luke 23:16
I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
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