Devine Scripture

John 19:10

What does John 19:10 mean?

A plain-English look at John 19:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 19:10 means

Pilate, frustrated by Jesus' silence, reminds Him of his judicial authority, boasting about his power to either release or crucify Him. This statement reveals Pilate's desperate attempt to assert control and intimidate Jesus into speaking. He believes his position grants him ultimate authority in this situation, unaware that true power resides elsewhere. His words underscore the human arrogance that fails to recognize divine sovereignty, even when confronted with it directly.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Pilate said to him, You say nothing to me? is it not clear to you that I have power to let you go free and power to put you to death on the cross?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Pilate, therefore, saith to him, `To me dost thou not speak? hast thou not known that I have authority to crucify thee, and I have authority to release thee?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Pilate therefore saith to him: Speakest thou not to me? Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and I have power to release thee?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Pilate therefore says to him, Speakest thou not to me? Dost thou not know that I have authority to release thee and have authority to crucify thee?

Context

This verse details Pilate's exasperated reaction to Jesus' silence in the previous verse. His assertion of power is an attempt to force Jesus to speak and to acknowledge his authority. This boast will immediately be met by Jesus' profound counter-statement about the source of all authority, setting the stage for a critical theological declaration that challenges Pilate's worldly perspective.

v.9and he entered into the Prætorium again, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

v.10This passage

v.11Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Daniel 5:19

    and because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down.

  • John 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?

  • Daniel 3:14

    Nebuchadnezzar answered and said unto them, Is it of purpose, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that ye serve not my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

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