John 19:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.

NIV: When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid,

NASB: Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid;

CSB: When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever.

NLT: When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever.

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

NKJV: Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid,

In Pilate's encounter with Jesus, it's clear he recognizes much of what's really happening. This is a personal feud on the part of Israel's religious leaders (Matthew 27:18; John 11:48–53). Jesus is no political revolutionary (John 18:36–38). Other gospel writers note that Pilate's wife is also worried about the prospect of harming Jesus (Matthew 27:19). When Pilate has Jesus brutally whipped and mocked, he thinks that might appease the mob (John 19:1–5). Instead, they demand His crucifixion (John 19:6).

Demanding such a brutal death seems to shock Pilate. Jerusalem's religious leaders explain that Jesus has committed blasphemy, something for which they want Him to suffer (John 19:7). They use the phrase "Son of God," accurately accusing Jesus of using that title (Matthew 26:63–66). What they probably don't expect is that this association only makes Pilate more reluctant.

Roman mythology included a host of demigods: men with one divine parent. To abuse a demigod could bring the wrath of that god. Saying that Jesus claims to be "Son of God" concerns Pilate enough to ask more questions, starting with "where are you from?" as shown in the next verse (John 19:9).

John 19:1–16 continues Jesus' interrogation by the Roman governor, Pilate. Pilate has already recognized Jesus' innocence and continues to look for ways to release Him without an execution. Religious leaders refuse this, using the threat of a riot to coerce the governor. Eventually, Pilate gives in and orders Jesus to be crucified. Parallel accounts are found in Matthew 27:24–30, Mark 15:12–15, and Luke 23:20–25.

Pilate recognizes Jesus' innocence, but fears the mob assembled by Jewish religious leaders. He attempts to satisfy them by having Jesus viciously whipped and mocked. This only results in more cries for Jesus' death. The governor then shifts to protect his own reputation, ordering Jesus to be crucified on a charge of being "King of the Jews." John is directly present as Jesus is executed. He notes the fulfillment of several prophecies as Jesus dies. Once He is confirmed to be dead, Jesus' body is taken by two friendly members of the ruling council. They hastily bury Him in the borrowed crypt of a rich man.

When Jesus was first brought to Pilate, His innocence was obvious (John 18:36–38). However, the mob refuses to be satisfied with anything less than crucifixion. Pilate gives in to these demands. John, who is present for the entire gory spectacle, notes several instances of fulfilled prophecy (Psalm 22:18; Psalm 69:21; Exodus 12:46; Zechariah 12:10). Jesus is then buried in the borrowed tomb of a rich man (Isaiah 53:9) to complete yet another Old Testament prediction. A guard will be posted to ensure no one steals the body (Matthew 27:62–68), which will only serve to confirm that Jesus' eventual resurrection was a true miracle (John 20:1–8).

The disciple John wrote the gospel of John decades after the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls "signs"— to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.