John 19:5
What does John 19:5 mean?
A plain-English look at John 19:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 19:5 means
Jesus emerges, still wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, a figure of profound suffering and humiliation. Pilate presents Him to the crowd with the poignant words, "Behold, the man!" This phrase, "Ecce Homo" in Latin, can be seen as an appeal for compassion or a declaration of His brokenness. Yet, in His suffering, Jesus embodies the perfect man, submitting to God's will and fulfilling prophecy, standing as a testament to the depths of divine love and human cruelty.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold, the man!
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold, the man!
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Jesus came out with the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, Here is the man!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus, therefore, came forth without, bearing the thorny crown and the purple garment; and he saith to them, `Lo, the man!'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752(Jesus therefore came forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment.) And he saith to them: Behold the Man.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890(Jesus therefore went forth without, wearing the crown of thorn, and the purple robe.) And he says to them, Behold the man!
Context
This verse describes Jesus' appearance after the scourging and mockery, as Pilate presents Him before the crowd. It directly follows Pilate's declaration of Jesus' innocence and sets the scene for the Jewish leaders' unyielding demand for crucifixion. Pilate's words aim to elicit a sympathetic response, but they will be met with intense opposition, demonstrating the crowd's hardened resolve.
v.4And Pilate went out again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him out to you, that ye may know that I find no crime in him.
v.5This passage
v.6When 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 19:2
And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple garment;
- Isaiah 43:1
But now thus saith Jehovah that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine.
- Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Isaiah 40:9
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up on a high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God!
- John 1:29
On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
- Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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