John 19:15
What does John 19:15 mean?
A plain-English look at John 19:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 19:15 means
The Jewish crowd responds with fervent cries of "Away with him, away with him, crucify him!" Pilate, possibly testing them or in exasperation, asks if he should crucify their King. The chief priests deliver a shocking and definitive answer: "We have no king but Caesar." This declaration is a profound rejection of their messianic hope and a betrayal of their national identity, prioritizing political expediency and Roman favor over their spiritual heritage and the true King of Israel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But they 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 Cesar.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then they gave a loud cry, Away with him! away with him! to the cross! Pilate said to them, Am I to put your King to death on the cross? The chief priests said in answer, We have no king but Caesar.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they cried out, `Take away, take away, crucify him;' Pilate saith to them, `Your king shall I crucify?' the chief priests answered, `We have no king except Caesar.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But they cried out: Away with him: Away with him: Crucify him. Pilate saith to them: shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered: We have no king but Caesar.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But they cried out, Take [him] away, take [him] away, crucify him. Pilate says to them, Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
Context
This verse records the Jewish leaders' final, vehement rejection of Jesus following Pilate's challenge to "Behold, your King!" Their shocking declaration of "no king but Caesar" immediately precedes Pilate's total capitulation. This exchange is the climax of Pilate's struggle, as he finally succumbs to their demands, turning Jesus over for crucifixion and setting in motion the ultimate fulfillment of prophecy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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 19:6
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.
- John 18:31
Pilate 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:
- Acts 22:22
And they gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
- Luke 23:18
But they cried out all together, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:—
- Acts 21:36
for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him.
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