Devine Scripture

John 19:14

What does John 19:14 mean?

A plain-English look at John 19:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 19:14 means

It was the Preparation Day for Passover, specifically around the sixth hour (noon, in John's typically Roman reckoning). This timing is significant, as it corresponds with the time lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover meal. Pilate, in a final act of irony and perhaps subtle defiance, presents Jesus to them, declaring, "Behold, your King!" This pronouncement, though made in mockery or frustration, testifies to Jesus' true identity. The Jewish leaders, however, utterly reject this kingship.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now it was the Preparation of the passover: it was about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King!

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now it was the Preparation of the passover: it was about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King!

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

(It was the day when they made ready for the Passover; and it was about the sixth hour.) And he said to the Jews, There is your King!

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and it was the preparation of the passover, and as it were the sixth hour, and he saith to the Jews, `Lo, your king!'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it was the parasceve of the pasch, about the sixth hour: and he saith to the Jews: Behold your king.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

(now it was [the] preparation of the passover; it was about the sixth hour;) and he says to the Jews, Behold your king!

Context

This verse provides crucial temporal context—the Preparation of the Passover at roughly noon—immediately preceding Pilate's definitive pronouncement. It describes Pilate's final, pointed presentation of Jesus as "your King." This leads directly to the Jewish leaders' ultimate, blasphemous rejection of Jesus and their shocking declaration of allegiance to Caesar, marking the complete abandonment of their religious and national identity.

v.13When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment-seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

v.14This passage

v.15They 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.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 23:54

    And it was the day of the Preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

  • Mark 15:25

    And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.

  • John 19:5

    Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold, the man!

  • John 19:31

    The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

  • Matthew 27:62

    Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate,

  • John 19:42

    There then because of the Jews’ Preparation (for the tomb was nigh at hand) they laid Jesus.

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