John 19

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

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?

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

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

But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priest answered, We have no king but Caesar.

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

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

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

What does John 19:9 mean?

Explanation

John 19:9 depicts a moment during the trial of Jesus Christ before His crucifixion.

Pilate, the Roman governor, takes Jesus back into the Praetorium after failing to placate the Jewish authorities who are demanding Jesus' execution.

Pilate's question, "Whence art thou?" seems to seek an understanding of Jesus' origins, possibly hinting at His deity or His claim as the King of the Jews.

Jesus' silent response reflects His acquiescence to the unfolding of events leading to His Passion and underscores His sovereignty, even in the face of apparent powerlessness.

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Historical Context

This verse is part of the Passion narrative in the Gospel of John, which recounts Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

The setting is Jerusalem during the time of Passover, a period of heightened religious sentiment among the Jews.

The Roman occupiers, represented by Pilate, are obliged to keep peace during this tumultuous festival.

Historical records suggest that Pilate was a Roman procurator known for his brutal administration; his interactions with Jesus reflect the complex dynamics between Roman authority and Jewish religious leadership.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse is significant in several ways. In Jesus' silence, there is an echo of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:7, portraying the suffering servant who is oppressed and afflicted, yet does not open His mouth. This marks His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

Furthermore, Jesus' silence can be seen as a demonstration of His submission to God's will , He does not defend Himself against false charges because He knows this process is necessary for the salvation of humanity.

Lastly, the verse is a testament to the incomprehension of worldly power when confronted with the divine mission of Christ.

Practical Applications

John 19:9 can serve as a meditation on the virtue of silence in the face of unjust suffering or provocation. It can teach individuals the power of restraint and the importance of aligning one's actions with a higher purpose, even when misunderstood or maligned.

This verse can also encourage believers to trust in God's plan during times of trial, recognizing that God's ways and means are often beyond human understanding.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:7 - "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."
Matthew 27:12-14 - "And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing."
Luke 23:9 - "Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing."

Language Study

The original Greek term for "Whence" is "πόθεν" (pothen), indicating the origin or source. Pilate's question goes beyond geographical origin to possibly probe into Jesus' divine nature.

The phrase "gave him no answer" is translated from "οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη" (ouk apekrithē), where "ἀπεκρίθη" (apekrithē) is a form of "ἀποκρίνομαι" (apokrinomai), meaning "to answer" or "respond." The use of "οὐκ" (ouk) means "not", reinforcing the deliberate nature of Jesus' silence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures and religious traditions, silence is often associated with wisdom, dignity, and divine presence.

Similar to Jesus' silence before Pilate, various figures in religious narratives maintain quiet stoicism in the face of accusation or suffering.

For example, in certain Buddhist texts, the Buddha occasionally remains silent when posed with metaphysical questions he deems unprofitable for spiritual growth.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives might explore the psychological effects of silence in human interactions, including its role in conflict resolution or power dynamics.

For example, silence can be a powerful tool to de-escalate a situation or to reflect inner peace and confidence.

Neuroscience also indicates that moments of silence can have restorative effects on the brain, promoting a sense of well-being that could be seen as relevant to the experience of Jesus as He faces His impending crucifixion.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have offered interpretations of this verse.

Some suggest that Jesus' silence before Pilate represents His acknowledgment of Pilate's limited understanding. Others see it as Jesus' resistance to engage with a political system that is about to unjustly execute Him.

Commentators also draw attention to the fulfillment of prophecy and the expression of divine sovereignty.

Many agree that Jesus' silence carries profound meaning, illustrating both His mastery over His own destiny and His deep commitment to fulfill His messianic role as described in the Scriptures.

John 19

John 19

What does John 19:9 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 19:9 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?